Comments on: Why Read the Mystics? http://anamchara.com/2007/07/07/why-read-the-mystics/ a blog (et cetera) by Carl McColman Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:18:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Peter http://anamchara.com/2007/07/07/why-read-the-mystics/#comment-977 Peter Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:41:31 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/07/07/why-read-the-mystics/#comment-977 Thanks, Carl, for this clear distinction between the two types of reading. I especially appreciate the difference between questioning the text (in critical reading) and submitting to let the text question you (in devotional reading). This honors the various faculties ("agents" as per M. Eckhart) of the human soul, leaving us free (because grace does not force itself on us) but keeping us properly accountable to the potential of what is available to all in our mystical experience. It is this second form of reading that makes the Bible and all forms of true spiritual writing the most valuable it can be for us. I am greatly looking forward to the Beatific Vision, and I ask, "Why wait? Why not get started now?!" Thanks again, Carl, Peter Thanks, Carl, for this clear distinction between the two types of reading. I especially appreciate the difference between questioning the text (in critical reading) and submitting to let the text question you (in devotional reading). This honors the various faculties (”agents” as per M. Eckhart) of the human soul, leaving us free (because grace does not force itself on us) but keeping us properly accountable to the potential of what is available to all in our mystical experience. It is this second form of reading that makes the Bible and all forms of true spiritual writing the most valuable it can be for us. I am greatly looking forward to the Beatific Vision, and I ask, “Why wait? Why not get started now?!”
Thanks again, Carl,
Peter

]]> By: Brother Tadhg http://anamchara.com/2007/07/07/why-read-the-mystics/#comment-906 Brother Tadhg Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:13:59 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/07/07/why-read-the-mystics/#comment-906 Hi Great post and I concur. Thanks for writing it. Humbly, might I suggest a third reason for reading the mystics, and that of 'strangeness'! Their way of looking at the world was different(and therefore 'strange) to twenty-first century man/woman, and it causes us to anyalyse more deeply what they're saying. Jesus used that type of thinking when he said, youve heard it said, but I say...', and in answer to where are you mother, brothers etc, he spoke of his followers as being member of his family, which would cause any Jew of that day to sit up and listen intently, because it's using words, phrases and thoughts in ways different to what is considered the norm. I can heartily recommend the works of Julian Of Norwich, the works of Meister Eckhart, and as regards lectio divina I can recommend a book, albeit 20 yrs old, called 'Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina' by Thelma Hall (Author). Brother Tadhg Hi
Great post and I concur. Thanks for writing it.

Humbly, might I suggest a third reason for reading the mystics, and that of ’strangeness’! Their way of looking at the world was different(and therefore ’strange) to twenty-first century man/woman, and it causes us to anyalyse more deeply what they’re saying. Jesus used that type of thinking when he said, youve heard it said, but I say…’, and in answer to where are you mother, brothers etc, he spoke of his followers as being member of his family, which would cause any Jew of that day to sit up and listen intently, because it’s using words, phrases and thoughts in ways different to what is considered the norm.

I can heartily recommend the works of Julian Of Norwich, the works of Meister Eckhart, and as regards lectio divina I can recommend a book, albeit 20 yrs old, called ‘Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina’ by Thelma Hall (Author).

Brother Tadhg

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