The Way of Paradox

The Way of Paradox

Spiritual Life As Taught by Meister Eckhart (New Edition)

by Cyprian Smith, OSB

The aim of The Way of Paradox is to express the main elements of Meister Eckhart’s teachings on the spiritual life so that modern people can grasp his ideas.

Eckhart was born in the 13th century.  He was a Dominican friar trained in theology and philosophy and entrusted with important teaching and administrative posts by his congregation.

He had in common with Benedict a deep knowledge of the human heart and he sought to understand what it is in human beings that make them desire God.

Eckhart was born into an age of transition - as we are and as Benedict was - when there was dissatisfaction and restlessness and a desire for change.  There was a feeling that the old forms of society and worship were no longer meeting the needs of the people.

Eckhart’s insight was that “I cannot know God unless I know myself”.

He says that “the sublime and glorious reality that we call ‘God’ is to be sought first and foremost in the human heart”.  He speaks of seeing with the “eye of the heart”.

Eckhart was condemned for his ideas in his own lifetime but there is now increasing interest in his writings.  However, they are complex and difficult to grasp.  This book seeks to present his ideas for the reader in an accessible way.

The first two chapters are introductory, dealing with the interest and value of Eckhart’s teaching in the contemporary world and of his conception of the spiritual life as a tension of opposites.

The central chapters consider various elements of this tension culminating in Christ.

The final chapters look at particular problems of everyday living and the implications of Eckhart’s teaching for the spirituality of today and for the future.

This is an interesting book that guides the reader through some complex and challenging ideas and manages to provide a useful introduction to the insights of Meister Eckhart.

Kaye Herse, Executive Officer, Good Samaritan Education Council, Brisbane