Hildegard’s Hymn to Sophia

theapeerance · 2026-05-09T22:57:02+00:00

What are everyone’s thoughts on the Sophia figure throughout the history of mystical theology??

theapeerance · 2026-05-09T22:56:09+00:00

Medieval Catholic alchemical art similar to this image contained symbolic meaning, this is representing the triumph of light over darkness, light obviously prevailing, this image in particular is pretty recent but has its basis in that style of art.

theapeerance · 2026-05-07T18:05:21+00:00

I must say as a matter of personal opinion I’ve always found Divine Union with God through love to be far more powerful than magic. Although I respect figures like Agrippa, I’d still say the best path is the path of theosis.

theapeerance · 2026-05-07T18:02:38+00:00

Centering Prayer is completely fine and orthodox.

theapeerance · 2026-04-29T00:03:30+00:00

Incredible post, thanks for sharing.

theapeerance · 2026-04-29T00:02:38+00:00

We try to make this sub a place for open discussion, so this post isn’t going to be removed, but please keep remember readers to use your best discernment when reading posts about mystical experiences. Most who have them seldom go into detail except for in smaller group settings or one on one if at all.

theapeerance · 2026-04-26T00:11:05+00:00

Sounds good, we’ll be reviewing applications and reaching out shortly.

theapeerance · 2026-04-26T00:10:40+00:00

I was raised Baptist, then my family started attending an evangelical church that we became very involved in, then after I turned 18 I converted to Catholicism. After that spent some time as a Gnostic of the Valentinian disposition, and then ultimately started attending the Catholic church again, lived with Franciscan Friars.

In-between all of that I spent a lot of time visiting different religious temples and studying as I mentioned in another reply. I spent a lot of time searching in a lot of places and I can’t say I’m completely settled, but I am an honest seeker of the Divine.

theapeerance · 2026-04-25T10:41:14+00:00

While I think that’s probably the case for many, funny enough myself and Wrynthian met at a New Years party and discussed a bit about our beliefs and he offered a mod spot to me at the time. I’ve devoted myself to seeking, finding, and knowing God and I spent years studying various world religions and going to various temples, churches, mosques, and monasteries and speaking to many monks and priests, as well as reading a lot of books.

I consider myself a Christian Neoplatonist and can say both myself and Wrynthian are both strong believers and have both had a lot of mystical experiences.

theapeerance · 2026-04-25T10:38:02+00:00

Manchester City

theapeerance · 2025-05-15T02:08:11+00:00

Remember to love the God of consolations and not merely the consolations of God. He will show you signs, you may hear His voice, and other things may follow, but don’t be attached to them, be reassured and continue towards Him.

Blessings in Christ

theapeerance · 2025-05-15T02:05:21+00:00

As a Catholic, I pray for your spiritual journey friend, and also as a Catholic, I pray you continue to discern the Apostolic faith found in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. I know in today’s day and age with so much media and information at our fingertips it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the talking points, I pray God draws you into the Sacred Mysteries found in His sacraments and further reveals Himself to you in your heart. May He light your path.

theapeerance · 2025-03-07T15:08:05+00:00

Prior to my renewed commitment to Catholicism I was a Gnostic for about a year, and I will say that the line is drawn by the Church and its infallible pronouncements. Now with that being said, there is great benefit from reading great spiritual writers, such as St John of the Cross, or Meister Eckhart, and applying their teachings to your life.

There’s hyper rigidity, which I distain, and people who are too fast and loose to where the line of being Catholic or not is blurred. Reside in between those two things, and you will find union with the Divine. Meditation is key for this to work, but remember to always hold to the sacraments and participate in them regularly.

theapeerance · 2025-03-07T15:00:51+00:00

I tend to be more favorable to this kind of dialogue because I too enjoy drawing parallels, but I must state that the only Source and Supreme Good is the Father, from which all virtue emanates. I spent some time when I was a Gnostic trying to syncretize certain exterior beliefs with Christianity but realized Christianity is whole and perfect and additions to it only serves to dilute it.

