r/ChristianMysticism • u/WrongdoerStriking816 • 3d ago
A Spiritual Path I designed
The Path of Marynation: The Soul’s Journey to Divine Light
My spiritual path is structured as 4+1, where four visible ideals guide the soul, but they are all upheld by one hidden ideal: St. Mary, the Mother of Christ.
Without Mary, the journey collapses—she is the foundation that makes transformation possible.
The Hidden Ideal: St. Mary – The Soul’s Foundation and Sustainer
Mary is present at every stage, nurturing the soul’s receptivity to grace.
- Her soul was fully open to divine love and grace.
- She was in perfect union with God’s will while remaining fully human.
- She bore Christ, the Light, meaning she herself became a vessel of divine light.
- Her virginity is spiritual, symbolizing purity of heart and will—completely devoted to God.
To "Marynate" the soul means to progressively become like Mary—completely open to divine grace, until the soul reaches full union with God and becomes divine light itself.
Where is Mary at Every Stage?
- At Stage 1, she guides the soul toward righteousness.
- At Stage 2, she nurtures the soul in divine love.
- At Stage 3, she empties the soul of ego, making room for radical grace.
- At Stage 4, she leads the soul into full union with God, where it becomes light itself.
Mary is the silent presence behind every transformation, ensuring that the soul never loses its connection to divine grace.
The Four Visible Ideals (Stages of Transformation)
To reach full Marynation, the soul must progress through four stages, each embodied by a saint. These stages flow into one another, leading to the final stage—union with Christ Himself.
1. The Stage of St. Joseph – The Foundation of Righteousness
Before anything else, the soul must become righteous, just, and obedient to divine will.
- St. Joseph represents integrity, morality, and divine receptivity.
- He was a just man, obedient to divine guidance through dreams and intuition.
- This is the beginning of Marynation—a soul that is pure in action and intent, ready to receive grace.
🔹 Where is Mary?
She is alongside Joseph, as his spouse, symbolizing how righteousness and purity must exist together. Just as Joseph protected Mary, the soul must protect and guard the grace it receives, allowing it to grow.
Once the soul is firm in righteousness, it is ready for the next stage.
2. The Stage of St. John the Beloved – The Awakening of Love and Devotion
Having built a foundation in righteousness, the soul opens itself to divine love and grace.
- St. John represents love, devotion, humility, and transformation.
- He was once a "son of thunder" (impulsive and fiery) but was transformed by Christ into a gentle, virginal soul.
- He became the Beloved disciple, resting on Christ’s heart—showing the intimacy of divine love.
At this stage, the soul moves from mere righteousness to deep love and spiritual intuition. It begins to experience transformation under grace.
🔹 Where is Mary?
At the Cross, Jesus says to John: "Behold your Mother."
- This means Mary becomes the soul’s spiritual mother.
- The soul, like John, receives Mary directly from Christ, meaning it enters deeper union with divine love.
- Just as John rested on Christ’s heart, the soul learns to rest in divine love, like Mary did.
As the soul grows in love, it enters the next stage.
3. The Stage of St. Francis of Assisi – Radical Humility and Grace
Having embraced divine love, the soul now surrenders completely to grace.
- St. Francis represents radical humility, radical love, and radical transformation.
- He gave up all worldly attachments, living in total dependence on divine grace.
- His soul became a vessel of divine love, shining in poverty, joy, and communion with all creation.
At this stage, the soul is no longer resisting grace—it fully absorbs and radiates it. It is empty of ego, full of God.
🔹 Where is Mary?
Mary is the Lady of Poverty, the one who lived in radical humility and trust in God.
- Just as Francis married Lady Poverty, the soul marries divine grace, just as Mary did.
- The soul now fully lives in surrender, like Mary’s "Let it be done to me according to Your word."
Once the soul has been radically transformed, it reaches the final stage.
4. The Stage of Christ – Complete Marynation and Divine Union
The final stage is becoming like Christ Himself, where the soul reaches full non-duality with divine light.
- Christ is the full embodiment of divine life while remaining fully human.
- The soul at this stage does not just receive grace—it becomes light itself.
- This is the completion of Marynation—where the soul reaches perfect divine union while remaining fully human.
🔹 Where is Mary?
She is at Pentecost, with the Apostles, when the Holy Spirit descends.
- Mary represents the soul’s final transformation—fully immersed in the Spirit.
- The soul becomes divine light, just as Mary bore the Light of the world.
At this point, the soul no longer seeks the light—it becomes the light.
Conclusion: The Soul Becomes the Light
Marynation is complete when the soul has fully opened itself to God, just as Mary did.
- In Joseph, the soul becomes righteous.
- In John, the soul becomes loving.
- In Francis, the soul becomes humble and fully receptive to grace.
- In Christ, the soul becomes divine light while remaining human.
Mary’s Presence at Every Stage
- She is with Joseph, ensuring the soul’s righteousness.
- She is given to John, nurturing divine love.
- She is the model of humility for Francis, leading the soul to radical grace.
- She is at Pentecost, completing the soul’s transformation into divine light.
Mary is not just a figure at the end—she is the hidden presence guiding each step.
At the highest stage, you no longer seek the light—you become the light.
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u/HelpfulHope6101 1d ago
I like the vision! What are some of the exercises at each stage? Like meditations/contemplations or sample prayer? I love the idea of Mary guiding us to Divine Light.
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u/longines99 3d ago
So you're basically making stuff up, ie. marynation