The Big Book of Christian Mysticism
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Welcome
THE WEBSITE OF UNKNOWING (www.anamchara.com) is all about Celtic, contemplative, emergent, and mystical spirituality, and assorted other topics.
Click on these book covers to learn more about books by Carl McColman, or click here to buy copies.
Upcoming Class
Introduction to Christian Mysticism through Emory University's "Evening at Emory" Program.
The renowned twentieth century German theologian Karl Rahner said, “The Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not exist at all.” What could he have meant by this? In the popular mind, mysticism is associated with eastern spirituality, like Yoga or Zen. But there is a little-known tradition of meditation and spiritual awakening even within Christianity. This non-sectarian class will survey the history of Christian mysticism from Biblical times to the present, explore the meaning of mysticism and why Christians often view it with suspicion, and consider the role that mysticism might play in Christianity of the present and future.
Textbook: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism.
Instructor: Carl McColman
September 23-October 21, 2010
7:00-9:00 pm
Click here to registerSpeaking of Mysticism
Carl McColman talks about mysticism: what it is, and why it matters, in this interview which originally aired on Atlanta's AM 1690 in September 2008. Click here to listen:Newsletter
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Whenever I post to this blog, an announcement is generated for my Twitter feed, so you can always keep up to date with what's going on here.What others say…
"www.anamchara.com is a beautiful site that lists books and web sites introducing all aspects of Christian mysticism."— Abbot Christopher Jamison, host of "The Monastery" on the BBC
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"Thanks, Carl, for your fine and much needed work."— Richard Rohr, author of
Everything Belongs: The Gift
of Contemplative Prayer
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Finding the Monk Within
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"Carl McColman is part Ken Wilber, part Richard Rohr, and part Indiana Jones’ dad."— Brittian Bullock, blogger, Sensual Jesus
"As a former professor of education, I tend to critique instructors rather severely. However, Carl McColman, in my opinion, ranks as one of the all-time great instructors. He has an unbelievable mastery of his subject matter & an uncanny ability to translate esoteric matter into understandable form. On top of that, he's very personable. This is my second Evening at Emory Class with Carl and I will sign up for any class that he teaches!"— Student evaluation formArchives
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Author Archives: Carl McColman
Announcing my Day1 “Key Voices” Blog
I’m happy to announce that I am now blogging for the “Key Voices” blog of the Day1 website. Day1 is the website for a syndicated radio show, hosted by my Facebook friend Peter Wallace, that is sponsored by a consortium … Continue reading
Mark Your Calendars…
For my Atlanta area friends: I’ll be out and about quite a bit over the next few months, promoting my book (but, more importantly, talking about Christian mysticism). Several churches and bookstores have invited me to come speak and sign … Continue reading
Quote for the Day
The idea of memory was very important in Celtic spirituality. There are lovely prayers for different occasions. There are prayers for the hearth, for kindling the fire, and for smooring the hearth. At night, the ashes were smoored over the … Continue reading
Christian Mysticism on the Kindle
Good news for ebook readers: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism is now available for Kindle (and Kindle apps)! This represents the most economical way yet to buy the book (assuming you have a computer or device that runs a … Continue reading
Introduction to Christian Mysticism: Evening at Emory
Registration for the “Introduction to Christian Mysticism” class offered through Evening at Emory is now online. To register, click here. The class will meet for five Thursday evenings starting on September 23 and continuing through October 21. The class will … Continue reading
Contemplation and Mysticism
The same monk who asked me to define “ordinary mysticism” (see yesterday’s post) also asked me to define the distinction between mysticism and contemplation. To do so, I thought I would turn to an authority that I suspect he would … Continue reading
Posted in Christian mysticism, Contemplation
Tagged Catechism of the Catholic Church, Contemplation, Mysticism
4 Comments
“Ordinary Mysticism”
A quote from The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: Mysticism can best be understood in an egalitarian and inclusive way… you don’t have to have supernatural experiences in order to be a mystic; therefore, everyone is called, if not to … Continue reading
The Unformed Future
National Catholic Reporter has published a wonderful article about the recent “Emerging Church” conference in Albuquerque, hosted by Richard Rohr and featuring Shane Claiborne, Cynthia Bourgeault, and others. Read about it here: The Unformed Future
Posted in Emergent
Tagged Cynthia Bourgeault, emerging church, Richard Rohr, Shane Claiborne
3 Comments
Zen and the Art of Describing World Mysticism
A man named Jason who is currently reading The Big Book of Christian Mysticism writes: I am only a few chapters in, but I do already have a question. When talking about mystical streams in other religions you bring up … Continue reading
Posted in Christian mysticism, Mysticism
Tagged Buddhism, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Vajrayana, world mysticism, zen
13 Comments
Quote for the Day
Meister Eckhart once wrote that it is delusion to think that we can obtain more of God by contemplation or pious devotions than by being at the kitchen hearth or working in the merchants’ stalls. This is hard to believe … Continue reading
Truth and Mercy, Justice and Peace
A person reading The Big Book of Christian Mysticism emailed me this morning to comment on my reflection on the paradox of mercy and justice in chapter seven. He sent me a link to an essay by the peacemaker John … Continue reading
Posted in Activism
Tagged conflict resolution, conflict transformation, John Paul Lederach, justice, mercy, Nicaragua, peace, Peacemaking, Truth
3 Comments
Margery napping
Just another cute picture for your Sunday afternoon enjoyment.
Quote for the Day
Truly, it is the indescribable sweetness of contemplation which You give to those who love you. — Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
Posted in Contemplation, Quotations
Tagged Contemplation, Imitation of Christ, Quotations, Quote for the Day, Thomas à Kempis
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My first Twitter review
The Big Book of Christian Mysticism has received its first (to my knowledge) review — on Twitter. It comes from the user @Tmason47 (disclosure: he’s a friend), and here it is, verbatim: @mccolman I am enjoying the balances that you … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Reviews
Tagged BBOCM, Reviews, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Twitter
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Quote for the Day
Because ‘mystical experience’ lies far beyond description, it is sometimes assumed that all such experiences, in whatever context they occur, must be the same – a unity at the heart of all religions; but that remains an assumption: it clearly … Continue reading
A Dream in Light and Dark
Last night I dreamt the following dream. I woke up just before three AM, and wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget it. The dream began in a large, bustling, beautiful church, radiant with soft light and featuring marble flooring, … Continue reading
Posted in dreams
Tagged Church, Light, dark, old friends, Sewanee, Anglo-Catholicism, dreams, Episcopal Church, cyclops
2 Comments
Quote for the Day
When contemplation makes you one with God in spirit, love, and will, you’re “above” yourself because you’ve only reached that state by grace and not by your own efforts. You’re also “under” God then, even though contemplative prayer makes you … Continue reading
Embracing Contemplative Depth (on God’s Terms)
A reader writes (and I quote him with his permission): You seem very knowledgeable and deep and compassionate all at the same time. I sense a depth to you that is rather rare. How do I go about getting to … Continue reading
Posted in Christian mysticism, Contemplation, spirituality
Tagged Celtic saints, Contemplation, depth, fruit of the spirit, God, Holiness, Love, monastic charisms, Mysticism, serenity prayer, spirituality, virtues
6 Comments
