--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The choices aren't between a false but…" description: "\"“The choices aren't between a false but soothing mysticism and an acceptance of an indifferent universe. Rather, the choice is between an easy mysticis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/eric-maisel-3062_brick-wall_the-choices-aren-t-between-a-false-but-s_1949790.png" --- # The choices aren't between a false but soothing mysticism… ![“The choices aren't between a false but soothing mysticism and an acceptance of an indifferent universe. Rather, the choice is between an easy mysticism and genuine mystery. This is a very different choice! It is one that a smart person can embrace and applaud—and even grow excited about. He never…” quote by Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/eric-maisel-3062_brick-wall_the-choices-aren-t-between-a-false-but-s_1949790.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/eric-maisel-3062_brick-wall_the-choices-aren-t-between-a-false-but-s_1949790.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/eric-maisel-3062_brick-wall_the-choices-aren-t-between-a-false-but-s_1949790.png) > ““The choices aren't between a false but soothing mysticism and an acceptance of an indifferent universe. Rather, the choice is between an easy mysticism and genuine mystery. This is a very different choice! It is one that a smart person can embrace and applaud—and even grow excited about. He never again has to bang his head against the brick wall of mystery. He can just let it be mysterious. The mystic has made a poor choice, one that a smart person with a mystical bent will never really feel completely comfortable embracing. The mystic, instead of acknowledging that she has absolutely no clue as to what created the universe or how the universe operates, prefers to act like she understands—and, more than that, that the answer is simple and straightforward. If she has a scientific bent, she turns metaphors from physics into proofs of the existence of gods or of a cosmic consciousness. If she has no scientific bent, she simply opts for whatever occult system or language she is born into or that speaks to her.”” [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing between comforting falsehoods and confronting the unknown; the wise can accept mystery without forcing simple explanations. **In simple terms:** Accept mystery, avoid false simplicity. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty, reject easy answers. Themes meaning mystery knowledge comfort truth Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual practice - scientific inquiry - creative work Key Concepts philosophy existentialism cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance curiosity with comfort? - When do you accept mystery over certainty? A Different Perspective Simple explanations can limit deeper understanding and growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brick wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brick-wall/) [Cosmic consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cosmic-consciousness/) [Easy Mysticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy-mysticism-3156649/) [Existence of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-of-god/) [Mysterious Mystic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious-mystic-3156650/) [Mysticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysticism/) [Mysticism Acceptance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysticism-acceptance-1661062/) [Mysticism Genuine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysticism-genuine-3156647/) [Person Mystical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-mystical-3156648/) [Smart person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart-person/) ## Related quotes > [“A smart person, one who perhaps had her mind filled with religious ideas as a child but who recognizes that genuine mysteries exist with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/a-smart-person-one-who-perhaps-had-her-mind-filled-with-religious/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [Mysticism is the acceptance that everything cannot be logically explained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/mysticism-is-the-acceptance-that-everything-cannot-be-logically/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The Universe is a mirror of consciousness...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-universe-is-a-mirror-of-consciousness/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“What if, one would fall into an empty abyss? 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The mystic, instead of acknowledging that she has absolutely no clue as to what created the universe or how the universe operates, prefers to act like she understands—and, more than that, that the answer is simple and straightforward. If she has a scientific bent, she turns metaphors from physics into proofs of the existence of gods or of a cosmic consciousness. 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