Mystical America

Good evening friends, tonight I bring you the long-awaited second episode of the Universal Sufism trilogy. Last episode we spoke about the Sufi mystic Inayat "Hazrat" Khan, but in this episode, there's a hot new guru in town- the self-proclaimed avatara (divine incarnation) Meher Baba, aka "The Ancient One." After learning about Baba's biography and theology, we'll delve into some of the spiritual drama between Murshida Rabia Martin and Murshid Samuel Lewis, two major followers of Meher Baba and Inayat Khan respectively. Along the way, we'll also get into some more high strangeness around Murshid Samuel Lewis's intelligence connections and paranoid anti-communist/McCarthyite ramblings. I'll be completely honest with you all here and just let you know that while this episode is filled with strange and groovy explorations of enigmatic figures and psychic warfare, I believe the next episode, the final episode in this series is going to be where it's really at and is quickly shaping up to be one of the best episodes yet. This one is just to prepare your eardrums for what's to come. So please, keep your third eye and sixth senses turned towards the vortex- resisting the urge to look away and tune into tonight's very special episode of Mystical America.  Samuel Lewis Archive: https://www.ruhaniat.org/index.php/archive-home Email me @ [email protected] :)

Tonight's episode and the next 1 (or 2, currently undecided) episodes, are an examination of a religious sect in America which have received very little attention as far as I can tell. I figured I should change that. This is a journey into the mystical heart of so-called "Universal (or Western) Sufism." A form of Sufism that asserts the fundamental unity of all religious traditions. This episode and the information contained therein sets the stage for the following episode(s) which I believe will be some of the most fascinating in Mystical America's short but infamous podcasting history. Wish I could say more but let's just say it involves the Cheesecake factory, a mysterious white marble compound, and large sums of money. In this episode, I discuss the cosmic musician/Sufi master Inayat Hazrat Khan, what Sufism is and isn't and how universal Sufism differs from more orthodox Islamic forms of Sufism, religious polymath Murshid Samuel Lewis and how God told him to lead the hippies, the appeal of Universalism to post-war America and much much more. After banishing all malevolent Djinn from your household, turn your AirPods on and tune into the golden soundwaves of Mystical Motherfreaking America. If you have time please leave a review! All merit accrued from your positive reviews will go towards the eventual release from the cycles of Samsara.

Mystical America returns tonight with the quintessential American spiritual pursuit- the communal lifestyle. Since the beginning of its colonial incarnation, the United States of America has always had a subsect of quirky caucasians looking to live off the land, share resources, praise the creator(s), and even make sweet sweet love to each other wives. In this episode, we'll explore some essential commune history, ranging from early American Utopian experiments (Shakers and celibate wizard monks), and the 60s revival of off-the-land living through to the present day. The final portion of this show is devoted to a defense of utopian living/communal living theory and praxis- and why those tie-dyed barefoot dome-dwelling tree-hugging wife-sharers might not be as crazy as you initially think.  Pull out your gardening tools and compost made from free-range vegan crystal girl sh*t, it's time for Mystical America! Email Mystical America/Isaac with any questions / comments/ concerns @ [email protected] Follow Mystical America on Instagram: mystical_america 

On tonight's episode of Mystical America we'll dive further into the connections between music and mysticism in the United States. The hippies have had their fair share of convergences with religious groups, but did you know that the hippies mortal enemies (punks) have also gotten on the God train? In this show I discuss two strange stories of Punk and hardcore kids turning to religion and rejecting the values of the material world. From straight-edge Hare Krishnas making violent music in service of their beloved avatar, to the stoner metal maverick who created a punk zine with Eastern Orthodox monks, this episode will take you on a ride through the heavier side of mystical music. Pull out that battle jacket and that shitty guitar, it's time time for Mystical America.

