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The Rhineland Mystics Mendicantthe The Rhineland Mystics This year in Daily Meditations I’m exploring my “Wisdom 1328), Johannes Tauler (1300-1361), and Henry Suso Lineage,” the teachers, texts, and traditions that have most (c.1300-1366); and Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa (1401- influenced my spirituality and teaching. (Read my introduction 1464), the teacher of “dialectical mysticism” and “learned to the Wisdom Lineage in the January 2015 issue of The ignorance.” In more recent history, another Rhineland Mendicant and “Desert Christianity and the Eastern Fathers Mystic who might surprise (or shock) some of you was Carl of the Church” in the April 2015 issue at cac.org/about-cac/ Gustave Jung (1875-1961), who lived much of his life on newsletter.) —Richard Rohr, OFM the southern end of the Rhine in both Basel and Zurich, Switzerland. He himself admits he term Rhineland to being influenced by Hildegard, Mystics refers to the Eckhart, and Nicholas of Cusa’s mostly German-speaking fascination with “the opposites.” spiritual writers, preach- The mystical path was largely Ters, and teachers, who lived largely mistrusted and, some would say, between the 11th and 15th cen- squelched after Martin Luther’s turies, and whose importance has strongly stated prejudice against only recently been rediscovered. “mysticism,” emphasizing Scripture The “Trans-Alpine” Church always to such a degree that personal enjoyed a certain degree of freedom spiritual experience was considered from Roman oversight and control, unimportant and almost always simply by reason of distance, and of Bingen, 1165. Hildegard by suspect. Of course he had seen its drew upon different sources and misuse and manipulation in the Scivias inspirations than did the “Cis- medieval Catholic world, where Alpine” Church of Italy, France, and pre-rational thinking was com- Spain. The Rhineland Mystics were monly confused with trans-rational outstanding in their courage, very thinking. Luther’s much-needed creative viewpoints, and vocabulary. contribution led us to an early The Rhineland phenomenon stage “rational” (transactional) use was in many ways ahead of its time, of the Scriptures, as a corrective because the expectation was that to Catholic excesses, but then spiritual writings would mainly he seemed to get trapped there. come from the Spanish, Italian, and illumination from manuscript Man,” “Universal Nevertheless, the Lutheran tradi- French. While all German speakers, tion produced several profound along with English speakers, were Hildegard was far ahead of her mystics, such as the German expected to write theology and phi- place and time, a Renaissance shoemaker, Jacob Boehme (1575- losophy, they were seldom identi- woman from north of the Alps, 1624), and the amazing Emanuel fied with the more mystical mind. Swedenborg (1688-1772), who You might already be familiar outside centers of influence, and inspired his own mystical branch of with the Benedictines, Hildegard of yet she combined art, music, Christianity, Swedenborgianism. Bingen (1098-1179) and Gertrude poetry, ecology, medicine, Much Catholic theology the Great (1256-1302); the community, healing, and and philosophy, such as that of Beguine, Mechtilde of Magdeburg early feminism. Aquinas, Bonaventure, and Duns (1210-1285); the Dominicans, Scotus, helped many Catholics to including Meister Eckhart (1260- continued on page 6 June 2015 • vol. 5 no. 3 An educational center grounded in the Christian mystical tradition Connect with CAC • Visit us online at cac.org to learn more about CAC’s educational programs and resources • Sign up to receive monthly news and daily meditations by email: cac.org/sign-up • Stop by our Visitor Center and Bookstore 1823 Five Points Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM Open weekdays 9 a.m.–noon, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. McKee © 2015 David • Write to us at [email protected] or CAC, PO Box 12464, Albuquerque, NM 87195 Turn Information into Transformation The question for us is always “how can we turn information into transformation?” How can we use the sacred texts, tradition, and experience to lead people into new places with God, with life, with themselves? — Richard Rohr, OFM We seek to empower individuals to live out their sacred soul tasks in service to the world through: • Conspire Conferences: Seven-year series of events • Webcasts : Live teachings from Fr. Richard streamed following Fr. Richard’s underlying themes online, around the world • Online Education: Self-paced, online courses • Bookstore : A comprehensive selection of books and connecting learners worldwide recordings (many available only through CAC) • Living School: Two-year program combining onsite • Daily Meditations: Free daily reflections sent globally and online learning by e-mail to over 165,000 individuals Support the Work The Center for Action and Contemplation is a nonprofit educational organization. Please support this work by donating securely online at cac.org/support-cac or by