How Does My New Christian Mysticism Book Differ from the Old Edition?

Posted on by Carl McColman
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A reader on Facebook wrote,

Congratulations the new book. Just curious how the new one is different from the older? 😎❤️

I’ve been meaning to write a blog post explaining the difference, so thanks for the nudge!

Here’s the run down. Keep in mind that The New Book of Christian Mysticism is both revised and expanded from the original version.

  • The new edition is 33% longer than the original. (old edition: 94,000 words; new edition: 140,000); this translates to over ninety pages longer (but the price only went up by one dollar: what a bargain!)
  • The new edition features five new chapters covering these topics:
    • The Centrality of Christ in Christian Mysticism;
    • The Social Dimension of Christian Mysticism;
    • The Erotic Dimension of Christian Mysticism;
    • The Importance of Embodiment in Christian Mysticism;
    • Essential Practices for Living a Mystical Life;
  • Additionally, almost all of the existing chapters have been completely revised line by line, sometimes significantly or entirely rewritten, and containing new material. For example, the chapter on the origins of Christian mysticism has a greatly expanded section on the Jewish contribution;
  • In revising the book, I’ve made the following conscious editorial changes:
    • Whenever possible, to acknowledge and amplify the diversity of mysticism. Historically, Western Christian mysticism has been dominated by European voices, but there’s nothing implicitly Eurocentric about it. So in this edition I have sought to make sure that mystics and contemplatives who come from outside Europe and North America, and/or who are BIPOC contemplatives, are better represented (while taking the spotlight off of some of the “usual suspects”). Think of it this way: more Howard Thurman, less Thomas Merton (although there’s still plenty of Merton in the book);
    • Especially in the chapter on “the Mystical Body” but indeed throughout the book, to emphasize community rather than church. This is in part due to my own fraught relationship with the church in its institutional form, but also recognizing that increasing numbers of people who are engaged with the teachings of Jesus Christ are conscientiously separated from institutional “churchianity.” Christianity is a communal faith, and many people find their faith community in a traditional church or parish, but not all do, and so this new edition acknowledges that reality;
    • To sharpen the message that mysticism is for everyone. It’s such a deeply engrained idea, especially within institutional church culture, that mysticism is for the spiritual elite. But that is rarely if ever the message of the mystics themselves, and especially in terms of contemplative practice, historically the understanding has been that we are all, sooner or later, called into the unitive silence of deep contemplation. So this new edition begins with the assumption that “the universal call to holiness” is in fact a “universal call to contemplation” and that everyone who reads this book is called to manifest the mystery in some unique and beautiful way;
    • To emphasize Karl Rahner’s challenge (“The Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not exist”). If anything, Christianity — especially in its institutional form — is more in crisis now than it was a thirteen years ago when the first edition was published. So this new edition really is built around the idea that mysticism may be the essential key to Christianity’s future;
  • Finally, in revising this book, I’ve had a stronger sense that not all readers will identify as Christian (certain as church-going Christians) and that not all readers will even necessarily be friendly toward Christianity. I have a stronger sense of how pervasive religious trauma is than I did fifteen years ago, and therefore a stronger sense of how many people have been hurt by Christianity (and other faiths). So hopefully the tone of the new book is humbler, and certainly less triumphalist, then the old version was.

So those are the main bits. If you enjoyed the first edition of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, I believe you’ll love this new version — it’s almost like getting to see the extended length director’s cut of your favorite movie. And the book has received plenty of praise from early readers (see below). I hope you’ll pre-order a copy today — here are the links to do so:

Patreon special: If you are (or become) a Patreon member, supporting my work at the $35/month or higher level, I will send you an autographed copy of The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism with my compliments (to receive this offer, join Patreon and be sure to list your mailing address so I’ll know where to send your book). There are lots of other benefits to joining Patreon as well, so check it out: Click here to join Patreon.

