Meditations from Mechthild of Magdeburg


Book Description

In the passionate poetry of a bride to her bridegroom, this thirteenth-century German mystic recorded thirty years of her most intimate conversations with God. The selections in this edition offer a powerful glimpse into Mechthild's vision of God and her constant longing to be in his heart. This eloquent female ascetic recounts her mystical union with God in an unusual combination of literary genres ranging from rich allegory to lyrical poetry and prose. At age twenty, Mechthild left her home to begin a life of intense prayer as a beguine under the direction of the Dominicans. Continually speaking out against abuses in the Church, Mechthild incurred a lifelong conflict with the religious authorities of her time, making the survival of her writings all the more remarkable.




Margery Kempe's Meditations


Book Description

The author argues that 'The Book of Margery Kempe' unfolds a creative experience of memory as spiritual progress, and explores Margery's meditational experience in the context of visual and verbal iconography.




Affective Meditation and the Invention of Medieval Compassion


Book Description

Affective meditation on the Passion was one of the most popular literary genres of the high and later Middle Ages. Proliferating in a rich variety of forms, these lyrical, impassioned, script-like texts in Latin and the vernacular had a deceptively simple goal: to teach their readers how to feel. They were thus instrumental in shaping and sustaining the wide-scale shift in medieval Christian sensibility from fear of God to compassion for the suffering Christ. Affective Meditation and the Invention of Medieval Compassion advances a new narrative for this broad cultural change and the meditative writings that both generated and reflected it. Sarah McNamer locates women as agents in the creation of the earliest and most influential texts in the genre, from John of Fécamp's Libellus to the Meditationes Vitae Christi, thus challenging current paradigms that cast the compassionate affective mode as Anselmian or Franciscan in origin. The early development of the genre in women's practices had a powerful and lasting legacy. With special attention to Middle English texts, including Nicholas Love's Mirror and a wide range of Passion lyrics and laments, Affective Meditation and the Invention of Medieval Compassion illuminates how these scripts for the performance of prayer served to construct compassion itself as an intimate and feminine emotion. To feel compassion for Christ, in the private drama of the heart that these texts stage, was to feel like a woman. This was an assumption about emotion that proved historically consequential, McNamer demonstrates, as she traces some of its legal, ethical, and social functions in late medieval England.




Medieval, Renaissance and Enlightenment Women Philosophers


Book Description

aspirations, the rise of western monasticism was the most note worthy event of the early centuries. The importance of monasteries cannot be overstressed as sources of spirituality, learning and auto nomy in the intensely masculinized, militarized feudal period. Drawing their members from the highest levels of society, women's monasteries provided an outlet for the energy and ambition of strong-willed women, as well as positions of considerable authority. Even from periods relatively inhospitable to learning of all kinds, the memory has been preserved of a good number of women of education. Their often considerable achievements and influence, however, generally lie outside even an expanded definition of philo sophy. Among the most notable foremothers of this early period were several whose efforts signal the possibility of later philosophical work. Radegund, in the sixth century, established one of the first Frankish convents, thereby laying the foundations for women's spiritual and intellectual development. From these beginnings, women's monasteries increased rapidly in both number and in fluence both on the continent and in Anglo-Saxon England. Hilda (d. 680) is well known as the powerful abbsess of the double monastery of Whitby. She was eager for knowledge, and five Eng lish bishops were educated under her tutelage. She is also accounted the patron of Caedmon, the first Anglo-Saxon poet of religious verse. The Anglo-Saxon nun Lioba was versed in the liberal arts as well as Scripture and canon law.




Historical Dictionary of German Literature to 1945


Book Description

The history of this period in German literature is told through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, a comprehensive bibliography, and over 200 cross-referenced dictionary entries on poetry, novels, historical narrative, philosophical musings, drama, and the exceptional writers who emerged and shaped German literature over the centuries.




Mechthild of Hackeborn


Book Description

Introduces an English translation of the Book of Special Grace, a Latin mystical work composed by Mechthild of Hackeborn and her sisters at the convent of Helfta in the 1290s.




