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The Way of the Mystics: Ancient Wisdom for Experiencing God Today

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In his Young Men's Classes, Scottish Pastor Alexander Whyte spent a year teaching on "The Mystics." Each week Dr. Whyte discussed the spiritual vitality and commitment of people like Tauler, Thomas a Kempis, Luther, Santa Teresa, St. John of the Cross, Madame Guyon and Fenelon. I was intrigued that someone as eminent as Dr. Whyte would spend time focusing on the mystics. I also knew that A.W. Tozer, an anointed speaker and writer, was a student of the mystics. With some qualifications, he recommended their books.

Today an interest in mysticism and mystical practices seems to be on the rise. Some evangelicals might view with suspicion or even alarm the writings and practices of the mystics. There may be valid reasons for concern given the excesses and errors that have been documented.

However, like a lot of things, we should be careful about judging something by its extremes. For those who would like to explore this subject first hand, John Michael Talbot and Steve Rabey have written The Way of the Mystics. John Michael Talbot is known for his beautiful inspirational music, but he has also authored or co-authored nearly 20 books. Steve Rabey is a prolific writer and an evangelical who has an appreciation for some of the ancient practices of Christianity.

Who is a mystic? Talbot defines it this way: "A mystic is an ordinary person blessed by an extraordinary experience of God that transforms his life in amazing ways. A mystic is someone who believes there are realities to life that are beyond what can be perceived by our rational minds or described in words. Further, a mystic not only believes this in the abstract but also desires to practice it in the concrete, allowing these deeper realities to permeate his or her life."

The lessons that can be learned from each of 13 different men and women mystics are what this book is all about. Most are Catholic, but there are a few-John Donne, George Fox, and an unknown seeker-that are from different faiths. In each chapter we get a concise overview of the person's life and background, their thought-including quotations from their writings-and a summary of additional resources available for further study. The book serves as a clear introduction and guide to some of the best known and a few lesser-known mystics in Church history.

It's not all highlights. The book does not gloss over the faults of the individuals. When writing about Bernard of Clairvaux, the authors state: "In his most embarrassing public episode, Bernard helped rouse support for the Second Crusade-a horrible failure that resulted in the unnecessary loss of many lives." When the authors tell us that Bernard did this "to his lasting regret," we get a complete picture. He may have inspired the Crusade, but he realized that he made a mistake, one that he regretted for the rest of his life. This kind of honesty is characteristic throughout the book. Though welcome, it can make for uncomfortable reading when dealing with some of the extreme forms of asceticism that some of these individuals practiced.

The authors help us understand that the mystics were often influenced by the times in which they lived. Catherine of Siena "grew up at a time when saintliness was equated with harsh ascetic practices, but she clearly took the idea of crucifying the flesh to a whole new level." Among other things, she would scourge her body three times a day with a chain that was tipped with sharp hooks. We might be tempted to dismiss someone like this, but as one scholar put it: Catherine was "both anorexic and holy." She experienced a genuine intimacy with God.

Catherine did develop anorexia, which brought about an early death from starvation. At the end of this particular section the authors provide an appropriate warning: "Those who want to follow in the footsteps of the mystics should be forewarned that potential dangers lie in their path if they choose a life that combines solitary devotion with harsh discipline."

"The Way of the Pilgrim" chapter deals with the origin of the Jesus Prayer and discusses "breath prayer." The Jesus Prayer involves repeated repetitions of the phrase: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." This kind of prayer is foreign to me, and as an evangelical I found myself questioning it. In situations like this when one finds something that is questionable, the temptation, especially for evangelicals, may be to reject something entirely-like this book. If Tozer had done that he would have been without the inspiration that Catherine's writings provided him.

The disturbing elements in the lives of the mystics are offset by the rich reservoirs of devotion that flowed from their lives. I appreciated the simple childlike faith of Therese of Lisieux. "The only way to make progress along the path of divine love is to remain very little and put all our trust in Almighty God," she said. "That is what I have done."

If they were in print, it would be wonderful to read Alexander Whyte's lectures on the mystics. Since they may not be available, I'm glad that John Michael Talbot and Steve Rabey have given us The Way of the Mystics. It's easy to read and understand, and it provides an overview of a segment of Church history. It would make an excellent textbook for those who wanted to lead or take a class on the mystics. Alexander Whyte, Tozer and others, who value what can be learned from the mystics, might consider such a class a worthwhile endeavor.

