The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions [Paperback]

Wayne Teasdale (Author), The Dalai Lama (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2001

Drawing on experience as an interreligious monk, Brother Wayne Teasdale reveals the power of spirituality and its practical elements. He combines a profound Christian faith with an intimate understanding of ancient religious traditions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Mystic Heart is a beautiful and profound meditation on the commonalities at the core of the world's great religions." — Ken Wilber, author of The Marriage of Sense and Soul "As a student of mysticism for more than thirty years, I have never encountered as thorough or profound a book as The Mystic Heart. Teasdale gives us a history...and a wide-ranging and practical set of how-to's to bring the ancient secrets into the lives of modern mystics — like you and me." — Thom Hartmann, author of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight "Once the province of the few, the mystical path may now be the requirement of the many — a unique developmental path for self and world. The Mystic Heart goes to the heart of this matter." — Jean Houston, author of A Mythic Life --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (March 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157731140X
• ISBN-13: 978-1577311409
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mystic's View, July 26, 2002

By 

Dean Pielstick - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions (Paperback)

As one who practices in the mystic tradition of dzogchen, I greatly appreciate the insight and effort of Teasdale to articulate a universal perspective of spirituality. I share his approach to integrating core understandings of the great traditions and his desire to transcend (though not eliminate) differences. Far from "tedious," as one reviewer saw it, I thought that it was well written and easy to follow. Two reviewers criticized the book for failing to articulate each of the various traditions' or mystics' perspectives. They are correct. It does not. Yet that is not his purpose. There are other sources if that is what one is seeking. Rather, he is illustrating the interspirituality found in these diverse mystical traditions. Granted that his perspective is colored by his own Catholic tradition, but he is clearly open to and appreciative of what other traditions bring to the table. I thoroughly enjoyed the the book, one of the best I have read outside of those in my own tradition (my own bias showing here <grin>), and I highly recommend it!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How we can be one, November 3, 2002

By 

John Rice (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions (Paperback)

The Second Vatican Council issued a document called Nostrae Aetate, which called for dialogue among all religions in terms of prayer and spirituality. The Cistercians and Benedictines were commissioned to lead this dialogue. Since that time there have been cross spiritual or interspiritual dialogue among Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems and others. Wayne Teasdale is a Benedictine monk who has spent considerable time studying the religions of the east. In this book he writes of the different emphases of these religions as well as their commonality. He maintains that spirituality is the work of all religions and cultures. He blends insights from spiritual masters of the east and west. For Christians, Teasdale notes how some practices in eastern religions match those of Christianity. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is much the same as the eastern practice of being one with God in compassion. The united presence of all people and God relates to the Cathgolic devotion to the Eucharist.

Teasdale calls not for a bland homogenous spirituality, but one which does not cultural accretions to blind people to the beauty of prayer, devotions and mysticism available to all. This movement is not a denial of a particular religion, but a way in which all religions can benefit. Additionally, one can find support from one's own tradition. And yet receive insight from another that enhances one's own. This book offers hope that spirituality can unite humankind, not divide.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mystic Heart, January 31, 2000

By 

Gary T Mallalieu (Middletown, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystic Heart - Discovering A Universal Spirituality In The World's Religions (Hardcover)

Review by Bill Williams, Hartford Current, CT, USA January 8, 2000 Submitted by Gary T. Mallalieu

Wayne Teasdale calls this "the interspiritual age" and predicts that interspirituality will become "the religion of the third millennium." The author, who grew up in Windsor (CT) and now lives in Chicago as a Catholic lay monk, offers an inspiring vision of a world where people draw from the wisdom of all the great spiritual traditions.

He begins with the assertion that" every one of us is a mystic" capable of "direct contact with the divine, or ultimate mystery." As well as any recent writer, Teasdale draws on the insights of Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism to shed light on the spiritual journey. He sketches a vision that is at once practical and uplifting. He discusses social action, solitude, nature, solidarity with all living beings, nonviolence, simplicity, and other attributes of the spiritual quest.

The goal of any spiritual journey is to "prepare ourselves to be receptive and sensitive to the divine presence by slowly awakening our spiritual senses." This is a landmark book in the field of interreligious dialogue, written with sensitivity and deep respect for all the great traditions.