The Rinzai Zen Way


Book Description

The first accessible beginner's guide to Rinzai Zen practice. The recognition of the true nature of oneself and the universe is the aim of Rinzai Zen—but that experience, known as kensho, is really just the beginning of a life of refining that discovery and putting it into practice in the world. Rinzai, with its famed discipline and its emphasis on koan practice, is one of two main forms of Zen practiced in the West, but it is less familiar than the more prominent Soto school. Meido Moore here remedies that situation by providing this compact and complete introduction to Zen philosophy and practice from the Rinzai perspective. It’s an excellent entrée to a venerable tradition that goes back through the renowned Hakuin Ekaku in eighteenth-century Japan to its origins in Tang dynasty China—and that offers a path to living with insight and compassion for people today.




A History of Women Philosophers


Book Description

aspirations, the rise of western monasticism was the most note worthy event of the early centuries. The importance of monasteries cannot be overstressed as sources of spirituality, learning and auto nomy in the intensely masculinized, militarized feudal period. Drawing their members from the highest levels of society, women's monasteries provided an outlet for the energy and ambition of strong-willed women, as well as positions of considerable authority. Even from periods relatively inhospitable to learning of all kinds, the memory has been preserved of a good number of women of education. Their often considerable achievements and influence, however, generally lie outside even an expanded definition of philo sophy. Among the most notable foremothers of this early period were several whose efforts signal the possibility of later philosophical work. Radegund, in the sixth century, established one of the first Frankish convents, thereby laying the foundations for women's spiritual and intellectual development. From these beginnings, women's monasteries increased rapidly in both number and in fluence both on the continent and in Anglo-Saxon England. Hilda (d. 680) is well known as the powerful abbsess of the double monastery of Whitby. She was eager for knowledge, and five Eng lish bishops were educated under her tutelage. She is also accounted the patron of Caedmon, the first Anglo-Saxon poet of religious verse. The Anglo-Saxon nun Lioba was versed in the liberal arts as well as Scripture and canon law.




The Christian Art of Forgiveness


Book Description

Master the art of forgiveness—practical strategies for opening your heart and living faithfully Cultivate a forgiving mindset and learn how to be truly compassionate to others. This thoughtful guide offers you easy-to-use tools that will help you let go of negativity and grow into the best version of yourself. By focusing on various types of relationships, you will be able to better understand why and when you should forgive, as well as how you can persevere through what can be a challenging journey. Filled with inspiring Scripture, stories, and exercises, you'll discover everything you need to become more forgiving in your everyday life. The Christian Art of Forgiveness includes: Actionable prompts—Learn fundamental forgiveness skills through simple exercises like meditating on how you've hurt others or reflecting on your personal values. Supportive scripture and stories—Better understand what it means to forgive through the Lord's wisdom, as well as illustrative sample stories that show forgiveness in action. Focused guidance—Explore how the unique challenges of forgiveness can change depending on who you're working to forgive—including family, friends, colleagues, community, and even yourself. Learn how to love like Jesus with The Christian Art of Forgiveness.




The Mystic in You


Book Description

What is a mystic? Bruce Epperly defines mystics as people who see holiness in everyday life. You can be a mystic without denying the joys of your physical body, fleeing society, abandoning your family, or disengaging from politics. Practical and accessible, The Mystic in You helps you become aware of the many ways you can experience God's presence in your daily life. Yes, you can be a mystic. The many faces of mysticism described in this book invite you to become the mystic that suits your personality, faith tradition, and life experience. Epperly introduces 12 individuals or groups of mystics through the ages, including some from Jewish and Muslim traditions: Saint Francis of Assisi Brother Lawrence The desert mothers and fathers The Baal Shem Tov Benedict of Nursia Howard Thurman The Celtic mystics Etty Hillesum Hildegard of Bingen Rumi Mechthild of Magdeburg Julian of Norwich Each mystic had particular spiritual experiences that shaped his or her view of God and the world. In each chapter, Epperly guides you through four spiritual practices that can help deepen your relationship with God and open you to God's movement in your life.




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