Practical Mysticism: The Gateway to Ultimate Spiritual Awakening
By Daniel Darman
Read time: 6 minutes
Reality, as we perceive it, is both a wonder and a puzzle—a convergence of countless perspectives, each attempting to decode the mystery of existence. Many spiritual traditions, ancient texts, and even modern scientific theories grapple with these questions: What is the nature of reality? What is the role of consciousness? How do we interact with the infinite?
Within the mystical frameworks of the Tao Te Ching, the Upanishads, and Advaita Vedanta, a recurring theme emerges—the idea of oneness. Oneness, or non-duality, reflects the intrinsic unity of all things, expressed poetically as “not two.” This is not a mere philosophical abstraction; rather, it is an invitation to transcend the limitations of the individual perspective.
This concept of oneness finds resonance across cultures and faiths. It aligns with the notion of God, Allah, Brahman, or as I might put it, the infinite living spirit—a boundless and eternal presence that animates all things. While my reflections are subjective, they draw from a lifetime of exploration and a desire to ground these ideas in both mystical traditions and the scientific frameworks we use to explain the universe.
The Infinite Laws
We live in a reality governed by laws—both physical and metaphysical. These laws are not arbitrary; they structure our experience, shaping how we engage with the world and ourselves. However, these rules often seem to oppose the concept of free will, creating a paradox that defines the human experience.
Free will acts as the microcosm of individuality—the ego navigating its personal reality—while the universal laws form the macrocosm, encompassing the entire universe's orderly design. These two forces, though seemingly in opposition, coexist symbiotically. The microcosm influences the macrocosm, just as the macrocosm shapes the microcosm.
Science provides a framework for understanding some of these laws. Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, for instance, highlights the limitations of any logical system, suggesting that truths within a system must reference something external to it. Similarly, the double-slit experiment demonstrates how conscious observation alters the behaviour of particles, hinting at the interconnectedness of awareness and reality. These scientific findings echo ancient mystical teachings: reality is not solely material but inherently shaped by perception and consciousness.
Awareness and the Role of Conscious Intent
Awareness is the cornerstone of any spiritual or metaphysical practice, but it is not passive—it requires conscious intent. To truly connect with infinity, one must approach awareness as an active, intentional state rather than a mere byproduct of existence. It is through conscious awareness that we bridge the gap between the infinite laws of the universe and the microcosmic free will of the self.
Awareness transcends the dichotomy of masculine and feminine principles. While the masculine principle might embody action and focus, and the feminine principle represents surrender and receptivity, conscious awareness binds them together. It creates a state where one can actively pursue spiritual growth while remaining open to the wisdom that emerges from stillness.
The process of intentional awareness can feel deeply personal yet universally connected. It is not just observing one’s thoughts but engaging with the essence of being. In doing so, we begin to see the interplay of energies—the currents of creation, destruction, and transformation. This mirrors the three modalities of spirit: the cardinal (initiation), the fixed (sustenance), and the mutable (adaptation and change). These are reflected in the Trimurti of Hinduism—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—highlighting a universal cycle that transcends time and space.
In my own journey, practising conscious awareness has not only deepened my understanding of reality but has also instilled a profound sense of wonder. When we realise that awareness itself shapes what we perceive, we begin to understand the infinite potential of our interactions with the universe.
The Tools of Creation
To manifest within this infinite reality, one must utilise tools that align both the self and the cosmos. These tools—relaxation, visualisation, and attraction—are simple yet profoundly transformative when applied with intent and understanding.
Relaxation: True creation begins in stillness. Relaxation allows the mind and body to let go of tension, creating space for intuitive insight and spiritual alignment. Without relaxation, the clutter of thought and emotion becomes a barrier to perceiving the subtler energies of existence.
Visualisation: This is the practice of imagining a desired outcome with clarity and focus. Visualisation acts as a bridge between thought and manifestation, turning abstract ideas into energetic seeds that take root in the infinite.
Attraction: Often misunderstood, attraction is not merely wishing for something; it is aligning one’s will with the universal flow. It requires consistency, faith, and action in harmony with the energies one seeks to draw into life.
These principles echo the practices of mystical traditions such as those found in The Golden Dawn tradition, where creation is seen as both an art and a science, requiring that previously mentioned balance of focus and surrender.
The Infinite Path
In an infinite universe, there is no beginning or end. The spiritual path, too, is without a destination. It is an eternal game—an exploration of self, the cosmos, and the interplay between them.
This realisation can be both liberating and humbling. Alan Watts described this as “The Cosmic Joke”—the universe’s way of showing us that all our striving, questioning, and seeking are, at their core, a dance of futility and joy. The joke is not meant to mock but to remind us to lighten up and enjoy the journey.
The redundancy of the spiritual path lies in its nature. No matter how much we learn or grow, there is always more to uncover. This is the beauty of infinity: it offers endless opportunities for discovery while gently reminding us that the ultimate truth is already within us.
If there is one thing I have learned, it is that we must embrace the humour and paradoxes of existence. The path is not about reaching a final truth but about learning to live in harmony with the infinite—a task both profound and playful. And if we lose the ability to laugh along the way, we risk missing the point entirely.
Reality, in all its complexity, is a tapestry woven from countless threads of perception, consciousness, and infinite laws. As we navigate this existence, we are both explorers and creators, shaping and being shaped by the universe around us.
By embracing conscious awareness, balancing the masculine and feminine principles, and applying tools like relaxation, visualisation, and attraction, we begin to unlock the mysteries of the infinite. But in the end, the spiritual path is not about reaching a goal—it is about embracing the journey, laughing at the cosmic joke, and finding joy in the process of discovery.
For me, understanding the infinite living spirit has been a gateway to a deeper appreciation of existence—a reminder that while we may never grasp the totality of infinity, we can always find meaning in the act of reaching for it. In the end, that reaching, that endless dance, is the essence of life itself.