sending a check, payable to CAC, to PO Box 12464, Albuquerque, NM 87195. We also invite you to consider remembering CAC in your will. For more information about making a charitable contribution, including stock transfers and bequests, email [email protected]. Dancing Standing Still is filled with contemplative prayer. In fact, the book insights from Richard Rohr’s ever- itself may be an agent of transformation deepening spiritual journey. Don’t let for many. its thin size fool you: it is both deep and In Dancing Standing Still, Fr. Richard wide in wisdom. Densely packed with has created something that is “usable sparkling gems, its broad range covers for God.” It truly feels “living and active” most of Fr. Richard’s well-loved themes because it helps open us to the God who in a near-poetic manner. Throughout, transforms us. I trust that God will use it Fr. Richard’s long-standing teachings for much good! come to life: truly helpful, transformative —Judy Traeger, action in the world results from our longtime friend and supporter of the own personal transformation through CAC and former Board member 2 What are Current Living School Students Experiencing? had been an intense God-seeker my entire adult life always in the background, advising us to slow down and find when I arrived at the Living School in the fall of 2013. among these mystics a teacher, a practice, and a community, My faith narrative had included and to go deep in one place. Ia contemplative path, seminary, and I realized I’d spent years at the a short career as a United Methodist smorgasbord of spiritual literary delights, pastor, and I was working for a global skimming the surface and never allowing hunger and relief nonprofit. The Living any one teacher to have his or her full way School was a lifeline for me to all that with me. So when Meister Eckhart stirred our faculty presented to us during that my soul, calling me to “do nothing for first Symposium—such as the non-dual God,” “let go and be,” I stopped and made “naked now,” “wisdom of the heart,” the transforming decision to give myself and the “infinity of the infinite God over to him and his “wayless way.” Drawn infinitely loving us.” Above all, what I by his sermons into the dynamism of the hoped for was that the Christian path Trinity, everything we’d learned became would remain viable for me and, in my more relevant. paraphrase of Fr. Richard’s words, “that Once I was grounded in one mystic, my heart could find itself smiling at Tide I was able to see unity in all. As my future boxes in Kmart.” unfolds in the immediacy of each moment, I now know the I threw myself before the fire hydrant of reading fullness in my soul, the paradox of wanting more, and the assignments. Always an avid student, reading was my ability to rest in having all I need. consolation on such an uncertain journey, along with the —Lee Warren community of new friends who shared my passion for learning. Many of us in the Living School had known an Lee Warren received an MDiv from Duke University and pastored agonizing longing for the types of conversations that began two United Methodist churches before joining Stop Hunger Now, an immediately upon check-in. Core texts seemed at times international hunger and relief organization. Following her first year of surprisingly heady for a group who sought the experiential, the Living School, Lee retired. She now allows time for her grown children but we were gaining the foundation of a lineage; a lineage at and grandchildren, for discernment and spiritual study, and for a long- times new and revelatory, and in opposition to what many of delayed call to work with hospice. Lee and her husband, Charles, live in us encountered at home. As my library grew, Jim Finley was South Hill, Virginia. ADMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Study and practice to deepen awareness of union with God. Discover and live out your soul task in service to the world. Embark on a two-year program combining online studies and onsite learning in New Mexico with core faculty members Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, and James Finley. RETURNING TO ESSENTIALS Teaching an Alternative Orthodoxy Richard, Cynthia, and Jim point to the essential, yet often overlooked, mystical and wisdom teachings. This talk by Living School faculty, included in the application packet, is also available separately. Pay as little as $1 for an Admissions open July 1–September 30, 2015, for the 2016–2018 Living School program. The Living School application packet includes a variety of MP3—at store.cac.org. digital resources to support your spiritual journey and discernment process (a $66 value). Applications are available July 1–September 16, 2015. Donations are gratefully accepted. A CD recording can be purchased for $15. Explore and apply at cac.org/living-school 3 Getting to Know Our Donors: Friar Bertin on Friar Richard first met Richard Rohr in the late 70s or to present with him at CAC-sponsored early 80s at an Enneagram workshop at conferences.
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