Guest guest Posted June 14, 2003 Report Share Posted June 14, 2003 There are many historical texts about the Divine manifesting as the Light. Just recently I've completed a unit (as part of my MA) on the European women mystics, where this theme came up continually. Particularly interesting on this is the 12th century German nun, Hildegard of Bingen who refers to a 'light within a light'. Her contemporary Elisabeth of Schonau also talks of Mary being surrounded by light. And the slightly later nuns at the Helfta monastery (Gertrude and the two Mechthilds) also refer to the Divine as light. In recent reading on the Jewish Kabbalists, particuarly the German Pietists (who are contemporary with the above mentioned German Christian nuns), I find references to the Shekhinah as light. Interestingly this also is expressed as a duality - this time as a 'light behind the light'. If anyone wants to take this theme further, they can join the 'sahajhist' (yes, blatant plug) which has a large Files section, and also is where the results of my historical research are posted. With best wishes John Noyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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