FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Inquiring minds want to know…
Who are you, and why did you create this website?
These questions deserve their own page.
What ever possessed you to develop such a long list of books on mysticism?
I’ve been interested in mysticism since I was in high school. I’ve collected books by and about the mystics since then, and I’ve read quite a few of them. But in 2004 I decided I wanted to read the mystics in a more systematic fashion and thus began my personal reading list, which eventually evolved into a list of 111 Mystics of the Western traditions. Currently the books on that list are my top priorities for personal reading, study, and lectio divina. Meanwhile, though, it seemed to make sense to develop an even more extensive bibliography, and that’s how this website came about. I began it in March 2007.
Why do you concentrate on Christian mysticism?
Because I’m a Christian, and therefore I love mysticism particularly in its Christian form. I believe there is a profound difference between mystical Christianity and the moralistic piety that gets dished out from the vast majority of church pulpits. I think many people who have been alienated from institutional Christianity (as I was, for many years) will find profound healing if they approach Christian mysticism with an open mind.
Of course, this site also includes a representative sampling of mystical writings by non-Christians. Like many students of Christian mysticism, I believe that Christian spirituality is enhanced, not detracted, by a balanced study of world faiths. Meanwhile, it is my sincere hope that adherents of the many other great mystical traditions of the world will take it upon themselves to create similar bibliographies, concentrating on their own paths. I have to build on what I know and love, and leave the rest for others.
If you’re a Christian, why do you include so much non-Christian material?
See above. In my experience, Christians who are educated in their faith and confident about the beauty and grace of the Christian message do not find other spiritualities threatening or dangerous. Rather, I have found that most Christians with a deep love for Christian spirituality are open, gracious, and curious about all that is good, true, and beautiful in other faiths. The exemplar in this was the great twentieth century American Catholic mystic, Thomas Merton, who was profoundly interested in Buddhism and Sufism, among other paths. His is an example well worth following.
In my first book, Spirituality, I wrote: “In my experience, my faithfulness to Christ and my openness to the wisdom of other traditions are two aspects of my spiritual journey that have enhanced and enriched each other.” Those words remain true for me today.
Have you read all of the books in this bibliography?
How I wish I could say “Yes”! Thankfully, I have read more than a few. For that matter, I’ve examined virtually all of the books included — like many bibliophiles, I tend to acquire about five books for every one I read all the way through. But truth be told, this bibliography is, on one level, simply a gargantuan “to-read” list of books I hope to get to, someday. I’m happy to note that, in the words of more than one character from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “I’m not dead yet!” So hopefully I will have the opportunity to read many more of these in the days and years to come.
How do you determine what is or isn’t “mystical”? In other words, how do you decide if a book belongs in this bibliography or not?
Trying to define mysticism, whether Christian or otherwise, is an exercise about as rewarding as trying to herd cats. Regarding Christian mysticism, I have a moderate-to-conservative understanding of the word — I think it refers to a type of spiritual experience that is grounded in tradition, defined by prayer, deeply contemplative, and characterized by a profound sense of union-with-God-as-Divine-Other. But it’s important to note that the concept of “mysticism” has evolved over the centuries and early Christian mystics like Evagrius Ponticus or the Pseudo-Dionysius would not have understood mysticism in this way at all; to them the concept would have pertained to liturgy and theology rather than to experience!
World mysticism, on the other hand, I understand more broadly, as referring to any form of profoundly experiential spirituality, of necessity taking many different forms since the world encompasses so many different religious and spiritual paths.
So when deciding if a book belongs here or not, I basically trust my own rather instinctual understanding of what is or isn’t mysticism, and for that matter, what is or isn’t representative or exemplary within the field of mystical experience or mystical studies. Those who know about these things will note that I have a clear preference for figures who have been widely regarded as mystics, particularly by renowned interpreters of mysticism like Evelyn Underhill or Bernard McGinn. Since it’s my list, I also have taken the liberty to include some of my favorite writers and topics, an indulgence for which I hope the users of this list will be appropriately tolerant.
Everyone has an opinion, and those who are amazed that I have left someone out (or included someone) are invited to express their amazement via the comments form at the bottom of this page. Please bear in mind that at the end of the day, I am the final arbiter of what is or is not included in this list.
I’d like to recommend a book for inclusion on this list. How can I do that?
Simply post a comment at the bottom of the page. Please understand that I cannot guarantee that I will include every book suggested, but I will give every suggestion due consideration.
