With the titanic rise of modern, material science has been the growing belief that there only is a physical, material universe. This belief has reached not just into science but into all aspects of human life. At same time, there is an unfolding spiritual renaissance, a quest for the deeper spiritual mysteries. Seekers of both the material and spiritual pursue their goals with equal strength and sincerity, yet how do you bring the two together? 

The dynamics of the mystical and the material is one of the great lessons of civilization. How well we learn this lesson will determine humanity’s readiness for the new spiritual era that is dawning. But what is the lesson?

Mysticism has been defined as “The experience of union or direct communion with ultimate reality.” The mystical view is that life is spiritual, and the material is born of the physical. The essence of who you really are is spiritual and that you “inhabit” material form. Part of the experience of material life is to cultivate the mystical and bring it to outer expression through the process of spiritual evolution. We are all meant to have direct, personal yet objective experiences of the Divine.

In the long history of civilization, there have been ages when societies were more in tune with their mystical natures. In these ages, the great schools of mystical development flourished such as in the golden ages of Egypt, India, Israel, China and Greece. And in other ages of humanity’s development, there have been periods of less collective spiritual awareness. In these eras, humanity would still progress but be tested and tempered as part of character/soul development. This is part of the natural spiritual cycles of life on Earth. 

The lesson humanity is learning is to put the spiritual before the physical even though we live in a material age when the mystical has not yet reemerged. It’s our job to cultivate the mystical within us regardless of where we are in our awareness of that inner life. We are meant to lead a spiritual life in a material world.

Here are three keys to keep in mind in balancing the mystical and the material:

Use Your Rational Mind To Contemplate The Infinite – There is a mistaken belief that the mystical is irrational and subjective. They confuse superstition with genuine mystical experiences. Metaphysics is an exact science as well as an art. If you follow the spiritual laws rationally, you will achieve spiritual results. At the same time, do not ignore the physical. How can you master spiritual life if you do not have control over the physical life around you?

Walk In Faith – As the Bible teaches, “Faith is giving substance to things not yet seen.” This is not blind faith but an active knowing. The mystical experience cannot be reached just with intention. You must live spiritual truth in everything you do. Learn to embody the laws of spirit, and you will become more of the spirit. This opens the mystical door.

Cultivate Your Mystical Nature By Developing Yourself Spiritually – The goal of metaphysics is to evolve your soul and have your own direct experience of the Divine. Through study and practice, you can develop the inner faculties so that the mystical can bloom in its time. 

Metaphysically, we are at the threshold of marvelous spiritual opportunities. Humanity has come up out of a less spiritually illuminated era and is now on an upward cycle to reestablish its mystical nature in new and wonderful ways. The mystic eye that has been closed for so long is slowly learning to reawaken. 

Barbara Y. Martin and Dimitri Moraitis are cofounders of Spiritual Arts Institute. With over 50 years of clairvoyant experience, they have taught thousands to better themselves by working with the aura and spiritual energy. Their award-winning books include the international bestseller Change Your Aura, Change Your Life, Karma and Reincarnation, The Healing Power of Your Aura, Communing with the Divine and their newest book Heaven and Your Spiritual Evolution: A Mystic’s Guide the Afterlife and Reaching Your Highest Potential. www.spiritualarts.org.