The great mystics, for the most part, have surpassed the physical -- they do without food, sleep, breathing, etc. The physical concerns of the world are a distraction from mystic progress. The magical concerns of the world are another distraction.
>Actualy some mystic practices develop magic powers, others
>(mainly the martial arts schools) develop physical skills,
>most probably delvelop both.
Any magical or physical skills developed by a mystic would be tools to rid themselves of the rest of their physical and magical attachments. Clinging to these "pseudo-mystic" abilities is probably the number one cause of falling from a mystic path. For example, the Dayzatar mystic, in purifying himself of worldly things, develops access to amazing Solar powers. Using these powers, except to shield himself from the temptations of the World, almost guarantees that the mystic will be seduced into valuing the powers and get trapped in the glory of Yelm. Becoming an powerful daimon serving the glory of Yelm for all eternity is, of course, a good thing. But you have still failed at being a mystic as completely as the Lodrilite who cannot understand that the dirt he grubs in has no lasting value.
Peter Lasen
--__--__--
Powered by hypermail