Opening up to God
Desert fathers and mothers
Kingdom of Heaven
Path of denuding
Struggle with God
Beyond the boundary
Purification
Purity of heart
We are not in the center of the circle. The monk has to endure the silence of the desert, in order to fall silent for himself. In this silence, he is broken open for the acknowledgment of his own nothingness in God. This is called ‘purity of heart’. The life of the desert monk is directed towards shedding all the voices that bind him to his self-willful existence. He wants to open his eyes and ears for the realization that his entire existence is hidden in God. With Paul, he can then say: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20).
Current
In Christ
Rhythm of life
Rhythm of prayer
Spirit of Love
At the Spring
Drinking in God’s word
Observance Ad Montem
Silence before God
Purifying fire
The path of desire
Losing ourselves in
Citeaux
New enthusiasm
The new affective interest of their times is related to the expressiveness and amorous imagery of the Song of Solomon. Ancient commentaries by Origen, translated into Latin, serve as inspiration. Both the eighty-six Sermons on the Song of Songs by Bernard and the Commentary on the Song of Songs by William of Saint-Thierry become highlights of the mystical literature of the West. 1 Quotation of Guerric Aerden.
Cistercian women
Carmel
Gathering honey
Being clothed with God
House of Love
Encounters
Fellow travelers
Recognition
These authors evoke recognition and give words to our own experiences. We need not identify with them, but in reading they lead us, unnoticed, to the deeper level of our being that always remains hidden below the horizon. Beyond the content of the text and beyond our own thoughts, they open us for our intangible relationship with God. Without fear, we can then surrender to this and entrust ourselves to the eyes of God who gazes us forth in our truth.