Prestigious figure of Western Christianism, who in his time was put on trial for heresy for “wanting to know more than what was suitable”, Meister Eckart, Dominican philosopher as well as mystique, after being forgotten for centuries is today recognized as one of the most important figures of Christianity. Like many Christian mystics, Eckart had the audacity to orient theology towards the abyss of nothingness. A train of thought not unlike certain Buddhist texts.
Aside from his scholarly treatise written in Latin, he delivered numerous German sermons during his travels. Suspected of heresy, he explained that he frequently used unusual language because he wanted his sermons to inspire his audience, to ignite the “supreme desire to do good”. Some of these sermons (that have been passed down to us) have been collected in a beautifully crafted ebook edition translated by Claud Field and edited by Elliot Bramham.
For the modern reader, this selection of sermons offers a path to discovery, the framework for unending meditation before the emergence of conscience itself.
Meister is German for "Master", referring to the academic title Magister in theologia he obtained in Paris. Coming into prominence during the decadent Avignon Papacy and a time of increased tensions between the Franciscans and Eckhart's Dominican Order of Preacher Friars, he was brought up on charges later in life before the local Franciscan-led Inquisition. Tried as a heretic by Pope John XXII, his "Defence" is famous for his reasoned arguments to all challenged articles of his writing and his refutation of heretical intent. He purportedly died before his verdict was received, although no record of his death or burial site has ever been discovered.
Meister Eckhart is sometimes (erroneously) referred to as "Johannes Eckhart", although Eckhart was his given name and von Hochheim was his surname.
"Perhaps no mystic in the history of Christianity has been more influential and more controversial than the Dominican Meister Eckart. Few, if any, mystics have been as challenging to modern day readers and as resistant to agreed-upon interpretation."
—Bernard McGinn, The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart... Show more