Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.

Wayne Teasdale passed away unexpectedly a few days ago.

The Mystic Heart is not heavy reading, but somewhat of a mysticism/interspirituality primer, more descriptive than prescriptive. It is certainly comprehensive and good for familiarizing oneself with the basic elements of mysticism and interspirituality, but it does not contain much practical guidance. The glossary is is fair. The recommended reading list is great.

Brother Wayne Teasdale's book is an inspiration for all readers
interested in learning about the commonalities between religions,
in an attempt to find a common ground on which to build fruitful
inter-religious dialogue and appreciate the mystic core of all the major religious traditions. This book is affirming and helpful because it points to a future possibility and present reality in which cooperation, love, respect, and understanding of the mystic heart of all spiritual traditions is one and the same.
Most wars that have been fought throughout history have been religious wars. If the human family can begin to nurture its spiritual and religious commonalities, then I believe that we will have less war and more peace. The Mystic Heart eloquently and optimistically speaks of the infinite spiritual potential of the human family that can be realized. This book is so critically important for readers to ponder, read, and pray--especially in this post September 11 world we inhabit. A member of the Parliament of the World's Religions, Teasdale offers readers a glimpse into a new understanding of the enormous potential of the human family to transcend religious devisions and strive toward higher levels of spiritual awareness. As the old adage says, "There are no fences in heaven," Mystic Heart speaks about the possibility of having no fences on earth between religions, but rather gates where there is potential for mutual understanding, sharing, and living, in harmony with one another and the cosmos. I highly recommend this book for all readers interested in cultivating their mystic heart of understanding!

When Teasdale speaks of his own mystic encounters, he is interesting. But that is a small percentage of the book. His overview of how mysticim figures in the world's religions is also of interest, particularly if you are not very familiar with Hinduism. But apart from Hindu and Christian, he seems to be looking at everything else from quite a distance, so that we never get much of a feel for what Jewish or Islamic mysticism look or feel like.

His description of the natural mysticism of American Indians works well only because he never goes into any depth or details. He can talk lightly on one page about harm no sentient life, and then on the next page extol American Indians as paragons of virtue, with no comment on the fact that they were hunters and warriors for the most part.

My main complaint is that he seems overly-impressed with the ability of the group that he's a part of (Parliament of World Religions) to change the world. A United Nations-type committee to bring about world mystical harmony is more or less absurd to my mind.

Teasdale gives us too many generalities and too many lists of virtues and guidelines. There is a sermonizing quality to much of what he says, a desire to be moralize.

Also, his bottom line seemed to be that Christian mysticism leads to union with Love itself, while some other forms of mysticism lead to a state that is compassionate and blissful but may also be experienced as Void. To me this indicates that Christianity is a step beyond earlier mystic insights (although it has not done as well in leading people to follow Christ to this end-point). But Teasdale seems far more critical of Christianity than he does of Hinduism and other traditions. He says, for example, "Christian mysticism has always rejected the body, as evidenced by the extreme asceticism of Francis of Assisi. He spent a good deal of time fasting, sometimes praying all night on his knees. His poor body was a victim of his piety!....The East has its equivalent ascetical hardships on the body, but has also managed to understand that the body can be beneficial to the spiritual journey."

Well, Francis of Assisi may have been hard on his body, but praying all night on your knees is nothing compared to the extreme ascetical practices still followed in Hinduism, where men spend years with one arm held over their heads or standing on their feet day and night for years. And it is simply untrue that Christian mysticism as a whole flatly rejects the body. The Mystical Marriage, with its erotic overtones, is the primary Christian mystical metaphor.

F. C. Happold's book entitled Mysticism is superior to Teasdale's in allowing the mystic traditions to speak for themselves and also in providing a framework for understanding what they have to say. Another book called Mystics, Masters, Saints and Sages also is more valuable in actually allowing mystics of various traditions and no traditions at all to speak of their vision.

One other complaint: Teasdale's question about psycho-active drugs/plants is worth raising, but his answer misses the point. If a state of mind similar to a mystical state can be induced by peyote, for example, the question is: doesn't this suggest that mystical states are physiologically caused? He never confronts this question.

I love this book and I really enjoyed sharing some time with Bother Wayne to talk about some of the many, many insights and information he presents in his book. It is lucidly written and is organized very logically. However, rather than plow through it, I found myself pausing frequently to ponder or contemplate various points or observations Wayne shares.

If you accept the story of creation as the true myth it is (a myth being a story that expresses a truth that cannot be known directly), then when Eve and Adam ate from the tree of knowledge, humanity suddenly developed self-reflexive awareness. Humanity realized that it is separate from God and separate from the environment as represented by the Garden of Eden. This consciousness is what pushed us out of Eden forever. Mystical experience and the mystical path is what leads us back into true union with God/The Ground of All Being/ The Void From Which All Things Come. We only exist in relation to others, most importantly, the Other. By restoring that ultimate relationship and living indrawn, we can evolve and become ever more able to practice love, ecology, and so forth -- healing our selves, others, and the environment. The Mystic Heart presents this problem and solution very clearly, in part by providng specific information on how to become an everyday mystic in our busy world.

I am rereading portions of the book, and have also recommended it to some of my friends. It is a great reference and "workbook". As well, both the Foreward and Preface were exciting to read. I enthusiastically recommend this book.

Great book. I normally don't read books of this nature, but was pleasantly surprised with this one. Wayne Teasdale gives the reader concepts that can be applied to give their heart and mind a sense of peace, at the same time making the world around them a better place.

Brother Wayne's roots go down deep. He is firmly rooted in the Catholic contemplative tradition, but incredibly open to and curious about the world's religions and the cross-fertilization now occuring as members of different faiths meet in dialogue. He has participated for many years in the Hindu-Christian and Buddhist-Christian dialogues. This work now finds expression in his discription and discussion of 'interspirituality' - a spirituality for the new millenium.

This is a great book. One that can lead the receptive reader into a direct experience of the spiritual realities described in it.

The Mystic Heart is an exceptional book for an average reader who is interested in things spiritual...over and over again Teasdale points out the practical experiences that can lead any of us to a mystical spiritual life..as Teasdale says: " Everyone of us is a mystic. But whether we know it or not, whether we accept it or not, mystical experience is always there, inviting us on a journey of ultimate discovery ." Teasdale helps us discover our true selves.