From the Archives of Yoga and Total Health Mysticism

Interview of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra by H. Sequeira Published in ‘Yoga and Total Health’ April 1995

Although I had heard about mysticism nearly three decades ago at The Yoga Institute, this interview with Dr. Jayadeva was a milestone in our trying to understand this fascinating but difficult subject. Doctor is a man of few words; one has to be very attentive while listening to him – for if you miss hearing a word you miss something vital. Moreover, one has to keep aside the intellect and listen with the heart. Doctor has the happy felicity of helping his listeners gaining insights; of explaining the most abstruse of subjects in the simplest and direct manner.

The theme of mysticism is an important subject for the 7-Month Teacher Training Course at The Yoga Institute. From time to time we also feature this theme in the Yoga and Total Health journal. The IVth Volume of the Cyclopaedia will be on ‘Mysticism’ and will be out shortly.

Q. Why is ‘Mysticism’ selected as the theme for the IVth Volume of the Cyclopaedia?

A. After having dealt with physical health, disease and stress, and education it was decided to deal with the healthy mental states. These states which are considered as mystic states are the blossoming and flowering that occur in healthy normal persons. That is why the topic of mysticism has been selected for Volume 4 of the Cyclopaedia

Q. In the West, mysticism has flowered from what are known as the mystery schools; the origins of Christian mysticism, for example, can be traced back to the mystery school of Greece. Is there something similar in Indian mysticism?