Life is not a mystery

What is mysticism?

Dr. Jon Mundy, published author and lecturer, came to CFCC to answer this question.

Mundy, the co-founder of Interfaith, was invited by Dr. Scott Olsen to come speak on the topic of his latest book, "What is Mysticism?".

He began the presentation by explaining what mysticism is not. He said that it has nothing to do with parapsychology or the occult, and that it is not a mystery.

"One of the basic characteristics of a mystical experience is that the person having the experience comes to recognize something," Mundy said. "They realize 'this is who I am, and this is who I've always been'."

The Klein Center was set up to accommodate around 300 people, but it became full so quickly that more chairs had to be brought in.

Both Olsen and Lee Rosen, who teaches humanities courses at CFCC, gave students an extra-credit opportunity for attending the event.

Eric Ostalaza, a 19-year-old nursing major, explained that Rosen was offering an extra- credit question about the event on one of the tests in his social science class.

"It was way different than what I expected," Oztalaza said. "It did open up my mind a little bit. It broadened my horizons."

Not all attendees were there for extra-credit, however. Actually, the majority of the crowd was there simply to see Mundy speak.

Mundy said that many people have mystical experiences and don't even realize they have had one. He recalled his first memorable experience to be around the age of 15. He said that while hunting he was playing a game, which he called "I don't exist".

"I remember thinking to myself, 'What is having this experience?'," Mundy said. "And then a second thought came, 'who wants to know?'."

This feeling of losing one's ego is what Mundy described to be one of the key characteristics of a mystical experience. He used a radio as an example of letting go of the ego.

"We have our tuners set on W-EGO," Mundy said. "We need to turn down the volume."

In other words, humans are always broadcasting and need to learn to be receptive.

One audience member, Mous Katz, a part-time student of creative writing, and a self-proclaimed Shaman, said she attended out of curiosity.

"It is all stuff I know so nothing was surprising," Katz said. "But he is amusing, and a good speaker."

Mundy ended the presentation by talking about a study being conducted at the University of Wales. This study is an attempt to define what constitutes a mystical experience, and what triggers one.

There are 21 reported triggers so far. The first trigger is despair and depression. Mundy explained that although it seems odd, hitting the bottom can allow one to see past the ego.

After the presentation Mundy stayed and signed autographs for those interested.

Ashley Cullinan, 25, a CFCC alumnus, bought Mundy's book "What is Mysticism?" and had him sign it. Cullinan came with a friend who told her about the event, and said she enjoyed herself.

"I thought it (the presentation) was excellent," Cullinan said. "It was a simple explanation for something complex."

Top five causes of a mystic experience

1.Despair and depression

2.Meditation

3.Nature (being alone in it)

4.Music

5.Worship

*According to a study conducted at the University of Wales