Otherwise, here’s how to get the book from one of the following sources:

Advance Praise for The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism:

“Fine dining here, divine nutrition, a feast of good flavors, each dish more than satisfying and yet seducing you on to the whole grand buffet.  Carl McColman has gathered into one place the salty, the savory, the sweet, and the sensuous of the mystical Tradition. He cooks with all the ingredients of the collective unconscious– which is the One Holy Spirit.  Taste and be very well fed!” — Fr.Richard Rohr, O.F.M., author of The Universal Christ and The Naked Now

“The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism is a guidebook for going deeper on the mystical path. This revised and expanded edition remains thoughtful, insightful and grounded in scholarship; as before, what really makes it sing is the authenticity of the author’s own contemplative journey.” —The Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, Ph.D., author of The Heart of Centering Prayer and The Corner of Fourth and Nondual

“Mainstream religion, highjacked to a dualistic and zero-sum worldview pitting us against one another and against the planet, is poisoning the human soul. The antidote isn’t reason or secular humanism or even liberal religion, but mysticism: the direct seeing into the nondual Divine happening as all reality. Carl McColman’s The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism provides this antidote for anyone who dares to read it. If you identify as Christian, make this book a new Gospel. If you are not, read it as a catalyst to finding the mystic heart of your own spiritual identity.” — Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent

“Comprehensive, accessible, and dynamic, Carl McColman’s New Big Book of Christian Mysticism is a masterpiece! Chock-full of everything you need to know about mysticism, it’s practical, too. When we read books on spirituality, we want to sense that the author is a practicing contemplative and writing from experience. This meaningfully revised and expanded edition of McColman’s acclaimed classic shows that it transformed during the last decade and more in the author’s own walk along the contemplative path. Offering us a rich mix of history, clear explanation, expertise, practical application, attention to the social dimension, inclusivity, community, and resources for further learning, the New Big Book of Christian Mysticism helps us realize: “If your heart is truly open, it will change your life.” For these chaotic days, this wisdom leads us gently into the deeply ordinary, very human, keenly subversive, and joyful activity we simply call contemplation. McColman’s treasure helps us know more presence, silence, self-compassion, compassion for others, hope, and peace. A must for every spiritual seeker!” — Carmen Acevedo Butcher, PhD, translator of The Cloud of Unknowing, Practice of the Presence by Brother Lawrence, and Hildegard of Bingen

“The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism is the right book by the right author at the right time. It is accessible to experienced contemplatives and curious not-yet-beginners alike, and it will guide you to the most fruitful pathways in what Carl McColman rightly calls the best-kept secret of the Christian tradition. I’m so glad that I can recommend this book to many of my friends!” — Brian D. McLaren, author of Do I Stay Christian? and Faith After Doubt

 “Carl McColman’s The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism is accessible for those brand new to mysticism and a deep dive for those who have been studying it a lifetime. In this new edition, McColman explores mysticism’s direct connection to topics like embodiment, social justice, eroticism, and sexuality, inviting the reader into mysticism’s aliveness.” — Cassidy Hall, MDiv, MTS, MA, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and author of Notes on Silence

“A mystic is one whose eyes are open to seeing the Eternal in every fleeting moment of human life on this Earth, and whose heart is open to the Love that permeates through each and everything in this universe. This new volume lays out more of the rich treasures of the Christian tradition for those aspiring to awaken their mystic heart.” — Ruben L.F. Habito, Author of Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible and Living Zen, Loving God

“An amazing resource! If you want to have a sense of the varieties of the Christian spiritual life and insight into the Mystical way; this is a necessary read. You can spend hours wandering through this amazing book. I have.” — James Ishmael Ford, author of If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life and co-editor of The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen’s Most Famous Koan

“In this generous theoretical and practical exploration of Christian Mysticism, we are offered a compelling Christ-shaped vision of how each of us can live uniquely in the mystery of God’s love. In his usual accessible and down-to-earth writing style, Carl McColman both deepens our longing to know this Great Love for ourselves and to make it more real where we live and work. This labor of love will be a treasured gift for God’s children from all backgrounds.” — Trevor Hudson, Minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and author of Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St Ignatius and Dallas Willard

Praise for the first edition:

“Carl McColman’s book on Christian mysticism is a masterpiece of scholarship and wisdom. This author obviously earned his understanding of mysticism through years of research as well as his own personal spiritual journey and there is no more powerful combination for inspired writing.” —Caroline Myss, author of Entering the Castle and Anatomy of the Spirit

“Carl McColman has both studied and practiced the Christian mystical tradition, stressing its earthiness and ‘ordinariness.’ Like Thomas Merton, Michael Ramsey, and others, he holds that mysticism is not an esoteric realm reserved for the very holy, but is what all Christian life is about. I strongly commend this book.” —Kenneth Leech, author of Soul Friend and Prayer and Prophecy