If it’s a book that you’ve written, edited, or published, or are responsible for promoting, please see the next question…
I’ve written/edited/published a book on mysticism. Will you add it to the list?
If a book belongs on this list, I want to know about it! I am happy to review books for possible inclusion on this website. I need to see the actual book before I can determine if it should be included in the list; if a book is particularly noteworthy I will also consider it for the annotated list or for a full-length review. I need to see a finished copy of a book (not the manuscript or galley) and I cannot guarantee that every book I examine will be listed and/or reviewed. Please send review copies to Carl McColman, P.O. Box 1146, Clarkston, GA 30021.
Why don’t you give full bibliographic information?
This website is primarily intended to inspire readers. In other words, my goal is to get myself, and you, and everyone else who visits this site to turn off the computer and start reading some of these wonderful books — and then, hopefully, to put into practice these wisdom teachings and thereby make the world a better place. For this reason, I’m not so worried about who published a book, or in what year. If you really need that information for a particular title, all you need to do is follow the book’s link to amazon.com. Or better yet, purchase your own copy (or at least, go check it out of a library). Checking books out of a library is fine and certainly the right thing to do if your resources are limited. But whenever you can, please buy books by and about the mystics: the more copies of these books that sell, the more publishers will have an incentive to keep them in print and bookstores will stock them, thereby increasing their visibility and their impact on the world.
Do I have to read all these books in order to be a mystic? It seems overwhelming.
First things first: you don’t have to do anything in order to be a mystic except be open to receiving the love of God. Reading a book won’t do it, neither will meditating real hard or knowing all the right doctrines or “secret hidden teachings” (and I tend to be suspicious of stuff like that, since Christianity has been an open-source religion for at least the past 1600 years). The mystical life is not something we achieve or make happen; it is a gift given by God.
As for all these books: I offer this list out of love and joy. No one needs to read any of these books — but I believe most people will find books on this list that will bring them great insight, spiritual wisdom, and a deep abiding sense of Divine Love. As you scan over the list, focus only on what interests you. Leave the rest of the list for another day (or another person).
Hey, aren’t you the author of books on Neopaganism and Celtic spirituality?
Yes, that’s me. From 1997 to 2004 I was estranged from Christianity and identified as a Neopagan. During this time I wrote eight books which were published between 2001 and 2005. Many of them are still in print and can be purchased from my Books page. The story of my journey from Neopaganism back to Christianity can be found here.
What can I do to help?
- Buy and read these books. When you follow the links I’ve provided to amazon.com and purchase your books there, a small portion of your purchase is paid to me as a commission. It’s a win-win: you buy a book, this website gets support, and best of all, another book on mysticism is getting read!
- Tell people about this website. Send the link to your friends, have it mentioned in your church bulletin, make an announcement in your class. Remember, the real goal is not just to support this website, but to get people to buy — and read — these books.
- If you have a website of your own, please link back to www.anamchara.com (to point to my blog) or to www.bibliomystic.com (to point to the booklist). Better yet, provide a link to both URLS: the more inbound links to this website, the higher it will appear on search engines like Google or Yahoo!
Thank you for your interest and your support.
Dear Carl:
I bought today your book “The Aspiring Mystic” and i am impressed.
For several years I have been interested in the topic and I read a lot about. But this book made an impact in me.
I am wondering if you give workshops that I can attend.
In fact I am interested and visit you and talk with you. Is it possible?
Please let me know.
Thanks
Marco
Thanks, Marco. The best way to stay in touch is through this blog or by subscribing to my email newsletter at mccolman-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Since I work full-time and have a special needs child at home I’m not on the road very much; I do offer classes from time to time in the Atlanta area. I send out information about upcoming classes via the newsletter.
As for personal contact, I only have limited time available and mostly it goes to people who are seeking editorial or writing support. My consulting fee is $100 per hour. Out of fairness to the clients who are paying for my time as a writer/editor, I charge the same amount regardless of the reason why people wish to work with me. If what you are seeking is spiritual guidance, I really recommend that you save yourself the money and find a qualified spiritual director in your home town (visit http://www.sdiworld.org for resources for finding a spiritual guide/director).
I am so pleased that The Aspiring Mystic is speaking to you. Many blessings to you on your journey!
I just stopped by to invite you to a new Christian Mysticism discussion list, and wondered if you’d like to join… I would not presume, but wanted to make you aware of it, and I would love to hear you in the conversations.
