Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was a Trappist monk, bestselling author, and mystic whose life bridged cloistered silence and global controversy. From a restless, scandal-marked youth to a dramatic conversion and controversial activism. Merton sought hiddenness yet became one of the most influential Christian voices of the twentieth century.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

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Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) was an Augustinian Canoness born in Flamschen bei Coesfeld, Westphalia, in northwest Germany in 1774. One of nine children, her family was very poor but faith-filled. She is best known for her visions of Christ and the stunning details recorded of those visions that served as one of the primary sources for the portrayal of the Passion of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's epic film, The Passion of Christ.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

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After many requests, Dr. Carlos Eire shares a reading list with our listeners.

Great classic introductions:

Evelyn Underhill,  Mysticism: A foundational, comprehensive survey of the mystical path.

The Cambridge Companion to Christian Mysticism, edited by Amy Hollywood & Patricia Beckman): An excellent collection of essays

Understanding Mysticism, ed. Richard Woods: Excellent essays of all the foundational scholarly interpreters of mysticism. Including the following:

David Knowles, “What Is Mysticism?”

Louis Bouyer, “Mysticism: An Essay on the History of the Word”

Margaret Smith, “The Nature and Meaning of Mysticism"

Evelyn Underhill, “The Essentials of Mysticism”

Edward Howells: "Mysticism and the Mystical: The Current Debate"

R. C. Zaehner, Mysticism Sacred and Profane: an Inquiry Into Some Varieties of Praeternatural Experience: A classic

More recent introductions

Stephen Clarke, From Athens to Jerusalem: The Love of Wisdom and the Love of God

Olivier Clément, The Roots of Christian Mysticism 

John Macquarrie, Two Worlds Are Ours: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism

Carl McColman, The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism: An Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality

Great historical - analytical surveys:

Louis Bouyer, et. al., A History of Christian Spirituality, 3 volumes: an older classic survey

Vol. 1 The Spirituality of the New Testament and the Fathers

Vol. 2 The Spirituality of the Middle Ages

Vol. 3 Orthodox Spirituality and Protestant and Anglican Spirituality

Bernard McGinn, The Presence of God: A History of Western Christian Mysticism:

A monumental multi-volume series that explores the development of mysticism across different historical periods and theological contexts. 

Vol. 1 The Foundations of Mysticism: Origins to the Fifth Century

Vol. 2 The Growth of Mysticism: Gregory the Great Through the 12 Century

Vol. 3 The Flowering of Mysticism: Men and Women in the New Mysticism: 1200-1350

Vol. 4 The Harvest of Mysticism in Medieval Germany: 1300-1500

Vol. 5 The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism: 1350–1550

Vol. 6.1 Mysticism in the Reformation: 1500-1650

Vol. 6.2 Mysticism in the Golden Age of Spain: 1500-1650

Vol. 6.3 The Persistence of Mysticism in Catholic Europe 1500-1675

Vol. 7 The Crisis of Mysticism: Quietism in Seventeenth-Century Spain, Italy, and France

Bernard McGinn, Modern Mystics: An Introduction (not part of the Presence of God series, but a an essential complement to all of its volumes)

Short surveys 

Harvey Egan, Introduction to Christian Mysticism

Steven Fanning, Mystics of the Christian Tradition

William Harmless, Mystics

Richard Rohr, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See

Focus on the corporeal dimension of mysticism:

Montague Summers, The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism

Herbert Thurston, The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism

Focus on Practice:

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection

Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart

Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Practice of Contemplation

                      An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation

                     A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness, and Contemplation

Thomas Merton,  New Seeds of Contemplation

                         Contemplative Prayer

Anthologies of Christian mystical texts:

The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, edited by Bernard McGinn

Christian Spirituality: The Classics, edited by Arthur Holder

Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism, edited by Louis Dupré

Suggestions for approaching the subject gradually

First step: Read a brief modern guide like that of Harmless or Fanning to get context before diving into the mystical texts. 

Second step: Dive into short excerpts from mystical texts in an anthology such as those listed above 

Third step: Pair theoretical texts (like Underhill) with devotional texts (like Brother Lawrence or Merton) and entire mystical texts (like the Cloud of Unknowing or The Interior Castle). 

Fourth step: Dive into the great surveys (like McGinn), and explore mystical texts from different eras and traditions.

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Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian who, in his midlife, became a Christian mystic and visionary after a profound spiritual awakening. Unlike most mystics, however, Swedenborg did not follow the usual steps to mysticism and many of his visions are like nothing we have heard about before, making him a most unusual mystic.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

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What is the connection between relics and mysticism? In this episode, we look at how relics have played an important role throughout church history, including the relics of well-known mystics. Mysticism joins the heavenly realm with the earthly realm, and we find that relics can do the same.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

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Father Thomas Keating (1923 – 2018) was an American Trappist monk who took the form of prayer used by Christian mystics over the past centuries and presented in a modern and accessible manner, so everyone can partake of it. Although considered controversial by some, Centering Prayer bears a very close resemblance to how Christian mystics used prayer to connect with God and the divine.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

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St. Gertrude of Helfta (1256–1302) was a 13th century German nun who enjoyed constant contact with the divine through her mystical experiences. Known also as Gertrude the Great, her writings were very influential and inspired St. Teresa of Avila and many other mystics throughout the centuries.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

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Mystics can experience mystical visions that give them insight into the spiritual realm and that can bring messages from God. Whether they are visions of Christ Himself, the Virgin Mary, Angels, or even other saints, this mystical phenomenon plays a vital role in the life of mystics. In this episode, we go over the three types of visions mystics experience and discuss some of the messages they convey to them and to the world.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

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For many Christian mystics who live holy lives of prayer and dedication, visions of heavenly beings are not out of the ordinary. However, heavenly visions are not always exclusive to mystics. Throughout church history, apparitions of heavenly beings have appeared countless times to regular people, often children, sometimes creating confusion and many times changing lives, countries, and even regions. In this episode, we talk about apparitions, mystical visions experienced by non-mystics.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

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Born at the end of the 30-Year’s War, the worst bloodbath ever in Christian history, with Protestants and Catholics killing each other, involving most western European nations, Catholic mystic Madame Guyon (Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon 1648 -1717) devoted herself to a life of prayer amidst intense suffering. Ironic for her era, her mysticism crossed confessional lines and appealed to both Catholics and Protestants. 

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.

You can visit our podcast website HERE.

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