Review: The theory and practice of Christian Mysticism
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 12, 2012
Judeo-Christian tradition of mysticism is sometimes misunderstood, to misquote, as a peculiarity that is attributed to people with mental aberrations or those who live an ascetic life. It is also a gray-area theological heresy within the larger established religious denominations, despite the fact that Cristian mysticism, in the form that we know it, is closely connected to the theology of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.Charles Morris Addison's lectures, on which this book is based, were famous in his time due to the fact that they were concerned with more practical aspects of mysticism as opposed to the theoretical nature of theosophy and theology of the era. They were given on the break of the last century, when spirituality and various practices of mysticism were in their revival stage. Unlike some of the Eastern traditions, Christian mysticism was not considered to be something a common man could practice, with the church-dictated and directed spirituality and dogma being the middle man between the man and the God. Mediating between the extremes of purely academical and overly simplified, Mr. Addison's idea was, putting it very succinctly, to give people the direction to discover their own way of talking directly to Christ or, how he described it - "creating more mystics". Now you can see why major churches consider mysticism a heresy.Christ's disciples are considered to be the first Christian mystics. Many of the saints had a direct communion with Christs. Modern priests of various denominations strive for it. Why a common man or woman cannot achieve the same? All it takes is the belief in the God's love, understanding that the physical phenomena is not separated from the Spirit, and contemplation. Those interested in Christian mysticism today will find through this book that many well known historical figures were mystics, and that the mysticism is closely connected to the rise of modern philosophical thought. What was possible a century or two ago is still possible now, surely?Here's one of the quotes from this book that describes it best, in my opinion: "What is God?" -- is here answered: "He is that which he who is devoted to Him and inspired by Him does."