Blessings to you this Sunday,
Only by His marvelous Grace,
Paul Kiler
* Group home page: http://groups.google.com/group/christian-mysticism?hl=en
Carl,
Much like yourself, I had delved into Neopaganism for a period in my life and have just recently returned to my Christian roots. Also, like yourself and Fr. Louis (Thomas Merton), I am able to utilize influences from other traditions to foster my own spiritual growth, especially Buddhism.
I am wondering, though, how the Catholic church has reacted to you and your ongoing teachings. No doubt, much of what you have to say would be deemed as heretical. I ask this becuause I am attracted to a lot of what the Catholic church has to offer but, at the same time, I am gravely concerned about its intolerance towards more “liberal” thinking.
Just curious,
jerry
Hi Jerry, thanks for your message. Since I am not an “official” voice of the Catholic church, the fact that I teach classes on Ken Wilber or even Teresa of Avila is simply a non-issue, at least as far as my priest is concerned. He’s been bugging me to come teach a class on neo-paganism at my church, but so far I’ve resisted, mainly because I don’t want to get into an argument with conservative Catholics! It’s true that Catholicism has a strong conservative voice, one that is emboldened by how conservative the Vatican is these days (let alone the influence of EWTN!). But progressive Catholicism did not die with Thomas Merton. Check out organizations like Call to Action, Voice of the Faithful, Contemplative Outreach, or Pax Christi: that’s where you’ll find progressive Catholics hanging out. Read authors like Richard Rohr, Thomas Keating, Joan Chittister, or Garry Wills. Make no mistake: it’s not easy being a progressive Catholic, and the aggressive conservatism of the church explicitly wants to silence voices of dissent. So I would only counsel progressives to become Catholic if they are clear that they have a call to walk this rather lonely road, and can “stand the heat” of worshipping in a community that fears or attacks them. “Blessed are you when you are persecuted for my name’s sake…” but for many progressive Christians, a more congenial environment like the Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ is simply a better choice. Blessings to you on your journey!
Dear Carl,
I’m reading your book “Before You Cast A Spell” and it is the first book that MAKES SENSE to me re: spell casting (or prayer as I like to think of it) AND it jibes with my Christian beliefs. I was raised Episcopalian, although I don’t know where I fit in at this point.
I read your walk from Pagan to Christianity and it brought tears to my eyes because I relate to your experience. It is mine right now. I don’t know where I fit.
Last year I decided to write my own ‘bible’ of sorts, to start sorting out what I believed. I have quotes and stories from EVERYTHING in there – Gnosticism, Paganism, The Tao, Gary Zukav, Manly P Hall – it’s a mish mash. Where does someone like me find a spiritual home when I don’t fit solidly into anywhere?!
I can’t be untrue to myself, I DO believe that faith is the operative word in any belief system. But where I have sought to honor my faith, there is no real life/energy of the divine present. I had a conversion experience in 1993 that permanently changed my heart and connected me to, what the Christian church would call the Risen Christ. I went along fine for 3 years and then, one day I was sitting in church and I looked around and it didn’t work anymore. I couldn’t completely honor the male-dominated system. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. It just needed more. So I started seeking out the Goddess in all sorts of forms and eventually came to Paganism, Wicca in particular.
However, I can not honestly believe in all the Pagan Gods. Although I’d like to, I can’t pray to them. I believe in the feminine part of the deity, Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom and I believe in the energy of God/Spirit that is in all living things. The polarity is so important. I believe that prayer can move that Spirit – as you talk about magic moving energy as a form of spiritual transformation. I don’t know…I’ve rambled, I guess.
I just thought I’d touch base with you because I think we are kindred spirits and maybe you can give me some direction to go. I know there’s got to be more of me out there – but where? I’m going to pick up a copy of your book The Aspiring Mystic when I get a chance.
OH! And by the way, I just discovered Library Thing, too (janehutchi is my username). I’ve only cataloged about 200 of my books (I have around 1500?) and so far we share two. I checked. The Tao and Markings. Anyway, I just thought I’d drop you a line and let you know that your words have moved my world very deeply today. No answers for me, but a lot to think about and pray about. Drop me an e-mail if you feel so inclined.
Thank you,
Jane
Thanks, Jane. I appreciate your story, it does sound like we share some common ground. The Aspiring Mystic is out of print at the moment but fortunately inexpensive copies are readily available through websites like Half.com or Abebooks.com or Amazon’s “Marketplace” feature. I hope you enjoy it. Be gentle with the question of “where do I belong?” – if all else fails, check out the Unitarians, they are very supportive of a personally crafted faith.
