Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart: Meditations for the Restless Soul (Wisdom of Meister Eckhart)
Product ID: 48091929
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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. Review: Fantastic thoughtful book - The book is truly fantastic. Most entries make you want to pause and do not allow you to move on. My only problem is, they must’ve sent me a used copy, because 13 of the pages were dog geared. It shouldn’t happen when you buy a new one. Review: Prayers of arresting beauty. - I would have written this sooner, but one has to linger over these pages, each of which bears re-reading before going to the next. To read more than two or three at a time is profligate, because these are prayer/poems to savor, because the translators write of a mystery. They have revealed Eckhart's deus absconditus to be "hidden in plain sight," available, accessible, somehow an evanescent intimate. Here, paradox is palpable and not unearned assertion. Nor are these pretty paradoxes, but instead rude challenges to those in thrall to the romance of religion, the very challenges Jesus represented in word and deed. The translators' achievement exposes new age fads as the gnomic cliches they are, for here, rather, Sweeney and Burrows have shown us the way into a tender zone where e.e. cummings meets m. buber, where the heart beats and the breath quickens. The translators bespeak the costly grace which makes us ultimately able, in the phrase of Hannah Arendt, to love the world as it is. Here the beautiful is not an aesthetic but an ethical category. A very good and necessary job of spiritual work.
| Best Sellers Rank | #75,350 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #19 in German Poetry (Books) #62 in Mysticism (Books) #68 in Religious Poetry (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 264 Reviews |
S**S
Fantastic thoughtful book
The book is truly fantastic. Most entries make you want to pause and do not allow you to move on. My only problem is, they must’ve sent me a used copy, because 13 of the pages were dog geared. It shouldn’t happen when you buy a new one.
R**.
Prayers of arresting beauty.
I would have written this sooner, but one has to linger over these pages, each of which bears re-reading before going to the next. To read more than two or three at a time is profligate, because these are prayer/poems to savor, because the translators write of a mystery. They have revealed Eckhart's deus absconditus to be "hidden in plain sight," available, accessible, somehow an evanescent intimate. Here, paradox is palpable and not unearned assertion. Nor are these pretty paradoxes, but instead rude challenges to those in thrall to the romance of religion, the very challenges Jesus represented in word and deed. The translators' achievement exposes new age fads as the gnomic cliches they are, for here, rather, Sweeney and Burrows have shown us the way into a tender zone where e.e. cummings meets m. buber, where the heart beats and the breath quickens. The translators bespeak the costly grace which makes us ultimately able, in the phrase of Hannah Arendt, to love the world as it is. Here the beautiful is not an aesthetic but an ethical category. A very good and necessary job of spiritual work.
B**S
Not what I expected...
Sometimes you need to have the actual book in your hand before you know [exactly] what it is you purchased. Thankfully, this worked out in my favour. I am not a fan of glibly written spiritual reflections or meditations and have taken to reading poetry instead whenever I need "help". So I thought these were poems written by Meister Eckhart. Well, they are actually poetic renderings by Sweeney & Burrows of Meister Elkhart's writings. At first, when I realized this on getting my copy I felt nonplussed and didn't even try to read it; but I didn't want to return it without at least giving it a chance. It really is a well written and well conceived book. So glad I didn't reject it before giving it a chance. I am a Catholic and am given to a life of prayer. The "help" I mentioned above is simply a need to quiet my mind and help it slow down. This book is quite amazing in that way...and so I recommend it highly.
M**E
Timeless truths.
Love this book that can be opened to any page for enlightened thoughts. I have sent copies to many people who also treasure the words of this brilliant Mystic.
A**A
simple beautiful prose
very simple and well written, like the format and the soft cover, easy to carry around and read at odd times. i like what he has to say alot, but he domwetimes goes on and on and does not make a lot of sense to me.
W**T
I just love your new volume
I just love your new volume, Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart. The poetic meditations are actually indispensable. Although I am not finished reading through it yet, I do very much delight in The Rest, on page 44, and especially The Heart's Vision, on page 81. It is a satisfying collection of devotions and one that is spiritually significant. One's soul feels cleansed in reading the work. It is an aspirant's book for everyday people and a reminder and source of inspiration for travelers long treading the way of the sacred. Just below the surface of the lines of these ostensibly simple poems are profound truths in living mindfully which also provide insight into the epiphanies of the spirit. I would call this fine book an unexpected gift of resonant devotional literature whose perennial philosophy is accessible in contemporary society for active people. --Wally Swist, author of Huang Po and the Dimensions of Love (Southern Illinois University Press), Candling the Eggs (Shanti Arts), and Singing for Nothing: Selected Nonfiction as Literary Memoir (The Operating System)
W**N
good spiritual poems
I read a couple of these eloquent poems at a time, then read some poems, then a reflection by Janaka Stagnaro in Shasta Keys, then a reflection by Fr Richard Rohr in Yes .. And. I am not sure the poems in Book of the Heart are accurate translations of Meister Eckhart's teaching, but they are illuminating poems to read and I am very glad I bought the book.
P**O
Inspiration from Eckhart
Meister Echart wrote simply and brilliantly on the spiritual experience
J**E
Poesía y pensamiento fundidis
Implícito en el tìtulo
M**H
Excellent Service, Excellent Product
My book was delivered promptly and in excellent condition.
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