As promised in the last episode, I've decided to delve even further into the world of post-1960's LSD fueled spirituality. And where better to start than with the headiest group of all time, the Grateful Dead. Love them or hate them The Dead are more emblematic of the hippy and psychedelic subcultures than any other American band. Lots of high strangeness followed The Dead and devoted followers of the band, but one of the strangest stories is the story of The Spinners. The spinners, AKA The Church of Unlimited Devotion were a group of ecstatic dancers the first and only religious group to be based around Jerry Garcia's sacred tunes and mystical improvisations. This story of a short-lived trustafarian commune and psychedelic dervishes was simply too weird for me to ignore- So let's dive into the spiraling vortex together and discover the true origins of The Dead's spinning sect. Who was Joseph? Why did The Spinners dance to Jerry's songs and not Bobby's songs? Do The Spinners still exist today? The answers to all these questions (and many more) will be revealed on tonight's episode of Mystical America. This show references the book Heads by Jesse Jarnow heavily. I adored this book and highly suggest you read it! Alright friends, pull out your hacky sacks, your tie dyed shirts, and repeat the sentence "Peace, pot and, microdots" three times before you listen, because it's time for Mystical F*cking America!

There's no way to discuss post-1960's spirituality in America without talking about LSD, acid, Lucy, etc. This episode is a less of a historical one, as I assume many you have already heard the tales of Hoffman and Sandoz, Haight Street and Leary- instead this episode is a complicated love letter and essay to an equally complicated hallucinogen. Along the way I'll let you know why I think acid is a quintessentially American drug, how acid has evaded mainstream capitalist narratives, and why this drug totally transcends simple/binary definitions and remains potent countercultural fuel to this day. Take out your lava lamps and gather your trip sitters, and get ready for a psychedelic mystery ride- courtesy of the CIA. Only on Mystical America. Resources for furthur research: https://www.burningshore.com/p/the-elephant-lsd https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd.shtml https://www.furious.com/perfect/gratefuldeadlsd.html https://www.shroomery.org

Hey hey hey you groovy hepcats, Mystical America is back after I was stuck battling a Mystery illness. And today, on this cigarette smoke filled, jazzy little episode, I'll be introducing you all to a favorite topic of mine- Buddhism and the Beat Generation. The Beats were a group of ragtag, bohemian writers coming out the 1950s who permanently changed American culture and writing. As some of you might know, they also helped to popularize Buddhism in the collective American consciousness. We'll explore Kerouac, Ginsberg, Snyder, Watts, and more. We'll dive into the how and why of the Beats obsession with Buddhism, but ultimately this show will serve as an introduction for later episodes in which I will dive deeper into the links between Buddhism and American literature. Pull out your bongos, light up your reefer smokes, it's time for Mystical America!

On the concluding episode of the Mt Shasta series, I dive into the I AM activity's most (in)famous offshoot- The theosophical doomsday group called The Church Universal and Triumphant. The Church Universal and Triumphant received a great deal of attention in the 1980s for purchasing vast sums of land in Montana and retreating underground during a (failed) prophecy of nuclear war. I discuss the aptly/tragically named leaders Mark and Elizabeth Prophet, what the hell the violet flame is, and most importantly, offer some ideas on how to live and act meaningfully in apocalyptic times. Put on your hazmat suit, it's time for Mystical America! If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a positive review. If you do, the ascended masters El Morya and Saint Germain will certainly conspire to bless your life and bank account <3 Read Erin Prophet's (Elizabeth Clare Prophet's Daughter's) blog and check out her website here: http://www.eprophet.info

In the second episode of Mystical America's three part series discussing America's mystic mountain, Mt. Shasta, I delve into one of the first theosophical offshoots to come out of Mt. Shasta. It's the one and only "I AM" Activity created by Guy and Edna Ballard during the Great Depression. I discuss who the hell Saint Germain is, the movement known as new thought, the divine I AM presence, the controversies of the I AM activity, and the story of Guy and Edna Ballards rise to American infamy. Call up your favorite ascended master, and call down that purifying violet flame- It's time for Mystical America! If you enjoy what I do here on Mystical America, please consider giving a positive review on Spotify or Apple Music- Blessings <3 For all questions, corrections, comments, concerns, or to discuss being featured as a guest on Mystical America, please email [email protected] Resources/Bibliography: https://www.saintgermainfoundation.org https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-25-me-11997-story.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsKt4edO98w&t=3528s https://archive.org/details/02TheMagicPresenceByGodfrRayKing1935FirstEdition/%2301%20-%20Unveiled%20Mysteries%2C%20by%20Godfré%20Ray%20King%20-%201935%20-Second%20Edition/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater https://web.archive.org/web/20071123184055/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/iam.html

