The Mysticism of Ordinary and Extraordinary Experience
Foreword by Dale E. Graff
Imprint: Resource Publications
We are so much more than we appear to be. The "why" of our existence is far more complex than the "how" of our being. Mysticism probes the hidden nature of who we are, why we are, and our relationship to our Creator. We catch glimpses of this not only in the ordinary experiences of life, but also through extraordinary and unusual encounters with mystery. Mysticism is the awareness of our reality.
Harry L. Serio is a minister in the United Church of Christ, past-president of the Academy for Spiritual and Consciousness Studies, Inc., and the author of The Dwelling Place of Wonder (2016). Visit his website at www.harryserio.com.
“This slender volume is a gem. In a lively fashion, spiced with snippets of history and personal anecdotes, it opens the door to modes of experience that traditional Christianity has often treated with benign neglect. The book’s most significant virtue is its comprehensive treatment of ‘mysticism,’ a concept that includes both unsettling encounters with the paranormal and the most ordinary experiences of well-being. According to the author, all of these episodes of serenity or illumination are manifestations of the basic human drive toward unification with the mysterious source of our being. Amazingly, the author accomplishes this integrative goal without minimizing the differences among mystical experiences and traditions.”
—Lee C. Barrett, author of Eros and Self-Emptying: The Intersections of Augustine and Kierkegaard
“Dr. Serio takes us on a journey through culture, religious, and scientific domains. He provides a context for bridge building and suggests that current physics concepts are compatible with spiritual insights. He emphasizes the importance of creative and mystical experiences for enhancing our lives and bringing us closer to understanding the fundamental principles of the universe, and that we share an interconnected web of consciousness. He illustrates this interconnection with a variety of extraordinary perceptions accessible to everyone.”
—Dale E. Graff, author of Tracks in the Psychic Wilderness: An Exploration of ESP, Remote Viewing, Precognitive Dreaming and Synchronicity
“In these pages, Dr. Harry L. Serio imparts a wealth of knowledge and insight. It is the perception of his many personal varied experiences and his sense to relate them to human consciousness which unleashes the power of the collective Spirit. This work draws tools from diverse sources that enable the reader to explore a sense of deep peace, and in that space to foster peace for all sentient beings leading to the One God of all true healing.”
—Mark D. Rader, physician