CHRISTIAN MYSTICS celebrates the many types of mystics, visionaries, wisdom keepers, and non-dualists whose spiritual insight and perceptive teachings have illuminated the Christian tradition for the past two thousand years. Looking at 108 mystics from Biblical times to the present day, this user-friendly guide shows how the spiritual masters of the western tradition provide a variety of paths into the transforming heart of God. But the mystics are not a uniform bunch, which is why this book is such an essential guide to their lives, wisdom, and essential teachings. Carl McColman, author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, organises the mystics into nine categories: visionaries, confessors, lovers, poets, saints, heretics, wisdom keepers, soul-friends and unitives. By profiling twelve examples of great mystics and spiritual teachers in each category, the book can help you to learn more about the mystics and identify those whose writings will be most valuable to you as you pursue your own adventure of falling ever more deeply in love with God.
All of the most famous Christian mystics are profiled here: figures like Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton and anonymous masters like the authors of classics like The Cloud of Unknowing or The Way of a Pilgrim. But the book also will introduce you to many lesser known (but truly wonderful) mystical geniuses, such as Beatrice of Nazareth, Gregory of Narek and Coventry Patmore. Nor does the book shy away from living (or recently living) mystics: visionaries such as Howard Thurman, Sara Grant, Kenneth Leech and Bruno Barnhart are all included. This informative volume will appeal to those who buy religious reference books and anyone interested in Christian mysticism or western spirituality. But it's more than just a history book or an encyclopedia: Christian Mystics: 108 Seers, Saints and Sages is a curated celebration of western spiritual wisdom, making it accessible for all seekers today. This clear and informative book provides readers with a crash course on how the seers, saints and sages of the Christian tradition have pursued and attained enlightenment.
This is a user-friendly and potentially life-changing introduction to the wisdom teachings of over 108 of the greatest mystics in the Western tradition. Its premise is that we all need teachers and companions to assist us in developing rich interior lives. It celebrates the universal power and wisdom of the teachings of the mystics, highlighting the ways in which their words can help anyone find greater love, purpose and a deeper sense of God's presence.
Author Biography
Carl McColman lives near Atlanta where he is the member of the Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit - a contemplative community under the spiritual guidance of Trappist monks. Carl frequently leads workshops and retreats on contemplative spirituality at churches, seminaries, monasteries and retreat centres.