Today's episode is the first in a three part series. In this episode we delve into the strange, Fortean, and often problematic world of Mt Shasta- America's very own holy mountain. In this episode I discuss the controversial and enigmatic Madame Blavatsky, Lemuria/Atlantis, Theosophy in America, give a brief history of Mt Shasta, and explain the early origins of the Shasta / Lemuria connection. This intro lays the groundwork for our next two episodes which explore two distinctly American new religious movements that came out of the Shasta mythos. This is some true Wild West mysticism ya'll. So grab your mining hats and dowsing rods, and lets explore the bejeweled subterranean realm of Mt. Shasta. Only on Mystical America. If you like what I do here please consider giving this show a positive review on Spotify or Apple podcasts so that others will find and listen to it! My coven of highly skilled witches and I will send more blessings your way then you can fathom. Trust me! Peace and Love- Isaac. Resources/Bibliography: https://web.archive.org/web/20120919063057/http://www.siskiyous.edu/shasta/fol/lem/index.htm https://blavatskytheosophy.com/atlantis-and-lemuria/ https://www.siskiyous.edu/library/shasta/documents/AB_Ch15.pdf https://www.siskiyous.edu/library/shasta/documents/Spiritual_tourism_Mt_Shasta_Duntley.pdf

Tonight on Mystical America I interview Gabe from the podcast Mormons, Mystics and Muons. We talk about Gabe's upbringing in the Mormon church, and how his kundalini awakening and the accompanying mystical experiences led him to re-contextualize and reintegrate the religion he grew up in in a new holistic and mystical light. We also discuss the theology of Mormonism, psychedelics and the prophet called Joseph Smith, mysticism vs religion, and all sorts of Mormon high Strangeness. This is a long one folks, but every second is packed with information about one of America's most iconic and misunderstood religious traditions. Pour yourself a non-alcoholic beverage and put your favorite headphones on, its time for Mystical America. Links to Gabe's podcast and Substack: Substack: https://mormonsmysticsandmuons.substack.com Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3dYn0w7iqfUczwnLpGVJVi As always, if you like what I do here at Mystical America please consider leaving a review on Spotify or Apple and follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mystical_america/ ! If you do that, you will be eligible to become an ascended master or archangel within the next five lifetimes! Blessings <3

Who can say where the day goes? Only time. Or so the song goes. Tonight's episode of Mystical America is an examination of the life and times of the enigmatic visionary artist turned new age prophet Jose Arguelles. A strange and colorful figure who I believe deserves more recognition. In this episode I discuss the Rainforest cafe and the new age movement, the Mayan Calendar, Jose's discovery of the secret law of time, and of course I delve into Harmonic convergence (Arguelles's massive gathering of postmodern spiritual seekers intended to bring about the dawn of the new age). Plus, what did Arguelles think of Pablo Picasso and how did he view 9/11? Pull out the patchouli oil and lunar calendars, it's time for Mystical America. If you like what I do here, if you enjoy the cosmic combination of chakra healing soundtracks and obscure spiritual stories from across America, think about throwing me a nice review! I have it on good terms from a bodhisattva friend of mine that doing so will definitely help you gain karmic merit. Blessings! Isaac Hill/Mystical America P.S, For those curious about Jose Arguelles/The Law of Time, I suggest checking out the old law of time website (I'd recommend the new one as well, but the graphic design on this one is just so much cooler): https://lawoftime.org/home.html <3

Tonight on Mystical America (the Ascended Masters's fav podcast), I examine the strange, rambling, non-dual, Neo-gnostic new age text known as A course in Miracles. A favorite of presidential candidate Marianne "love & light" Wilson- This text is as weird as it is revelatory, and I'm going to examine its history, connections to other traditions and some critiques of the book as well. So go ahead, put your headphones on, tune in, drop out, and watch the entire illusory universe disappear. Blessings- Isaac H.

Welcome to Mystical America, a podcast exploring the vortices of religion & mysticism in the good ol' United States of America. Now, a few words from your host. Enjoy.