The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality

I am a Buddhist mystic turned a Christian mystic. According to McColman, "A person could conceivably be the most advanced mystic in the world, enjoying...spiritual bliss. But in Christian terms, this 'spiritual master' could be nothing more than the simplest of novices." Chapter 9: The Mystical Body So, from my "simplest of novices" point of view, I want to articulate the following points. McColman tends to emphasize mysticism as the higher reality: "Mysticism concerns a higher reality." "Mysticism...represents a fundamental shift in awareness to a higher/holier state." Both quotes are from Chapter 2: Defining Mysticism In my opinion, mysticism is about the highest reality, not the higher reality. Mystical experience should be treated as the state of being in commune with the most divine or God and not as merely the dance of love between God and man. As McColman states: "The Trinity is an eternal, joyful, radiant manifestation of love, loving, and being loved. Three dancers join together in one eternal dance." Chapter 8: Christianity's Best-Kept Secret Note: Man dances with the Trinity when he loves and worships it. "Simply put, mysticism - at least, Christian mysticism - is all about love." Chapter 6: Why Mysticism Matters "Christians call that Source of Love 'God'...." Chapter 6: Christian Mysticism Matters That leads me to the point of McColman that he does not possess the "ultimacy of experience" , though, I believe he is a mystic (He knows God as well as any other mystic.) Again, in his line of thinking, he always misses the point of God as the highest Absolute for the aspirant to use his utmost effort to reach and at its absolute finality, it is up to God's grace. McColman does mention that God's grace is the most essential requirement of Christian mysticism, nevertheless. Another one, "God is so ultimately unknowable." Chapter 7: The Mystical Paradoxes I think God is knowable: we have so variously knowledges about God. But God is knowable to an individual only as an individual limitation could allow. So yes, God allows each man a certain amount of knowledge of Him. That should be a fitter explanation than that God is ultimately unknowable. But anyhow, I think it is the best book I have ever read that comes from this 19th to 21st centuries. McColman is a Catholic or specifically a lay associate of a Trappist monastery. His English and he himself is VERY INSIGHTFUL. And this book is jam-packed with all the information a spiritual treveller would need such as Books (ancient and new), Mystics (ancient and new), and many other resources. I think this is his best quote: ["Use your head" and "follow your heart" are both great word of advice - especially when they are offered in tandem.] Chapter 7: The Mystical Paradoxes

I find Carl McColman's steady, gentle pace of his presentation to be just right. I think one of the main goals of presenting and discussing the inherent mysticism in not only the roots of the Christian faith but also in the daily spiritual life of a Christian, is that it should entice and encourage exploration rather than alienate. Because many people nowadays are 'too busy' to do their own research or even to regularly read the Bible, they have instead developed a hair trigger response of automatic offense if a different word is used, or because the message doesn't come from an authority they have entrusted to keep their faith 'safe' for them. It is so much easier to entrust the maintenance of your faith to an 'authority' rather than explore the very dangerous territory of what God may want to do in the individual's life. After all, you may be sent to Nineveh. Despite that the modern view of Christianity is one only of allegiance and compliance (kind of like thinking of citizenship as voting, paying bills, and doing taxes), true Christianity is about a relationship with God. Of course this relationship can never be captured, because it is one of love. A parent sets rules for his or her child, but to say that those rules are the entirety of parenthood or family life would be ludicrous. So this book, or any book, cannot adequately encompass all of God or all of our relationship with God. But it tries, and within those limits I think it has at least a partial success. I think one of the worst, maybe even the absolute worst aspect of the fall of man was that it brought separation between all of us, and separation of us from God. And yet there is still a connection. Maybe it's buried deep and hard to find, but it is there. In a football stadium are different teams and fans taking different sides, but they are all there out of love for the spirit of the football game. We all are of the same human spirit breathed into us by God. We are our brother's keeper, and everyone is our neighbor that we are commanded to love as ourselves. One of the aspects of mysticism is that, because it is not a set of rules but a relationship with our Source, God, we begin to understand that everyone's relationship is personal and individual. True, mysticism is not Christianity. But Christianity is mystical through and through, and this book explores that innate and intimate component. I am also impressed with the author's listing of Christian mystic sources at the end of the book. Many directions are pointed at for further study, though as the author states, the best source is the Bible itself.

This book is a good choice for the person who needs to be encouraged to try the classical Christian approach to contemplative prayer and mysticism. If you have an interest, but have no idea where to start, this book may get you over the hump. If, however, you have already done some exploration of the works of Underhill, Pennington, Merton, St. John of the Cross,Teresa of Avila, and the like, this book will likely disappoint you. It would also be ideal as a small group or Sunday School discussion-starter. The author is a committed Roman Catholic, and his approach is clearly colored by his background. That does not offend anyone, like me, who is from the Western Christian tradition, but I wonder how well received it would be by an Orthodox Christian, not to mention someone from the Eastern traditions like Buddhism or Hinduism. We all are shaped by our own culture and our own experience, but it helps when we are well versed in other religions and their perspective if we attempt to describe them or comment upon them. McColman is unconvincing in his treatment of those other mystics. The book does have a useful bibliography and reading list in the appendix, which is strongest in its treatment of Roman Christian authors and mystics. My own perspective is that this is not a book which you will keep on your shelf very long, no matter how useful it becomes to you. If it succeeds for you, you will quickly move on to others which you will want to keep around; if it disappoints you, you will want to give it away. For that reason, I suggest that you purchase the Kindle edition, as I did. The reading list will always be there in the Cloud for reference, and my shelf space can be saved for books I need to pick up and show to other folks.

Easy to read and comprehend. A fantastic resource.

This, as the slightly tongue in cheek title suggests, is a book for anyone wanting an overview of this often misunderstood area of the Christian experience. It is not an academic book and does not pretend to be, however the reading list is comprehensive with an eclectic range of some leading academic contributors mixed in with popular authors. The same can be said for the list of names to look out for in the 'Communion of Mystics' section. 'Experts' may be surprised at some that do qualify for inclusion or perhaps more so, some that do not. This is to be expected in a subject area that is often very personal. This introduction is much enlivened by being written from the personal perspective of an author who clearly wishes to bring what he describes as 'Christianity's best kept secret' to a wider audience. It combines a fairly wide view of the main issues of the subject area with an introduction to some of the practices of the contemplative tradition. As a personal verdict I think this book does its intended job well.

When I ordered this book, I was not too sure of what to expect. The title "The Big Book ... " made me think of volumes like " the big book of party games", or the big book of crosswords." But what I received, was an absolute gem of a book, that clearly introduces the reader to the concept of Christian Mysticism, explores some of the seeming "tensions" along the path, and then explores some forms of prayer that has helped others who tread this path. The first reading left me enriched, detimined to continue seeking to grow in my prayer relationship with God, and above all the assurence that our path is that of Love. I am beginning to read it again. For me this book is as important as many of those offered by Carmelite writer Ruth Burrows. Ideal for the beginner or more experienced person, this book never talks down to you, we are all equal.

Good focus on Christian mysticism. Shows the self sufficiency of Christian mysticism without having to digress to other forms that are usually not as effective. Compare the supernatural events of the Christian mystics with the the others.

Can't really get into it.