The Value of the mystic
Evelyn Underhill has many wonderful observations about the "mystical spirit." She claims that while the layman prays for extrinsic reasons, (ex. tradition, desperation) The mystic prays for the sake of praying. Living in a godly way is not for the purpose of obtaining a favorable afterlife, but because it is the only way to be. The mystic sees religion in the present, in the soil. The material benefits that the mystic provides are unique, he can provide something that neither the theologian nor the religious zealot can.
There is a wonderful Orthodox saying, "Die every day and you will live forever." It gets at the crux of the mystic spirit. Monastic living is a practice of minimizing (killing) the self, and replacing it with the Big Other, the Absolute. This is what monks do, almost universally. This is what great artists and great lovers do.
But what exactly is different about the mystic? I’m tempted to say they have attained a higher communication with the Absolute, but sadly I don’t know that. What I do know is that they are the most in communication with their own spiritual will. Just as critically, they are intensely aware of the cohesive spiritual will of others. Augustine of Hippo (although not really a mystic,) was a former neo-platonist and follower of Manichaeism. Influence from both made their way into Christianity through him. So many religious beliefs your uncle Tony holds have their origin in a handful of 1700s schizophrenics. What do I mean by spiritual will?
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law."
This is the foundational motto of the occult practice Thelema. The interpretations of this statement are indicative of an important distinction, that when applied to greater religion, identify the layman from the mystic. The greatest distinction between the two interpretations are in the word "wilt." A common definition of will is synonymous with desire.1 Both are "want." Kierkegaard has an amazing essay called Purity of Heart, I think about it all the time. Only past the introduction does he give away the full title, "Purity of Heart ... is to will one thing." That thing being good. This puts will at an interesting place. It's not just about desire, it’s about fulfilling yourself. It’s about adhering to the Absolute good without hesitation. This definition of will, the quote now means something different. It is not desire, it is an obligation to the very concept of good. As the writers at the Hermetic library explain, "It is the greatest possible freedom and the strictest possible promise."
The mystic is one who's actions are not the will of God. Instead, their will is God. Nothing is for God, it's participating in God's will. This will being Absolute and whole good. It is only now that God's poetry can speak through the poet. The material results of this (should) manifest in profound embodied good.
TL;DR: I'm not anti religion, I'm pro mystic.
Citations, Further reading.
Mysticism is a lifelong meditation on this very topic. There is no greater further reading on this topic than Evelyn Underhill. The link below links directly to a pdf hosted by Archive.org
Purity of Heart - Kierkegaard no public link :(
see: libgen
Footnotes
The difference in "will" between major religions and philosophers will absolutely get its own post.↩