What Christian Mysticism is Not

One way to understand Christian mysticism would be to begin by clarifying what things are commonly called “mysticism” but really aren’t — at least, not from an orthodox Christian perspective:

• Christian mysticism is not occultism. It’s not about uncovering some long lost secret, à la The DaVinci Code.
• Christian mysticism is not magic. It’s not about wielding spiritual power or engineering our own experience.
• Christian mysticism is not esotericism. It’s not about learning techniques for psychic development.
• Christian mysticism is not gnosticism. It’s not about a program for personal, private enlightenment.
• Christian mysticism is not pantheism. It refutes the idea that the universe is one with God.
• Christian mysticism is not monism. It rejects the claim that the self is one with God.
• Christian mysticism is not syncretism. It is not about blending Christianity with the wisdom of other paths, even though Christian mystics have historically been very open to learning from non-Christian wisdom.