Dear Carl,
I am an agnostic and former pagan. I was raised Catholic, but grew tired after years of emotional abuse from the clergy, and left. I tried returning to Christianity ten years ago, but got sick of all the stressing about being a sinner, saving my soul from hell, and everything else.
You said in one of the answers above that those who have been alienated from Christianity may find solace if they approach Christian mysticism with an open mind. How so?
Thank you so much,
Tara
Tara, thank you for your question. Everyone’s experience is different, so I can only speak about my own journey. Growing up in a middle class Lutheran Church, I was taught a version of Christianity that was basically moralistic — be a good person and go to heaven when you die — coupled with an insistence that we are justified by faith, which seemed to mean that we had to believe in unbelievable things. From there I discovered fundamentalism and neopentecostalism, which wasn’t as bland as liberal Protestantism but seemed to place so much emphasis on God’s wrath and anger that I simply in good conscience couldn’t accept it. All this time, I had never been exposed to the mystical/contemplative tradition within Christianity. But when I finally did encounter that tradition, I discovered not only a lineage of men and women who experienced spirituality as a mind-expanding immersion into cosmic love, but I also discovered that there is a strong tradition of Christian mystical agnosticism: that mystics insist we can never fully know God, and that indeed the only honest stance is to admit all that we don’t know of and about God. This is called the apophatic tradition or the tradition of negative theology and unknowing (hence the name of my blog). For me, the combination of the intellectual honesty of apophatic spirituality joined with the beautiful poetry of mysticism-as-union-with-Divine-Love made this largely marginalized thread of Christian tradition deeply appealing, and basically made it possible for me to be a Christian, even within a church (Catholicism) where on a purely social and political level I struggle with so many of its institutional limitations and failings.
So I really do believe that, approached with an open mind, mysticism can be a way for someone wounded by or frustrated by the church to sustain or revive a meaningful experience of Christian spirituality. That being said, I also have to acknowledge that mysticism has its own problems — many of the great mystics were unfortunately colored by the failings of the church, and so they use language that is at times harsh, dualistic, or exclusionary, even while they also manage to break through human limitations and encounter the deep stillness of Divine Love. So even mystics have to be read with an honest and discerning mind. Furthermore, because mysticism is so marginalized within contemporary Christianity, don’t expect to find your local priest or pastor doing cartwheels when he or she learns that you are a student of mysticism. Many Christians (both lay and ordained) either don’t know what mysticism is, or else are vaguely suspicious of it, because they think it is “occult” or “eastern” and therefore “un-Christian.” So mysticism is hardly a silver bullet. But for the person who is willing to explore the riches of Christian spirituality, and willing to take the time to find others with a similar interest (monasteries are often a good place to look), mysticism can be a powerful conduit for Divine Love and grace to flow into our lives.
Good luck with your journey, Tara. Whereever it may take you, trust the process, and be gentle and patient with your self.
Hello Carl,
I am glad you mentioned above, that it is not necessary to do anything to be a mystic except be open to Gods love. It seems to me that either one has the spark inside or not. No matter what one does themselves, only God can awaken that in ourselves, sometimes in very unexpected ways.
Unfortuneately, today many seekers chase after those they think can give them the answers, when Jesus simply said “Look Within!”.
There is much we can learn from others, but there comes a time when one has to quit looking for what others are saying and experience what we ourselves are feeling, seeing and living.
Gary
Hello Carl,
I just wanted to mention that I enjoy your site very much and am intrigued by your honesty and authenticity in your approach to your spiritual journey. I am a Pagan (and that has always been my only religious identity – I was raised a liberal atheist ), and while I am extremely committed to my faith and find it fills me with joy and struggle as I believe spirituality ought to, at the same time I am consumed by an interest in Christian liturgy (holy communion particularly), Gnosticism, and the Mysticism teachings of a variety of faiths, predominately Christian and Jewish. I have also developed an interest in emergent theology a la Brian McLaren, who I think has some very radical and important things to say, and I see that you too like his work.
This general passion for religion led me to study theology at a Protestant seminary, and I had a wonderful experience there. I have spent the time since supporting my partner in his goals and being engaged in my own discernment process to see where all this has been leading me – the spiritual/vocational journey is always an interesting one!
So from this aspiring Pagan Mystic to one Christian Mystic I say Hello and Thank You for such a wonderful site.
-S