The Christian mystics are the treasure of Western civilization—yet they remain little known among those of us who are potentially their spiritual heirs. Andrew Harvey's anthology confronts us with the mystics in their own words, to show us how well they serve, even now, as guides for the spiritual life—and to challenge our preconceived ideas about the path of Christianity. He has chosen selections that represent all eras of the Christian tradition, as well as the amazing range of people who have embodied it, people like Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Bede Griffiths, and many others.
The Teachings of The Order of Christian Mystics Awaken the Inner Life. THE MYSTIC LIFE An introduction to mysticism and a clear exposition of its meaning, its scope and its importance in the daily life. Just the thing to place in the hands of one who is beginning to aspire and think for himself. Contents Contains chapters on How Mysticism Solves the World's Problems. The Path of Discipleship. Illumination. The Mystic Christ. Recommendations for Daily Living."
With over 300 quotations, this book invites the reader to delve into the writings of the great contemplatives and mystics of the past two thousand years. The Little Book of Christian Mysticism provides a user-friendly, insightful, and potentially life-changing introduction to the essential teachings of the greatest mystics in the western wisdom traditions, past and present, including Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Underhill, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Julian of Norwich. Readers can use this book to initiate themselves into this visionary and ecstatic spiritual lineage, and they can also use it as a book of daily meditations. Small enough to fit in one's pocket or handbag, this is truly a user-friendly introduction to this venerable body of wisdom.
The Teachings of The Order of Christian Mystics Set the Inner Spiritual Pattern for Life. THE PATTERN LIFE The Symbolic Life of Christ Every seeker and initiate is destined to walk the same well trodden path of those that have come before. There is but one universal story of the initiate. The One Pattern Life we are all in the process of unfolding. Based on the Life of the Master Jesus. The most astonishing yet revealing interpretation of the Gospel story. Gives it a new spiritual yet logical and scientific appeal. The result of Dr. Curtiss' 20 years of painstaking and scholarly research in the fields of comparative religion, philosophy, psychology and sym-bolism. The results are astonishing if not sensational in the religious field. Not dry scholastic argument, but applied to the daily experiences of our lives. Gives the only satisfactory explanation of the many inaccuracies and flat contradictions in the Gospels. Accepts the historical facts recently discovered, but definitely refutes the materialistic conclusions of the "higher critics" and mythologists. A great reconciler of conflicting opinions and theories. Contents -Introduction. The Universal Solar Myth. The basis of all world religions. -The Annunciations. To Elizabeth and Zacharias. To Mary and Joseph. Why made by Gabriel? -The Immaculate Conception. Why disputed for ages? Was Joseph the real father of Jesus? -The Birth of the Christ. Actual date unknown. Why Dec. 25th was chosen. Its meaning in our daily lives. -The Wise Men and the Star. How could a star stand still over a certain spot and then turn South? What it really was. Who were the Wise Men? -The Shepherds and the Sheep. Why the revelation was made to humble shepherds and not to the high priests. -The Manger and the Swaddling Clothes. Why was Christ born in a stable? Meaning of swaddling clothes. -Gifts of the Wise Men. Symbology of gold, frankincense and myrrh, their meaning. -Herod and the Wise Men. Gives the key to many otherwise unex-plained experiences in our lives. -The Flight and Massacre. Were any children actually slain? How many? Why denied by St. Luke? -Twelve Years of Age. Where was Jesus during His early years? Why 12 is an important age. -The Baptism. John. Why did Jesus need to be baptized by John? Its meaning. -The Baptism. The Christ. Why did Jesus wait until He was 30 before baptism? -The Baptism. The Jordan. The physical features of the Jordan. Their significance. -The Temptation. The Fast. Why did Jesus need to fast 40 days? Its significance. -The Temptation. The Tempter. Why did Jesus submit to temptation by the devil when He knew who it was? -The Marriage in Cana. How and why was the water turned into wine? Its symbology and application. -The Betrayal. Why did Jesus permit Judas to betray Him when He knew of the intention long in advance? -The Crucifixion. Why was this tragedy permitted? Why between thieves? Its significance. -Three Days in the Tomb. What took place during that interval? Its meaning. -The Resurrection. How could Jesus survive, appear and disappear through closed doors at will? -The Ascension. How was Jesus' body changed so that "flesh and blood" could inherit the kingdom of heaven? -Elaborate Appendix. Star map of the heavens. The actual astronomi-cal events of the Sun Cycle. Various birth dates. Why Dec. 25th was chosen. Inaccuracies and flat contradictions explained. -Will cause as many happily changed lives as any other of "The Curtiss Books." -Illustrated with a hitherto unpublished picture of the Master Jesus.