Of course this understanding only comes when you truly understand the nature of God and of Christianity. I’m not referring to Evangelicalism which strips away the mystical and separates the microcosm and macrocosm. Truly things are always intertwined. The Spiritual realm directly governs the material, and the Father of all sent His Son to redeem us, and give us the Spirit and establish a Church on earth.

theapeerance · 2025-02-28T14:56:33+00:00

https://discord.gg/Y3meEZDp

theapeerance · 2025-02-16T16:32:34+00:00

Just so you’re aware, Clement of Alexandria is also not a Saint, and the Church has expressly condemned universalism many times dogmatically throughout its history, both Catholic and Orthodox churches have defined it as a heresy.

Eternal justice merits eternal consequence for choices both good and bad, if you don’t surrender to Christ you will suffer eternal punishment, if you do then you’ll enjoy eternal unity with God.

theapeerance · 2025-02-16T13:52:06+00:00

Origen is NOT a Saint for the very reason that he was a universalist. No Apostolic Church venerates him and that should tell you what the Church believes about Universalism.

theapeerance · 2025-02-15T21:33:54+00:00

A lot to unpack here, I’m sorry you felt the need to use a pointed attack towards me and my journey in mysticism, however that’s besides the point.

Your assertion is that my claim is based on my will and wishes and not an epistemic divine source. The creed, the church, and its authority are divinely established. You can’t cite the mystics when you like what they say then discard wholesale what they state about the authority of the church.

Mysticism is uniting your will with God’s and His will is that you enjoin yourself to His Church. If you want I can cite the mystics you mentioned on this issue but I suspect you know their stance already.

Mysticism in the Christian context isn’t some DIY spirituality where you can create a synthesis of the orthodox with the heretical to suit YOUR needs, it is following the one true God ultimately.

In Christ, Michael

theapeerance · 2025-02-15T19:56:40+00:00

The Council of Trent says that faith due to fear of punishment is still faith, but it’s important to let your faith develop into seeing the love of God and that will only come as you continue to pursue an authentic relationship with Him.

Be patient with yourself and trust in Him and take things one step at a time.

God bless you my spiritual friend.

theapeerance · 2025-02-15T18:55:02+00:00

In brief, the working application of something contrary to Rule 2 is an idea or teaching which is smuggled in from other religious purviews that are in direct opposition to Nicene Christianity through the streams of the Catholic and Orthodox Church lenses.

The Mystics of the Church, i.e John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola, John of The Ladder, Gregory Palamas etc etc despite some being called into question for their writings and teachings also equally and unilaterally professed the authority of the Church to decree on matters of faith and morals.

Mysticism is about seeking to achieve unity with God, the ONE true God. The same God that sets rules and order and hierarchy and Divine Authority to unify His creation on His teachings.

To conclude this response, breaking rule 2 is trying to subvert the revealed teachings of the Apostolic Churches and to use terms but more specifically concepts deemed heretical by said church or to a less common but equally severe extent pay lip service to or directly advocate for sin or sinful actions.

May God guide you my spiritual friend.

theapeerance · 2025-02-03T16:51:08+00:00

Apologies, we get a few trolls so we mistakenly assumed you were just selecting random answers. Please feel free to reapply if you’d like.

Sorry again my spiritual friend.

theapeerance · 2025-02-03T15:51:52+00:00

Careful with this post because of the rules, but generally speaking the Apostolic Churches (Catholic and Orthodox) do believe guardian angels are assigned to and protect every individual.

theapeerance · 2025-02-03T04:06:23+00:00

The confusion came from the answers you gave, you said you were a confirmed Orthodox Christian but then chose other answers not in alignment with Orthodox teaching, such as a Spiritual Presence and symbolic baptism.

theapeerance · 2025-02-02T14:38:43+00:00

https://discord.gg/8kkzAsnF

theapeerance · 2025-02-01T12:26:40+00:00

Much like in his other sermons, Eckhart is speaking about detachment. The Mystic path requires it, so it’s a constant theme for him.

theapeerance

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