John Michael Talbot is probably better known as a recording artist than an author, but he has an extensive publication list too, particularly in the areas of music ministry as well as spirituality. Steve Rabey similarly has many publications to his credit, including articles in periodicals and newspapers. Together they form a good team to provide information in an accessible form about a special group of people in the Christian tradition - the mystics.

Not all mystics are created equal. Mystics come in all shapes and sizes, and can be found in almost every denominational and religious framework. Talbot and Ramey wanted to stick close to their own Christian tradition with this book; the figures included here are both Catholic and Protestant, including some from the era of the undivided church. There are eight men, four women, and one unknown person representing a wide range of historical periods.

This is in many ways meant to be a practical book - that is, it relates the history, teaching and insights of the mystics to the broader range of Christian practices. 'In the Christian tradition, sacraments like Holy Communion or the Eucharist of the Lord's Supper provide a public means for believers to share in such mysteries. Spiritual disciplines like prayer and meditation provide a more private means for such connection.'

The earliest figures represented in this book are the Desert Fathers, with St. Antony in particular a highlighted figure. The most recent figure highlighted in Thomas Merton. Between these two, nearly two thousand years of Christian history can be found. These are in many ways pioneers, as Talbot and Rabey describe them in the introduction. 'If you are a Christian, these pioneers are part of your spiritual legacy.'

In my seminary, we taught a class at the beginning of the degree, required of all students in the primary ministry programme, that surveyed the different practices and different denominational aspects of Christianity, because so many people come to seminary with only the experience of their own denominational tradition (and sometimes with only the experience of their own congregation) - that course introduces people to the wider range of possibility for Christian expression, showing valid practices and traditions from within the Christian tradition that are authentic even if different from what people are used to.

This would be an excellent book for that course, and an excellent book for those who want a similar experience, of discovering the different ways in which Christian mysticism can be expressed and incorporated into one's own regular practices. Each section concludes with a 'Learning more about...' section, and each includes pull-quote boxes with highlights, and timelines that connect the particular individual focused upon with the wider Christian and historical context.

Each chapter can be read in a short time, but a good deal of time for contemplation should be permitted. Essays are not simple recitations of writings, key ideas, or biographical sketches, but rather serve to introduce the spirit of the figure in relation to today's world - for example, George Fox is likened to the hippies of the 60s in both his nonviolent message and his manner of vagabond lifestyle.

This is a wonderful text by which the beginner can learn more about the mystical practices and key figures of Christian history. It is also a good book for those with more advanced training to refresh the memory of the people with new insights.

The Way of Mystics - Ancient Wisdom for Experiencing God Today by John Michael Talbot & Steve Rabey

These lessons from thirteen holy men and women of God encourage us to continue on our journey to both love God and be of service to others. They provide examples of prayer, solitude, reflection, spiritual direction, practicing the Presence of God and enduring dark nights of the soul and continue to mentor and guide millions by their lives.

Theresa of Avila, "This Lord of ours is so anxious that we desire Him and strive after His companionship that He calls us ceaselessly, time after time, to approach Him." The practical, service side of Theresa was also deeply affirming. " True perfection consists In the Love of God an our neighbor and the more nearly perfect is our observance of these two commandments, the nearer to Perfection we will be. Pg. 122. She also said, "we cannot be sure if we are loving God, although we may have good reason for believing we are, but we can know quite well if we are loving our neighbor." Pg. 129.

St. Francis of Assisi has taught us much about his love for God and its expression in God's creation but this chapter also speaks about the social and spiritual difficulties of the time in which Francis lived and how that context moved him toward God rather than away from Him. His wealthy upbringing gave him a particular sensitivity toward the poor and weak as he gave away all that he owned and adopted a different lifestyle, one of poverty and service. Pg. 67.

St John of the Cross helps us to better understand, "the dark night of the soul" times. Times when we hold on to God in the face of suffering or questions or wondering where is God. His response, "take up your cross." obey God and you will move toward his light. His writings reminded me of the Psalms where it was ok to question God or speak to Him what was on one's heart. He spent quite a bit of time in prison where his writings occurred, much of it in solitary confinement. He felt that attachments were a great hindrance to progress in spiritual journey.

This book shows us men and women who wanted to know God more and what they did to find Him. Some will be shocked by their actions and the extent they deprived themselves but these people had an Audience of One that was their primary concern. They have much to teach us.

First, I have to say that I am not a Catholic and only modestly Christian in my religious beliefs - I don't need much more than the Sermon on the Mount. I am closer to what Talbot calls a Universalist. That being said I found this book a wonderful read.

