Following a mystical path sounds so evocative and mysterious, like something traveled on by only a few chosen people. In truth, it doesn’t have to be evocative or mysterious. While the process isn’t easy, it isn’t complicated either. It’s essentially an inward path of self-reflection and action based on what you have learned about yourself. It’s the most authentic way to discover and live your purpose.

One reason it seems so mysterious is that there isn’t a prescribed or step-by-step method to follow to reach that deep connection. It’s a path that only you have the answers to because it’s your path. That’s the point. To quote Joseph Campbell, “If you see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.” Others who have traveled on their path can act as guides, but only you will have your answers.

While the mystical path isn’t for everyone, you don’t have to be a mystic to follow it. The goal isn’t to be a mystic or an ascetic alone on a mountain. (Not unless you want to be alone on a mountain.) The path is open to anyone with the dedication and commitment to reconnect to the eternal spark within you, the unique expression of Source that you are, and how you connect with others as a part of the greater whole.

While I admit that sounds a bit evocative, there is a more down-to-Earth way to look at it. It’s about being so comfortable in your skin as a spiritual and human being that you can connect with others without holding any of you back. That doesn’t mean that you indiscriminately share all the important things about yourself and that you believe with just anybody walking down the street. It’s an inner knowing that what is true for you is valid and has value or worth, even if others don’t think the same way. You don’t have to be wrong, and they don’t have to be wrong.

The mystical path is a way to get there.

Because this path is essentially an inward journey without a proscribed set of steps, you need to be able to navigate your way through. It sounds daunting, I know, but there are some essential tools you can use to help you get started. Or, if you have already begun but think you might be losing your way, they can help you recenter and get your bearings. The tools work together and build on each other, although there is a natural progression. They are also readily available to all of us.

Daily Meditation Practice.

It really should go without saying because any spiritual practice requires this. It is essential to stop the inner and outer noise from bumping you off course. You want your mind to be quiet enough so your inner voice can speak to you.

By outer noise, I mean everything that is going on in your life around you. There are so many things that can “take us away from ourselves” that may seem important, and they are. There is always work to do, there are always chores to do, and there is usually someone who needs our focus or attention, but they don’t need to take every moment of every day. Setting aside a few minutes every day helps establish a boundary between your inner world and the outer world so you know where one ends, and the other begins. It creates a distinct space that you can consciously move into that is yours alone. Essentially, you are giving yourself a place to go in, permission to go there, and letting others know that this is important to you.

Once you establish this boundary, you now have the opportunity to quiet your mind. In other words, calm the inner noise. By inner noise, I mean all the mind chatter that will try and “take us out of ourselves” by reminding us of all the external stuff we need to do. Things like your to-do list, your shopping list, that you can’t believe that it is already Thursday and you don’t know where the time went, or that your boss is a terrible person. It’s the outside noise that you let into your inner space. It’s almost impossible to hear your inner voice if all the internal noise drowns it out.

Not all the thoughts that come into your head are noise. Some of it is valuable information that points you toward what work you need to do. However, it is noise if the thoughts distract you and pull you out of a contemplative space.

Journaling Practice

Our path to becoming is long and complex, and it is beneficial to have a record of what we are working on to keep what we need to do in front of our minds. The thoughts we have and the inner work we do is very transient. If your inner voice points you to a pattern or behavior for you to specifically work on, once that thought is gone, it can be ignored, forgotten, or dismissed. If there is a concrete visual record that you can refer to of what you need to do and how to accomplish it, it is much more likely to be done.

Another benefit of keeping track of your work is to be able to see the progress that you have made. By observing what you are currently working on, what you have worked on, and how you got to where you are, you can clearly see how you have grown. Noticing how you have developed is valuable, especially in the earlier stages when your inner work isn’t apparent in your outer world. It can give you the feeling of accomplishment and confidence to continue until you recognize how your inner growth positively impacts your everyday life.

Connection To Your Intuition

Intuition is an ability we all have. It’s your communication system between your human self, your spiritual self, and your entire spiritual support team. Not only are you not alone on your path, but myriad beings are available to help you navigate your path. Your intuition is how you receive the information you need.

When I say a connection to your intuition, I am referring to the information your inner senses provide that goes beyond your “gut” intuition. Like any natural ability, you need to thoughtfully or consciously develop this connection to get the most out of it. The easiest way to connect to this ability is to have a calm, meditative mind and a way to keep track of the information you get from your inner senses. Essentially, have a daily meditation practice and a journaling practice.

Connection to Community

The mystical path isn’t a path of isolation; it’s a path of connection. While you do need to do your inner work on your own, you don’t have to be alone when you are doing it. This process takes time and isn’t always accepted by those around you, like friends and family. The first thing we need to develop on this path is trust. We need to trust in something we can’t see, touch, or hear. We need to be able to prove to ourselves that this other world is real and valid to us. Unfortunately, because of its ethereal nature, we can’t empirically prove it to ourselves or anybody else. We certainly can’t show this inner world to anyone but ourselves. That can be an incredibly isolating situation. Although we experience this world uniquely, being part of a community that accepts it as authentic and valid can help reduce those feelings of isolation. Sharing different viewpoints and experiences of this multidimensional, non-empirical world can help us better understand it.

You can follow many paths to get to a place of spiritual connection, some religious, some spiritual, and some mystical. What I like about a mystical approach is it is a personal exploration that allows you to feel out with what resonates with you. Like any practice, spiritual or otherwise, it requires dedication. But it requires first a desire to go inside and understand yourself and your connection to others and a willingness to follow that inner path wherever it leads.