An Introduction to Christian Mysticism: Initiation Into the Monastic Tradition 3In these conferences dating to 1961, Thomas Merton provides for his audience of young monks an overview of major themes and figures in the Christian mystical tradition as an integral part of their religious inheritance and a crucial part of their spiritual formation. From Fathers of the Church such as St Athanasius and St Gregory of Nyssa, through such important medieval theologians as St Bonaventure, Hadewijch and Meister Eckhart, to the great Spanish Carmelites St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, Merton traces such key topics as the integration of theology and spirituality; the importance of "natural contemplation"--recognizing the divine presence in creation; the centrality of apophatic or "dark" contemplation; and the role of spiritual direction in forming mature and balanced contemplatives. |
Contents
Preface | vii |
An Introduction to Christian Mysticism | 1 |
Textual Notes | 349 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
added in left added on line apatheia apophatic ascetic asceticism Augustine Béguines Bernard caret Carmelite Cassian century chapter Christ Christian Mysticism Church Cistercian Clement Clement of Alexandria cols Complete contemplation Cross Dark Night Dionysian director divine doctrine Eckhart Evagrius experience faith Fathers followed by cancelled followed by x'd gnosis gnostic grace Gregory of Nyssa Ground of Love Hadewijch Hausherr Hence Histoire de Spiritualité Holy Spirit important interlined above cancelled Leçons left margin Lifton light logoi Maximus meditation monastic monks mystical theology Mystique night of sense Note opposite Origen passive penitent perfect Porion Poulain prayer of quiet preceded by cancelled preceded by x'd pure purification quoted reads Rhenish mystics sacraments Saint John Saint Teresa says Scripture soul spiritual direction spiritual senses Tauler teaching Theologia Germanica theologians theoria physike things Thomas Merton tion tradition trans union vision Western Mysticism William of St wisdom word York