By Muaad Sucule

Many people assume that mystical experience exists in tension with reason or that the ego is an obstacle to connecting with ultimate reality. From my experience, this is not the case. Mysticism, reason, and the ego are not enemies — they are different channels through which the same reality can be understood and expressed.

1. Mystical Insight as Direct Experience

At its core, the mystical experience is about connecting with the ultimate reality — the truth that underlies all existence. When the self is temporarily dissolved, when the ego loosens its grip, we become like a flower fully opened: receptive, aware, and at peace. This is not merely a mental exercise; it is a lived experience of reality itself. In these states, we perceive life clearly, with awe and love for the world around us.

2. Reason as a Part of Creation

Reason is a tool, a part of the created world, and a reflection of the soul’s intellect. It is not opposed to mystical insight — it complements it. While mystical experience reveals the immediacy of existence, reason allows us to understand, articulate, and navigate the patterns we observe. Far from clashing, reason can deepen mystical understanding by helping us process insights and share them in meaningful ways.

3. The Ego and Its Natural Transformation

The ego is often misunderstood as a barrier, but it is simply a part of our human identity. Mystical experience does not destroy the ego violently; it transforms it naturally. Life’s struggles, joys, and challenges erode the ego’s rigidity, preparing the mind for deeper insight. In fact, those who struggle most intensely are often closest to mystical realization because difficulty dissolves the false sense of self, leaving a purer vessel for connection with ultimate reality.

4. Universality of the Experience

All mystics touch the same underlying reality, even if their interpretations differ. Some get caught in abstract reasoning, others in ego-driven concerns or rigid doctrines. Yet the essential truth remains: mystical insight, reason, and ego are all threads in the same tapestry. Understanding this allows us to see life with clarity, compassion, and awe.

5. Living the Integration

In practice, embracing this integration means living thoughtfully while remaining open. We reason to navigate the world and make sense of experience. We honor the ego as a necessary guide. And we cultivate mystical awareness through contemplation, meditation, and openness to life’s unfolding. Together, they create a holistic approach to being — one that is simultaneously rational, grounded, and deeply connected to the divine presence in all things.

Mysticism is not a rejection of intellect or identity; it is the fullest expression of both. When we see reason and ego not as adversaries but as allies in the journey, we realize there is no true clash — only harmony waiting to be experienced.

Conclusion

A famous philosopher once said that “mysticism is the recognition of the pure fact,” because “the pure fact is mystery.” Thats why I believe that mystical experience isn’t anti-rationalism. It’s an experience where an individual accepts the world as it is.

With an open spirit and see things in a different lens. It’s the mark of a unique and enlightened mind that has been illuminated. Such a person is naturally at peace and is a positive force in the world. The mystical vision becomes a way of seeing patterns and higher order. The mystic is then the ultimate thinker.