The Knowledge of God through the Spiritual Experience of the Mystics

The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism

Edited and with an Introduction by Bernard McGinn

Christian Mysticism defined
Author John A. Hardon, S.J., in his book, Pocket Catholic Dictionary, defines Christian mysticism as:

"The supernatural state of soul in which God is known in a way that no human effort or exertion could ever succeed in producing. There is an immediate, personal experience of God that is truly extraordinary, not only in intensity and degree, but in kind. It is always the result of a special, totally unmerited grace of God. Christian mysticism differs essentially from the non-Christian mysticism of the Oriental world. It always recognizes that the reality to which it penetrates simply transcends the soul and the cosmos; there is no confusion between I and Thou, but always a profound humility before the infinite Majesty of God. And in Christian mysticism all union between the soul and God is a moral union of love, in doing His will even at great sacrifice to self; there is no hint of losing one's being in God or absorption of one's personality into the divine.

Excellent reference for Christian mysticism
A good book to learn more in detail about Christian mysticism is, "The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism", by editor Bernard McGinn. This book is an accessible anthology of the Western Christian mystical tradition. It is very comprehensive, apt in its selection of texts, and is intelligently organized in one handy and easy to carry volume.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria, whose feast is celebrated on May 2, is featured in Part One of the book, while St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast is celebrated in April 29, is featured in Part Three of the book.

Book is divided into three main parts
In nearly one hundred selections spanning seventeen centuries, the book explores how human life is transformed through the search for direct contact with God. Uniquely organized by subject, this book includes accessible headnotes for each section, biographical sketches of the mystics, and a selected bibliography.

• Part one examines the preparation for encountering God through biblical interpretation and prayer;
• part two focuses on the mystics' actual encounters with God;
• and part three addresses the implications of the mystical life - showing how mystics have been received over time, and how they practice their faith through private contemplation and public ministry or apostolate.

Outline of the book


• Part One: Foundations of Mystical Practice
Mystics featured in Part One: Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Meister Eckhart, Madame Guyon, Athanasius of Alexandria, Evagrius Ponticus, James of Vitry, Catherine of Genoa, John of the Cross, Ephrem the Syrian, John Cassian, Symeon the New Theologian, Hadewijch of Antwerp, John Tauler, Teresa of Avila, Guigo I, Aelred of Rievaulx, Miguel de Molinos, Richard of St. Victor, Bonaventure, Marguerite Porete, Walter Hilton
• Section 1: Biblical Interpretation
• Section 2: Asceticism and Purgation
• Section 3: Prayer, Liturgy, and Sacraments
• Section 4: Inner and Outer Practices
• Section 5: Mystical Itineraries
• Part Two: Aspects of Mystical Consciousness
Mystics featured in Part Two: Augustine, William of Saint-Thierry, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Gregory Palamas, John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Henry Suso, Julian of Norwich, Simone Weil, Nicholas of Cusa, Johann Arndt, Dionysius, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Gregory the Great, Symeon the New Theologian, Hildegard of Bingen, Hugh of St. Victor, Richard Rolle, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, George Fox, Angela of Foligno, John Tauler, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, Maximus the Confessor, Meister Eckhart, Macarius, John Ruusbroec, Francis de Sales, Marie of the Incarnation
• Section 6: Living the Trinity
• Section 7: Encountering Christ
• Section 8: Love and Knowledge
• Section 9: Positive and Negative Ways to God
• Section 10: Vision, Contemplation, and Rapture
• Section 11: Distress and Dereliction
• Section 12: Deification and Birthing
• Section 13: Union with God
• Part Three: Implications of the Mystical Life
Mystics featured in Part Three: Francois Fenelon, Gregory the Great, Bernard of Clairvaux, Meister Eckhart, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Merton
• Section 14: Mysticism and Heresy
• Section 15: Contemplation and Action