The Way of the Mystics

In The Way of the Mystics we are invited to take a journey to the heart of our faith by examining the stories of thirteen of Christian history's most revered mystics. These spiritual pioneers devoted their lives to exploring a deeper communion with God and through their examples show us how we can apply spiritual wisdom to our own lives. The mystics featured in this book are from different centuries, countries, and Christian traditions but all have been divinely blessed to transcend the limitations of worldly concerns and fully enter the spiritual realm¾a place that so often seems closed off to us. The Way of the Mystics offers insights into the lives of such familiar figures as St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and others. The authors explore these spiritual giants' experiences, the movements they founded or influenced, and the controversies they generated, offering nuggets of truth distilled from their voluminous and often enigmatic writings. In addition, the book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.

Introduction: A Journey to the Heart of Our Faith 1

The Way of the Desert: Antony and the Desert Fathers 13

The Way of Love: Bernard of Clairvaux 31

The Way of Visions: Hildegard of Bingen 47

The Way of Joy: Francis of Assisi 63

The Way of Suffering: Catherine of Siena 81

The Way of Service: Ignatius of Loyola 97

The Way of Union: Teresa of Avila 115

The Way of Darkness: John of the Cross 133

The Way of the Artist: John Donne and England's Metaphysical Poets 151

The Way of the Inner Light: George Fox 167

The Way of the Pilgrim: Lessons on Prayer from an Unknown Seeker 185

The Way of Childlike Love: Thérèse of Lisieux 203

The Way of the Modern Mystic: Thomas Merton 217

The Authors 233

John Michael Talbot is the founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a creative Franciscan community that is helping to revitalize ancient contemplative and monastic traditions in the twenty-first century. Known as the "Troubadour for the Lord," Talbot is Catholic music's number one recording artist with over thirty albums to his credit and sales topping four million copies.

Steve Rabey is a prolific writer who has written numerous books and hundreds of articles about religion, spirituality, history, and popular culture for magazines, newspapers, and Web sites. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Christianity Today, New Age, and Publishers Weekly.

Tap Into the Wisdom of the Mystics

"For too long the moral has been a substitute for the mystical. This fine study places the mystics back at the center of Christianity. These spiritual elders tell us that all true religion must be grounded in experiential knowledge of God, 'a lump in the throat,' and not just ideas about God."
—Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"In this day and age when our feet and our hearts seem to go in so many different directions—how good it is to find in this book an offering of earthy men and women whose feet and hearts were drawn like a magnet to the Divine. The Way of the Mystics will be a very good companion for anyone who is searching for intimacy with God. I joyfully recommend it."
—Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B., monastic, author, spiritual guide

"John Michael Talbot is a faithful worshiper of our Savior, whose music and meditations not only refresh many, but whose witness reminds us of the breadth of the scope of vital, living witness throughout the whole Body of Christ, and how much we who love Jesus Christ have to give to each other of our mutual growth and benefit."
—Jack W. Hayford, chancellor, The King's College and Seminary, Los Angeles, California