An anthology of the most lyrical, passionate, illuminating writings of the Hindu mystical tradition. Some of the most lyrical, passionate, and illuminating writings of the Hindu mystical tradition are showcased in this anthology. Spiritual scholar and writer Andrew Harvey has selected excerpts from ancient and contemporary sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and other classical Hindu texts; the words of such venerable spiritual teachers as Ramakrishna and Ramana Maharshi; and the devotional poetry of Mirabai, Ramprasad, and many others. The scope of the collection makes it an excellent introduction to Hindu mystical literature, while the power and beauty of the language will inspire those already familiar with the genre. This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
Christian Mystics: 108 Seers, Saints and Sages celebrates the many types of mystics, visionaries, wisdom keepers, and non-dualists whose spiritual insight and perceptive teachings have illuminated the Christian tradition for the past two thousand years. Looking at 108 mystics from Biblical times to the present day, this user-friendly guide shows how the spiritual masters of the western tradition provide a variety of paths into the transforming heart of God. Everyone needs teachers and companions to guide and nurture us in developing rich interior lives -- as we seek to respond to the beatifying, deifying love of God. The mystics, whose legacy includes sublime poetry, fascinating autobiographies, and potentially life-changing teachings, can help anyone find greater love, purpose, and a deeper sense of God's presence. But the mystics are not a uniform bunch, which is why this book is such an essential guide to their lives, wisdom, and essential teachings. Carl McColman, author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, organizes the mystics into nine categories: visionaries, confessors, lovers, poets, saints, heretics, wisdom keepers, soul-friends, and unitives. By profiling twelve examples of great mystics and spiritual teachers in each category, the book can help you to learn more about the mystics, and identify those whose writings will be most valuable to you as you pursue your own adventure of falling ever more deeply in love with God.All of the most famous Christian mystics are profiled here: figures like Teresa of çvila, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton, and anonymous masters like the authors of classics like The Cloud of Unknowing or The Way of a Pilgrim. But the book also will introduce you to many lesser known (but truly wonderful) mystical geniuses, such as Beatrice of Nazareth, Gregory of Narek, and Coventry Patmore. Nor does the book shy away from living (or recently living) mystics: visionaries such as Howard Thurman, Sara Grant, Kenneth Leech, and Bruno Barnhart are all included.This informative volume will appeal to those who buy religious reference books and anyone interested in Christian mysticism or western spirituality. But it's more than just a history book or an encyclopedia: Christian Mystics: 108 Seers, Saints and Sages is a curated celebration of western spiritual wisdom, making it accessible for all seekers today.
In popular usage, "mysticism" typically refers to New Age or Eastern forms of spirituality. However, the mystical tradition is also an important component of the Christian tradition. At its heart--and much like its expression in other faith traditions--Christian mysticism is an ancient practice that incorporates meditation, contemplation, worship, philosophy, the quest for personal enlightenment, and the experience of Divine presence. This volume is a comprehensive introduction and guide to Christian mysticism. It is a big book about a big possibility: the hope of achieving real, blissful, experiential unison with God. Among the topics covered here are a general introduction to mysticism, the Bible and mysticism, the history and types of Christian mysticism, biographical sketches of leading Christian mystics, and practical instructions about practicing mysticism today. This is a breathtaking work that explores a form of spirituality that has changed lives over the course of 2,000 years. Learning about Christian mysticism and how it has been articulated through the centuries will prove inspirational for today's seekers, regardless of the faith tradition. "The mystic is not a special kind of person; every person is a special kind of mytic." --William McNamara
As Matthew Fox notes, when an aging Albert Einstein was asked if he had any regrets, he replied, “I wish I had read more of the mystics earlier in my life.” The 365 writings in Christian Mystics represent a wide-ranging sampling of these readings for modern-day seekers of all faiths — or no faith. Fox is uniquely qualified to comment on these profound, sometimes startling, often denounced insights. In 1998, this longtime member of the Dominican Order was silenced by Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, for his Creation Spirituality, an ecumenical teaching that embraces gender justice, social justice, and eco-justice. The daily readings he shares here speak to the sacredness of the earth, awe and gratitude, darkness and shadow, compassion and creativity, sacred sexuality, and peacemaking.
