On this episode, I sat down with my friend and fellow coach Crystal Thompson—one of my emotional support Canadians—to talk about how the book Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground by Mirabai Starr. cracked our hearts open. It’s a conversation about reclaiming spirituality, finding the divine in the ordinary, and allowing ourselves to receive love (even when it’s hard).

What Even Is Ordinary Mysticism?

Crystal started our conversation by sharing how the word “mysticism” once felt scary. As someone raised in a very traditional Christian household, the term felt loaded, even taboo. But Mirabai Starr defines mysticism simply as “the direct experience of the sacred.”

What does that mean?

It means you don’t need a perfect ritual or the right background or a go-between to access the divine. It means awe and connection aren’t reserved for mountaintop moments. They’re available in your car ride, in your slippers, in your kitchen sink.

And for Crystal, that redefinition opened a door.

When we pair that with the idea of ordinary—defined as “expected in the normal order of events”—we’re left with a radical, beautiful invitation:

✨ You can expect to experience the sacred. Every day.

How Awe and Gratitude Shift Everything

One of the most powerful takeaways from the book (and from our conversation) was the role of awe and gratitude.

Awe isn’t just poetic—it’s neurological. The book shares that when we experience awe, the brain’s default mode network quiets down. The monkey mind slows. We become more empathetic, more open. And when we bring that into our relationships? Everything changes.

Gratitude, too, is powerful. In fact, there’s research showing that spousal gratitude is the #1 predictor of marital quality—even when couples face stress or conflict. Gratitude is a connector. A softener. A spiritual lubricant that helps us feel closer, even in hard seasons.

When we choose to see what’s working, when we honor the small sacred moments (like a partner bringing coffee, or a shared glance across a room), we’re stepping into the energy of a miracle.

Finding the Beauty at the Heart of the Wound

One of the main points of the book is that we’re often trying to fix or hide the broken places. But what if our wholeness isn’t about perfection? What if our sacredness includes our shadows? Our imperfections? Our awkwardness and overwhelm and wondering?

Crystal and I both agreed: there’s power in not bypassing the pain. There’s depth in sitting with it—and seeing what it might have to teach us.

Receiving is a Spiritual Practice

Midway through the conversation, Crystal offered me a beautiful reflection about how she sees me—as a lighthouse of love in a stormy world.

And my first instinct was to deflect.

But I took a deep breath… and chose to receive.

That moment—raw, unfiltered, human—was a living example of what the book teaches. Miracles aren’t always thunderbolts. Sometimes they’re compliments. Sometimes they’re being seen. And sometimes the holiest thing we can do is let it land.

Sacred Ground Is Right Here

We wrapped our conversation by remembering that this book—and this idea of ordinary mysticism—isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about returning to yourself.

Returning to the idea that your life is sacred ground.

That silence in a car with your teenager might be more holy than any perfect prayer. That a bracelet bought at an airport could become a spiritual anchor. That your next moment of awe might come from a flower, a song, or a heartfelt text.

And that love—true love, deep connection—doesn’t require you to earn it.

You get to have it.

Right now.

Right here.

In the sacred mess of your one beautiful life.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Ordinary Mysticism by Mirabai Starr
• Connect with Crystal on Instagram @crystalruthcoaching
• The Questions for Couples Journal

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💖 Want More Tools Like This?

This is exactly the kind of deep, relational work we explore inside Private Coaching with Maggie Reyes. Whether you want to learn how to communicate better, build emotional intimacy, or navigate relationship challenges with more confidence and compassion—I’ve got you.

➡️ Apply for Private Coaching here

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✨ Transparency Note

This blog post was inspired by the The Marriage Life Coach Podcast episode, prepared by my team and helped by AI. IT REALLY TAKES A VILLAGE PEOPLE ;-). 

Thank you for reading, it’s an honor to be part of your day.