Bill!,
That dictionary pair of meanings is simply incorrect. Lexicographers do not
have the bottom-line on this. Their catalogings are just that: they list the
common understanding and ways of usage.
This word is a little of a technical term.
The lexicographers are not good technicians in every field themselves, and
sometimes miss the scent. Their attempt at that definition is one very good
example of their incomplete surveying, despite their earnest efforts, smarting
eyes, and their green visors.
The "subjective communion" comes close to my understanding and experience of
direct experience.
C'ain't get no more direct than the subjective, nor the communion.
The fact that it's subjective makes it so much more direct to me, and makes it
truly mine. If it's subjective to others, and is also theirs, then we have a
nice discovery in common.
Bill!, this is fairly common knowledge, and is well propagated by the writers
on Mysticism. Not by the Mystics themselves, but the writers *on* Mysticism,
who try to tell us properly, by way of introduction perhaps, what Mysticism is.
They say, and I say again, that it is experience. And the most direct and
unmitigated. I do not interpose the word spiritual or religious in any of this
(but I appreciate that Webster does). I do not take Webster as the authority,
there: instead I take or allow those who study mysticism, or who may be
mystics, to inform our understanding (at least of the word).
I don't say that this is the view of Science (yet).
I can recommend again to review Underhill, James, and Bucke.
Webster had his head in books, too, like those three writers, but he did not
talk to right people on this point, nor, I think, did his dharma heirs.
--Joe
> "Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote:
>
> Joe and Salik,
>
> I'm sorry to have to disagree with you but 'mystical' does NOT mean "direct,
> unmitigated experience". It is in fact just the opposite of that. It is a
> mistaken belief that some illusory thoughts or feelings you've had were a
> real experience.
>
> Here is the definition of 'mystical' from Merriam-Webster Online:
>
> a : having a spiritual meaning or reality that is neither apparent to the
> senses nor obvious to the intelligence <the mystical food of the sacrament>
> b : involving or having the nature of an individual's direct subjective
> communion with God or ultimate reality <the mystical experience of the Inner
> Light>
>
> Neither 'spiritual' or 'mystical' have any place in zen practice, except as
> examples of illusions.
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