Meister Eckhart and Selected Writings

Selected Writings
Throughout history, mystical experience is related to spiritual maturity. It merely describes the state of consciousness ("Mystical Experiences"). Selected Writings focuses on the teaching and preaching of Meister Eckhart, a fourteenth century mystic, academic theologian and administrator (McGinn 40). He believes that one can reach God spiritually and not necessarily through the church. Church leaders condemned his teachings and later in life he was accused of heresy (Eckhart XV).
Eckhart original audience were Dominicans. He taught them ways of developing a deep spiritual life. His writings are classified into five main teachings. Namely: The book of divine consolation, the noble man, the talk of instruction, German sermons and Latin sermons. This essay analyzes how Meister Eckhart expresses mystical experiences in his writings.
The feeling of Oneness or Interconnection is the first element of mystical experience. Philosophy of oneness is equated to the Universe. The Universe is one and undivided and so is God. “Sermon 2(LW XXIX)” (Eckhart 257) defines God as “all that you can see and all that you cannot see” (Eckhart 258). This definition of God applies to the Universe. Nature prevents human beings from seeing the whole Universe. Therefore, the feeling of oneness describes the unity between self and nature.
The feeling of Transcendence of Time and Space is the second element of mystical experience. In this state, the mind is free from the constraints of time and space. Eckhart believes that a "free mind can achieve all things" (4). An open mind is one that focuses on God's will. Prayer also flows from a free mind. “Sermon 1 (LW XXIV, 2)” (Eckhart 253) teaches us that we communicate with God through prayers. To experience the feeling of freedom, we need to love God and wish for his goodness (Eckhart 257)
A feeling of the Sacred is the third element of mystical experience. Eckhart believed that our "inner work is divine, God-like and possessed of divine qualities" (77). Humans can connect with the divine because they were created in the image of God. We are also blessed because the Holy Spirit flows out of our hearts (God calls us his Sons). The feeling of sacred originates from the fact that our life draws from the heart of God. (Eckhart 77- 80).
Positive Mood Lifting is the fourth element of mystical experience. In this state, one experiences the feelings of ecstasy. A person is capable of living a blissful life in God himself. In our trials and tribulations, we need to rely on God because he fills us with divine joy. If we console ourselves with earthly things, we will not experience the feelings of ecstasy in our lives (Eckhart 70).
Feeling of Transformative Change that is lasting is the last element of mystical experience. Eckhart believes that a noble man is one who has wholeheartedly accepted God. A person who is transformed has a new perspective on life. Their souls know God which signals the beginning of eternal life (Eckhart et al. 563). “Sermon 8 (DW 50, W93)” (Eckhart 136) describes a transformed individual as one who can see the "light in the lord" (Eckhart 136). This feeling cannot be expressed in words because God works in mysterious ways.
In conclusion, the teachings of Eckhart focuses on the feelings of oneness, freedom, ecstasy, sacred and transformative change. Furthermore, His teaching continue to influence Christians globally. The alternative of mystical experience is unconsciousness. Human beings should aim to encounter these experiences because it makes one's life better.


Works Cited
Eckhart, Meister. Selected Writings. Kindle ed., Penguin UK, 1994.
Eckhart, Meister, et al. The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart. PDF file, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2009.
McGinn, Bernard. The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart: The Man from Whom God Hid Nothing. 1st ed., PDF file, Herder & Herder, 2001.
"Mystical Experiences." The Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research, 2 Aug. 2017, www.aiprinc.org/mystical/. Accessed 25 March 2019