“I’m a practising mystic.” A woman said that in one of my classes some years ago and it raised lots of eyebrows. I was teaching a class in mysticism and asked the students why the topic of mysticism interested them. Their responses varied. Some were simply intrigued by the concept; others were spiritual directors who wanted more insight into what constitutes mystical experience; and a number of others were taking the course because their faculty adviser asked them to. But one woman answered: “Because I’m a practising mystic!” Can someone be a practising mystic? Yes, providing both terms – practising and mystic –
are understood properly.