The Way of the Mystics: Ancient Wisdom for Experiencing God Today - Softcover

Talbot, John Michael; Rabey, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0787984566 ISBN 13: 9780787984564

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2006

Synopsis

In The Way of the Mystics we are invited to take a journey to the heart of our faith by examining the stories of thirteen of Christian history's most revered mystics. These spiritual pioneers devoted their lives to exploring a deeper communion with God and through their examples show us how we can apply spiritual wisdom to our own lives. The mystics featured in this book are from different centuries, countries, and Christian traditions but all have been divinely blessed to transcend the limitations of worldly concerns and fully enter the spiritual realm¾a place that so often seems closed off to us. The Way of the Mystics offers insights into the lives of such familiar figures as St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and others. The authors explore these spiritual giants' experiences, the movements they founded or influenced, and the controversies they generated, offering nuggets of truth distilled from their voluminous and often enigmatic writings. In addition, the book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

The Way of the Mystics

Who is a mystic? Simply put, a mystic is someone who believes there are realities to life that are beyond what can be perceived by our rational minds or described in words, and not only believes this in the abstract, but practices it concretely. If you are a Christian-- Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic-- who is living a vital, spirit-filled relationship with God you can be considered a mystic and can learn spiritual practices from those who have gone before.

The Way of the Mystics invites us to take a journey to the heart of our faith by examining the stories of thirteen of Christian history's most revered mystics. These spiritual pioneers devoted their lives to exploring a deeper communion with God and through their examples show us how we can apply spiritual wisdom to our own lives.

The mystics featured in this book are from different centuries, countries, and Christian traditions but all have been divinely blessed to transcend the limitations of worldly concerns and fully enter the spiritual realm-- a place that so often seems closed off to us. The Way of the Mystics offers insights into the lives of such familiar figures as St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and others. The authors explore these spiritual giants' experiences, the movements they founded or influenced, and the controversies they generated, offering nuggets of truth distilled from their voluminous and often enigmatic writings. In addition, the book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.

From the Back Cover:

Tap Into the Wisdom of the Mystics

"For too long the moral has been a substitute for the mystical. This fine study places the mystics back at the center of Christianity. These spiritual elders tell us that all true religion must be grounded in experiential knowledge of God, 'a lump in the throat,' and not just ideas about God."
—Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"In this day and age when our feet and our hearts seem to go in so many different directions—how good it is to find in this book an offering of earthy men and women whose feet and hearts were drawn like a magnet to the Divine. The Way of the Mystics will be a very good companion for anyone who is searching for intimacy with God. I joyfully recommend it."
—Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B., monastic, author, spiritual guide

"John Michael Talbot is a faithful worshiper of our Savior, whose music and meditations not only refresh many, but whose witness reminds us of the breadth of the scope of vital, living witness throughout the whole Body of Christ, and how much we who love Jesus Christ have to give to each other of our mutual growth and benefit."
—Jack W. Hayford, chancellor, The King's College and Seminary, Los Angeles, California

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0787984566
• ISBN 13: 9780787984564
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240