“Charmingly and conversationally written, but also rich in nuance and thorough in its coverage and its attention to detail, The Big Book is, as its name suggests, a big—even an enormous—contribution to our current literature on the subject. Highly recommended.” —Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why and God-Talk in America

“With his “Big Book” McColman has pulled off a tour de force: a work on Christian mysticism that is broadly accessible, but deep; scholarly but not pedantic; reverent, but judicious; thorough, but a good read; an excellent introduction to the subject for the general reader, but with plenty of meat for the specialist. Highly recommended for the neophyte, the informed, and the expert alike.” —The Rev. Robert D. Hughes, III. Ph.D., author of Beloved Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life

“In The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Carl McColman offers us a thorough and engaging exploration of Christian mysticism which he defines as a form of alchemy – that is, transformation through the Source of all Love. His wise and clear writing takes us on a wide journey through both classical and contemporary mystic guides. Ultimately he invites us to catch a glimpse of the heart of Mystery through concrete suggestions for mystical practice and be transformed ourselves.” —Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, author of Water, Wind, Earth, & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements

“If you are looking for both a primer on Christian mysticism as well as an in-depth treatment of this oft-misunderstood aspect of the spiritual life, here is your book. Readable, useful, well-researched, Carl McColman’s Big Book of Christian Mysticism helps both the novice and those already well along on the journey toward a deeper relationship with God to see that mysticism is ultimately not at all a mysterious quest, but a human— and possible—one.” —Paul Wilkes, author of Beyond the Walls: Monastic Wisdom for Everyday Life

“A brilliant contribution from a clear, concise and articulate author! Carl McColman’s Big Book deepens the conversation as he explores the paradoxes of the mystical/traditional approaches, outlines the bias against cultivating an interior life and illuminates the reader on practices to embrace in order to relate to a dynamic Living God. — Lauren Artress, author of Walking a Sacred Path

“McColman’s book is wise and wonderful, deceptively simple! Are you interested in having a relationship with something that’s ultimately unknowable? Me too. It’s not easy, but dig in, here!” —Jon M. Sweeney, author of Almost Catholic and The St. Francis Prayer Book

“In this delightfully accessible book, Carl McColman dispels the notion that Christian mysticism exists somewhere in the ether, and reveals its solid, earthy roots. If you want a rich, nourishing life of faith, and virtues that flourish like wildflowers, read Christian Mysticism, and let the good news in it transform you.” —Claudia Mair Burney, author of God Alone is Enough: A Spirited Pilgrimage with St. Teresa of Avila

“Mysticism is at the heart of faith, whatever religious or denominational flag we raise. Thoughtful, well-written doorways into these mysteries, such as this one, matter a great deal to all of us who seek communion with the Mystery Itself.” — Robert Benson, author of In Constant Prayer

“Carl McColman’s new book is truly a work of art as well as a spiritual guide for those who want to know more about Christian mysticism. Writing for a broad audience of readers, Carl wants everyone to become aware of that rich history and its potential meaning for today. He writes in a lively, engaging style, but his work comes out of deep wells of spiritual wisdom. Appealing to both head and heart, his book not only makes the history of Christian mysticism accessible, but also provides for readers guidance in prayer, contemplation, and transformation itself. For Carl, the great mystics are not just people specially gifted, but soul friends and spiritual mentors for anyone who seeks to live today with some degree of interiority, integrity, and joy. I highly recommend this book not only for general readers interested in mysticism and spirituality, but also for undergraduate or graduate students who need an introduc- tion to what Carl himself calls “this ancient wisdom tradition.” —Ed Sellner, author of Wisdom of the Celtic Saints and Finding the Monk Within: Great Monastic Values for Today

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

Again, here’s how to get your copy:

Patreon special: If you are (or become) a Patreon member, supporting my work at the $20/month or $204/year level or higher, with your membership current as of August 2023, then I will send you an autographed copy of The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism with my compliments (to receive this offer, join Patreon no later than July 31, 2023, and keep your membership active at least through the end of August). Click here to join Patreon.

Otherwise, you can pre-order the book from one of the following sources:

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