Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart Meditations for the Restless Soul

Mark S. Burrows, Jon M. Sweeney — 2017

Meister Eckhart (1260–1328) was a priest, a mystic, and nearly a heretic (he died before the Church court’s verdict). In the 20th century, the Roman Catholic Church rehabilitated him and the late Pope John Paul II spoke of his work with fondness. However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, and Rudolf Steiner have all credited Eckhart as being an important influence on their thought. In addition, his work has influenced the development of 20th century American Buddhism and the Theosophical tradition. Eckhart wrote at a time—much like our own—when society appeared to be coming apart at the seams. In the midst of all that chaos and uncertainty, he captured the many forms and stages of the love of God, the mystic path, and the journey of transformation—in language so startling that he, too, was often accused of heresy. Now, seven centuries later, this fresh, stunning rendering of his work translates the essence of one of Christianity’s greatest poetic and spiritual voices. Here is a book that conveys the heart of Eckhart’s teaching on what it means to love God and embark on an authentic spiritual journey—a journey that is characterized by mystery, paradox, and an embrace of the unknown.

Reviews

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Dec 12, 2021

Looking forward to diving into more of Meister Eckhart's works. I downloaded the audiobook version of this and would likely purchase the hard copy in the future to be revisited ✨

Highlights

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Your Soul's Delight There is a journey you must take. It is a journey without a destination. There is no map, your soul will lead you and you can take nothing with you.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Wonder Now listen: death is not real unless you neglect to leave life behind.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Becoming Me We are born only once in this world, twice in you. And in this, we are like you because you are born not once, but again and again, and all that was and is and will be. And when you were born in me I become who you are, and you become me.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

True Prayer What is the prayer of a heart loosed from all the things that crowd our lives and worry our minds from day to day. It is coming to that place within us where not knowing is the mark of faith, not wanting the work of hope, and not demanding the gift of love.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Giver and Gift All that I have and all I ever will, is on temporary loan, given for a season like the leaves of spring that, soon enough, will rustle in the late autumn winds. For you give with a single intent: that I might know that you are giver and gift. The one beyond any how and every why. One I didn't earn and can never lose and one that will never lose me.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

This Inner Spark There is something in me, so bright and shining in itself, that the darkness I fall into or make, whether in despair or delight, cannot thwart the flow of this inner light.

Laura Mei@thelibrariansnook

Room to Grow My life is like a page on which so much is already written. Hurts and joys, and the tumble of fears and uncertainties. What you want of me God, is that I clean the slate; emptying it of all this, to make room for the freedom of nothingness. Where alone, you, my God, have room to grow.