Teachings of the Christian Mystics

Book excerpt: An anthology of excerpts and scriptures from a diverse selection of Christian mystics such as Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Bede Griffiths, and many others. The Christian mystics are a treasure of Western civilization, yet they remain little known. Andrew Harvey’s anthology confronts us with the mystics in their own words to show us how well they serve, even now, as guides for the spiritual life—and to challenge preconceived ideas about the path of Christianity. The selections here represent all eras of the Christian tradition as well as an amazing range of people who have embodied it. This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.