Kierkegaard, the mystic: on the source experience in Spirituality.

The famous author, Kierkegaard (1913-1855) is one of the great figures in the history of Western thought. Hy is known as philosopher and theologian, but is also regarded as a mystic - although his mysticism is not always spelled out.

After a long period in which he was invoved in a life of debauchery, he returned home as a 25 year old. On 19 May 1838 he wrote about the following remarkable experience.

Hy notes that that morning at 10h30 something happened with him and then writes:

“There is something like ‘inexpressible joy’ which glows inexplicably through us just as Paul wrote rather unexpectedly: ‘Rejoice, I repeat, rejoice.’ It is not a joy about this or that.. but it is the soul which cries out with the mouth and tongue and from the depths of its heart. I rejoice over my joy, through, in, with, on and over my joy,’ – a divine refrain which interrups our other singing, a joy which cools and refreshes like a breath of air. A wind which blows from the plains of Mamer to the eternal home.”

Kierkegaard refers here to Paul's remarks about joy in Philippians 4:4, but it seems as if he finds it difficult to express these special moments in his life. It is moments which defy language. It is, though, about joy – an intense, overwhelming moment which reminds him – of Scripture – and – of one single verse in Paul’s letter to Philippians. (Which gives one a special new insight on that verse!). And its sets a fire going: joy "glows" in him. It is something which touces him in his innermost being and makes him cry out from the depths of his heart.

This experience transformed him completely. He was reconciled with his father. And two months later he took the unusual step - for a Lutheran – to go to confession, whereafter he took holy communion. This was how he brought his mystical experience to closure. But it was the beginning of his career in which he became a prolific author of very influential books.

In spirituality we talk about a "source experience." This religious experience which he recounts in his diary was Kierkegaard’s source experience. It is that fundamental moment, the life changing moment, in which one stands before God and feels the divine, awesome touch. And, in Kierkegaard’s case, it brought him infinite joy which permeated his whole being. This special moment becomes the source and foundation of a new life.

It is sheer beauty which confronts us here. The beauty of God reaching out and setting our hearts aglow, bringing new life.

This story reminds one of the mystical experience which Pascal, the other famous author, also had (cf. my blog on that).