The Mystic Vision: Daily Encounters with the Divine

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The Mystic Vision -

Daily Encounters with the Divine

by Andrew Harvey and Anne Baring

Godsfield Press UK and HarperSanFrancisco 1995

 

 

The mystics tell us that life is Divine, that we, in this

dimension, are in the eternal embrace of the Divine...

 

 

Andrew Harvey and I gathered together the texts from different

mystical traditions, East and West, that we had cherished for many

years. In the form of a Day Book, these were published in 1995 by

Godsfield Press in the UK and HarperSanFrancisco in the United

States. It is now out of print but is still obtainable on the

internet through Amazon and abe books. The description on the back

cover reads:

 

" This anthology, as precious as a Book of Hours, is the fruit of our

search for the quintessence of the mystic vision and the mystic

experience. It offers a treasury of texts for contemplation, chosen

from the great religious traditions of the world, which invite the

reader to open his or her heart to the Divine Presence on every day

of the year. The words are beautifully complemented by a wealth of

illustrations. " -

 

Introduction

 

-The mystics come back to us from an encounter with life's most

august secret, as Mary came running from the tomb; filled with

amazing tidings which they can hardly tell. We, longing for some

assurance, and seeing their radiant faces, urge them to pass on their

revelation if they can. ------ Evelyn Underhill, 'Mysticism'

 

-All mystics speak the same language, for they come from the same

country. ---- Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin

 

The mystics tell us that life is Divine, that we, in this dimension,

are in the eternal embrace of the Divine. They show us that our sole

purpose in life is to open our heart to this Divine Presence, to know

it and love it as the essence and ground of our own lives and as the

life of every creature and every aspect of creation. They invite us

to recognize its longing to be known in our own longing for

relationship with what seems so far from us yet is closer to us than

our breathing. Ruysbroeck expressed this with perfect clarity:-

 

When love has carried us above all things…we receive in peace the

Incomprehensible Light, enfolding us and penetrating us. What is this

Light, if it be not a contemplation of the Infinite, and an intuition

of Eternity? We behold that which we are, and we are that which we

behold; because our being, without losing anything of its own

personality, is united with the Divine Truth.

 

Ramakrishna said that the sensitive mother cooks fish differently for

each of her hungry children - plain and bland for one, rich and spicy

for the other. In exactly the same way, the Mother of the Universe

reveals various spiritual approaches to the Divine. Whether you

follow the idea of a personal God or the impersonal Truth,

Ramakrishna said, you will certainly realize the One Reality,

provided that you experience passionate longing for it.

 

----- There are an infinite number of perspectives and each one of

them is a path to God. Each individual is unique and follows a unique

path. With the longing to discover it, the way unfolds in the rhythm

of the life of each separate being. Forcing the pace can block the

opening of the heart. Each one of us will know the flowering of

consciousness as it returns to the Source or Ground of Being. As

Ramakrishna said, some will receive their meal early in the morning,

others at noon, still others not until evening. But none will go

hungry. Without exception, all living beings will eventually know

their own true nature to be the Great Light.

 

----- The Alchemists knew their work of transmuting the base metal of

ignorance and separation into the gold of union would best be done

gently, patiently and with great delicacy. As the windows of the

heart are opened, the light pours in, revealing what was previously

shrouded in darkness. Insight, wisdom, compassion grow with the

experience of communion with the Divine.

 

--this book, we have gathered together from many different

cultures, past and present, the magical, quickening words which guide

and help us on our own journey of transformation. They transmit the

vision of those women and men who discovered within themselves the

quintessential treasure of the Divine. In a time as dark as ours they

inspire and ennoble us all, giving us the hope, courage and strength

to follow them into the heart of life.

 

The Mystic Vision: Daily Encounters with the Divine