This is a book about Christian mystics written by a mystic himself - and in a very accessible style. He searches the mystics from the third to the twentieth centuries looking to find some truth that transcends history in both their similarities and differences. Its a nice review of the times, biographies, and brief writings of these seekers. Its also a great way to find books you'd like to dig into deeper since he provides some thoughtful guidance at the end of each chapter on the essential readings from each mystic.

I was particularly impressed with his balanced coverage of some important Christian mystics like John Donne and George Fox who are not Catholics. The only glaring omission from this book in my opinion is Meister Eckhart. If you're interested in a book on mystics that transcends Christianity you might consider Andrew Harvey's The Essential Mystics. However, Talbot does a much better job in anchoring each mystic into their place in historical times.

I found The Way of The Mystics to be helpful in gaining insights into some of the Mystics I have read of and some I didn't know anything about. This book gives me enough information about the types of Mystics so I can read further about the ones I am drawn to.

The Way of the Mystics: Ancient Wisdom for Experiencing God Today, by John Michael Talbot with Steve Rabey (Jossey-Bass; New Ed edition, June 16, 2006).
Talbot is a singer guitarist who founded the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a Franciscan community devoted to revitalizing ancient contemplative and monastic traditions. A high school drop out he helped form the folk rock group Mason Proffit, a band which jammed with the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. Eventually Talbot concluded that the "rock star" life seemed empty and sad and turned to producing Christian music. His website is www.johnmichaeltalbot.com and Amazon allows you to listen to sections of his many recordings.
The Way of the Mystic is an introduction to 13 men and women mystics including Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, Teresa of Lisieux, George Fox, John Donne, John of the Cross, and The Anonymous Pilgrim who, following the admonition of Paul to "pray without ceasing," recited the Jesus Prayer thousands of times a day like a mantra: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me, a sinner. Talbot defines a mystic as someone who believes there are realities to life that are beyond what can be perceived by our rational minds or described in words.
The Way of the Mystics covers nearly two thousand years of Christian history exploring a tradition that has all but vanished in today's church. Each chapter provides an overview of the person's life and background, their thought--including quotations from their writings--and a summary of additional resources for further study. Each essay contains a valuable time chart showing the life of the mystic alongside important concurrent world events
Talbot begins in the 3rd century with the story of Anthony of the Desert whose faith was influenced by the desert experience of Jesus and John the Baptist. Anthony lived for some 70 years in the searing deserts of Egypt with little water and food and long hours kneeling in prayer. He was the model for thousands who followed him away from the moral pollution of the cities eventually forming small communities that were the advent of monasticism.
Talbot is quite candid about the lives he writes about, sharing their faults as well as their blessings. Bernard of Clairvaux, for example, the famed monastic reformer of the 12th century, suffered personal embarrassment and humiliation "to his lasting regret," for his part in organizing the disastrous 2nd crusade that failed and cost so much slaughter.
Fourteenth century Spanish mystic, Catherine of Siena, was one of 25 siblings who was born in the year that the Black Death reached Europe and grew up at a time and in a culture that equated saintliness with harsh ascetic practices. She practiced beating out the devil by daily scourging her body with a chain tipped with sharp hooks. She slept every other day and fasted to the point of anorexia, which ended her life at age 33.
George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, lived a peripatetic lifestyle not unlike a 60's hippy roaming the country preaching nonviolence. This fervent anti-Catholic did not believe in worshiping in church buildings, which he referred to "steeple houses." To him the Bible was less reliable in knowing God than personal inner revelation. In a sermon to the people of Leicestershire, England, he announced his mission to bring people off their old ways . . . from their churches . . . from all the world's religions . . . from all the worlds' fellowships, and prayings, and singings . . . from heathenish fables, and from men's inventions and windy doctrines . . . and all their images and crosses, and sprinkling of infants, with all their holy days . . . and all their vain traditions. (p.169)
John Donne, the great English metaphysical poet sought to use his art for the greater glory of God. A convert to Anglicanism, he was later ordained as a priest and deacon of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. His most famous piece, No man is an island . . . came from his wondering about the impact of a soul's departure upon those who remain behind.
Talbot invites his readers to consider the role God plays in their lives, asking, is God a living and breathing reality in the core of your being or merely a cold theological abstraction? Do you experience the fullness of Christ or are you snacking on Christianity lite? This book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.

John L. Laughlin

Good, succinct overview of these fascinating people. An easy read, with a nice bibliography for further study on each mystic. My only complaint -- I know way more about John Michael Talbot and his comunity and music than I needed!

This is one of John Michael Talbot's best books. He gives a review of the lives of many mystics and there are lists of more in-depth books about each person at the end of each chapter.