Thinking Spiritually in Small Groups: The Practice of Mystical Reflection

Mystical experiences are happening every day, yet—as amazing as the experiences can be—it is often difficult to integrate these experiences into the rest of life. In light of this difficulty, I have created mystical reflection as a simple method for sharing one’s own mystical experiences in a group setting and listening to the experiences of others in a non-judgmental way. The theological principle at work here is that if God speaks, then everyone can benefit from it. Mystical reflection takes this principle seriously and offers a method of application for integrating the spiritual insights into each person’s spirituality.

Dann Wigner is a mystical theologian and religious sociologist with a PhD in theology and sociology from the University of Durham. He has taught religious studies, research writing methods, English, and library studies at multiple universities. Wigner currently teaches for All Saints Episcopal School in Lubbock, TX. He has previously published Just Begin: A Sourcebook of Spiritual Practices and A Sociology of Mystic Practices: Use and Adaptation in the Emergent Church. Follow him at http: //spiritualitystepbystep.com