Solving the Mystic's Conundrum

Evelyn Underwood once described a mystic as “someone in touch with reality.” My definition of a mystic is this: Anyone called to create, do or change something that advances humanity.

By that definition, mystics would include artists, healers, seers, teachers, messengers, and alchemists. Whatever the archetype, one of the modern realities that mystics have to deal with is living within a capitalistic system. No matter how mystical you are, you have to make money in order to function in the material world.

On the surface, there appears to be a binary choice - what I call The Mystic’s Conundrum:

1. Speak into the void and hope someone shows up.

2. Dilute yourself to appeal to the masses.

The first option sounds a lot like forced asceticism, reliance on others, and poverty.

The second option sounds like the death of the soul.

Of course, there is a Third Way …