The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality Review
I loved this book. I enjoyed the author's writing style and although it is jam packed with information it was not boring at ALL. I found it both practical and inspiring. Maybe that's because I was spiritually hungry for this topic. I have been a Christian for decades, and have become interested in Christian mysticism as a way to make myself available to God. American Christianity talks a big game about having relationship with God, but if I am honest about my own life I desire much more than just reading my Bible and me talking to God through prayer. I rarely feel Him communicating with me. Sure, I feel His presence, and it's not that I doubt my faith, but mysticism seems like a practical way to make space in my inner being for God to take up residence and actually change me. This book helped me understand the difference between Eastern meditation and spirituality and the rich tradition that Christianity has. I don't need to find an Indian guru to journey into the "unknowing". This book has a great list of books for further reading, too. So it answered all my basic questions, gave me direction to actually experience silence, solitude, meditation, contemplation, lectio divina for myself and paradoxically filled me with questions and ultimately a desire to learn more. Paradoxes abound in this book, and I realized, in life. Mysticism changes nothing, and changes everything. After years of dreading the Christian "quiet time" I now look forward to my 30 minutes of solitude with the God of the universe. What a relief.
The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality Feature
- ISBN13: 9781571746245
- Condition: New
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The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality Overview
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
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