Thanks so much for your response, I didn’t expect it so quickly!

I am in the middle of your book (The Big Book) and have just started to read the material on your website, so I am not thoroughly versed on your viewpoint, ideas, etc. I’d like to say, though, that it wasn’t a criticism of your work that it didn’t reference Roberts – but I was curious if you were either 1) unfamiliar with her work, or 2) familiar with it, but not a fan.

Her name comes up fairly often these days, but even though she’s Christian (Catholic, and a former nun) she may be more popular among people who are interested in non-dual teaching, Advaita, etc…I have found her books very thought provoking and interesting, although I must say that I’ve sometimes found her style of describing her perspective quite irritating as well. If you ever chose to read one of her books, I would recommend “The Experience of No-Self”.

I’ve never had the feeling, when reading Roberts’s stuff, that she was putting down other Christian Mystics…I get the sense that she believes some didn’t reach that stage, and others did reach it but didn’t write about it. In “Experience of No-Self” she says

I have always been of the opinion that John of the Cross, with the Spanish Inqui-
sition breathing down his neck, failed to give us the full story. We know that his
writings were left incomplete. (p119)

and later says, about Eckhart:

As I read Eckhart, I read of one who has made the journey and crossed over.
Yet, I also understand he was so outspoken about what he learned beyond
the breakthrough that he eventually incurred the censure of the Church. (p205)

+++++++++++++++++

I also read a pretty good interview with her describing her journey/experience:
http://www.spiritualteachers.org/b_roberts_interview.htm

Thanks again for your response, I’m enjoying your book and appreciate the suggested reading portion- several of the books were available at our library, so I’m looking forward to reading them as well.

Leigh

I’m new to this site, I am now reading The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and am enjoying it. I have a question…

Having read some of Bernadette Roberts’s books (Path to No-Self, Experience of No-Self, and What is Self?) I noticed that she doesn’t figure very prominently in your suggested reading pages. I am not finished with the book (The Big Book…) but I believe I’ve read therein of Union being the “final stage” on a mystics path – which Roberts argues is a developmental stage prior to No-Self. She also speaks about the problem (in her opinion) that all the writings of the mystics end at this stage( with the exception, to some extent, of Meister Eckhart and some from other traditions) and ignore the following and final stage, that of No-Self.

I’m curious if you, Carl, or other readers here have any opinions on this topic- either on Bernadette Roberts, or of Union being (or not being) the ultimate destination on “the path”. Thanks for your thoughts – I’m enjoying the book and many of the comments on this site.

Leigh

Thankyou,

Jonathan

Too many find comfort divided into sections.
Someone asked me,
“What religion are you, what denomination?”
I said, I walk upon the wall that separates,
so I may not be defined nor confined to small spaces;
plus the view is better up here,
all lines have been erased
and you can see for miles
all boundaries displaced.

All faiths lead the way to light,
but only if love is man’s devotion.
As the buffalo follow the elephants
and the zebras follow the oxen
all in search of water.

Mystic messages
Poetic utterances
The dervish spin
To the way of the Tao
Sitting Zen
In silent illumination
Buddha laughs with a tear
Jesus cries in joyous cheer
Divine musings
Sing and sing
To the sound of:
The Bhagavad Gita
AUM
The alpha and omega
is here