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

by Wayne Teasdale (Author), The Dalai Lama (Foreword) "My own interspiritual journey began in earnest in 1973, when Bede Griffiths and I began to correspond..." (more)
Key Phrases: deep nonviolence, interspiritual age, natural mysticism, Bede Griffiths, Centering Prayer, Thomas Keating (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Author Wayne Teasdale believes that we're entering the "Interspiritual Age," when a new civilization will be formed--a global culture based on common spiritual values. "Such a universal society will draw its inspiration from perennial spiritual and moral insights, intuitions, and experiences," Teasdale predicts. Throughout this ambitious book, Teasdale examines the world's religions and highlights the underlying beliefs and yearnings that will ultimately link humankind.

Nonetheless, Teasdale is also a proponent of spiritual diversity, urging readers to protect and study their own indigenous religions (or in many cases the religions of their childhoods) before rejecting them. In his glowing introduction, the Dalai Lama also speaks to the importance of preserving religions while simultaneously joining forces to create a more spiritually evolved and compassionate planet. In his final chapters, Teasdale offers ideas for cultivating a more spiritual life. Although his suggestions aren't startlingly original ("Gravitate toward silence," "Always leave the door of hope wide open.") they are tried and true and well worth the reader's time and investment. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
Teasdale is a sannyasa, or Hindu monk, who also practices Roman Catholicism and serves on the board of trustees of the Parliament of the World's Religions. Here, he proclaims the advent of a new movement toward "interspirituality"--one that claims as its heritage all valid spirituality from any and all faiths. Teasdale distinguishes "spirituality" from "religion," explaining that "Being religious connotes belonging to and practicing a religious tradition. Being spiritual suggests a personal commitment to a process of inner development that engages us in our totality." For the author, religion is a potential means to the greater end of genuine spirituality, which is highly mystical. Teasdale identifies what he considers the main elements of true spirituality and their manifestation in various religious traditions. Although he is Catholic and the book appeals to the unity underlying all traditions, most of his terminology derives from Buddhist and Hindu sources. Teasdale's style is gentle and winsome. Those who disapprove of eclecticism in religion will at least find this a clear presentation to react against, while those who share Teasdale's optimistic vision of the coming age as fostering spiritual unity among diverse peoples will consider the book an inspirational guide. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 5th Printing edition (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 (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #62,855 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #20 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Mysticism
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Dean Pielstick (Prescott, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

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!

19 of 19 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)

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.

21 of 23 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: The 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.