AboutDr. Jay Nelson Forrest Expertise I can answer any question dealing with Christian mysticism, such as questions concerning the awakening call, the purgative way, the illuminative way, the unitive way, spiritual experiences, spiritual direction, spiritual disciplines, prayer, ecstasy, the rule of life, internal monasticism, asceticism, mystical theology, devotional helps, chanting, meditation, contemplation, hesychasm, and more.
Experience
Dr. Jay N. Forrest is an ardent student of Christian mysticism in all three branches of Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant). Jay Forrest was a Charismatic minister for over 20 years, pastoring churches in Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, and New Mexico. He is the author over over 150 articles and poems and several books. He currently is a Adult Sunday School teacher for Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.
Question Why do you think it is that only a handful of people in any given age realizes the importance of going deeply within?
Answer Hi Ed,
I wish I knew. It is a mystery to me. You would think that many would want to know God first hand. But then I remember Israel's response at Mt Sinai:
"Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said to the people, Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin. 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:18-21).
And so the majority still stands "afar off." It is the lonely pilgrim that travels into the thick darkness of unknowing. Here it seems that fear keeps people from approaching God. But fear of what? Do they fear God is His justice? That may be part of it.
If I may venture a guess, I would say the fear that keeps people afar off is the fear of seeing themselves as they really are. To have the layers of self-deceit striped away and to be completely naked before God is a horrifying experience. I remember my own undoing, where God made me face myself as I really am. "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"
If is the fear of letting go of the false self that hinders us. We cling to our identity as we where, the olf self. The cloud of unknowing talks about approaching God without our safe ideas, concepts, and images. We must come near to a God that is not safe. Drawing near to God is not safe. It will cost you everything you have, and everything you are. The purgative way is the striping off of the old man - dispositions, habits, passions, and ideas. It is safe to say that the God we image is not God, but a poor shadow of the Real thing.
For those who have experience the Real thing, we desire more. We are always finding, yet always seeking. The ocean of God is infinite, and so our journey is endless. Oh, but the joy is unspeakable.
May God bless your journey with the peace that passes understand. May our lives draw others to seek what is the most important thing in this life - knowing God.
