The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions

This book was a great read. It’s basically about interspirituality and how certain practices can help us reach enlightenment. By the middle of the book I could tell that the writer did not have the divine light enlightenment encounter, but he has experienced something. It could be enhanced psychic abilities or understanding consciousness. This was still a very good read especially for those that don’t understand the middle path towards enlightenment. I have had this divine experience with the white light I call God so it was an interesting read.

This book was the result of many years of study and interfaith dialogue as well as a dedicated regular practice of various forms of prayer such as the Rosary, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and the Eucharist. There is an enthusiasm and exuberance in Br. Teasdale's ongoing communion with God that he is eager to share with the world -- not as a boast but as a gift. To show that such faith, hope and love is accessible to all. He takes the affirmation of Vatican II, that all major faiths contain their own take on the greater truths of life and death, very seriously. His exploration of other religions is done from the perspective of someone who is rooted in his own tradition, and while he presents his own synthesis of how he interprets other faiths, he doesn't force this on those from other religions. Everyone, religious and irreligious, interprets other religions and beliefs through the lens of their own views, and Teasdale does so generously, accurately and honestly. His vision isn't one of a sloppy, indistinct mush made up of pieces of various religions that is so generic and bland as to be useless. In fact Teasdale writes so lovingly of the structures and liturgical gems each tradition has inherited that one suspects he would find such an indiscriminate merger of religions to be a tragedy. His view for an inter-spiritual age is based on the idea that each tradition is a complete system which can interact with and learn from others without losing its distinctiveness. I purchased this book many years ago and have re-read it several times, and each time I find something I didn't notice or fully appreciate before. It is a wonderful companion to have on your spritual journey.

Brother Wayne has shared an important gift to the world with this book where he demonstrates his deep love of The Divine as found in every belief system. His vision of the mystical path to God knows no limits, and I rejoice in his brilliant exploration of the mystical aspects of each of the world's religions. This is a must-read for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of how the Ultimate Reality is pursued in nearly every spiritual tradition.

Mysticism (as Teasdale tells it) would make better sense if it was shown clearly in relation to the "final integration" that is referred to at the end of chapter 9. If you look at mysticism as a duality of self and non-self, it suggests that it is a state that waits for resolution. I see mysticism as a transitional state, a sort of halfway house of being before becoming whole. I do not see the spiritual destination as the mystical life but rather the final integration. To romanticize the mystical state of being is to lock one in place. I recall one women I was corresponding with who said she was relieved to no longer be a mystic. The resolution of the mystical life is a happy moment as one is finally free to live an ordinary life.The mystical state still retains the narrative of one's culture and that narrative separates us from others in other cultures who hold different narratives. The duality of mysticism does not rise above these cultural narratives, in fact it is the narrative that helps gives one direction. The final integration is not only self-transcendence but also transcendence of the narrative as well. At that point I think we could start to talk about interspirituality. It seems premature to approach it from the unresolved mystical state.

There really is no other book on inter-spirituality, the new millennium of religious experience. One of the most important books I’ve ever read.

This book is the epitome of books for all who are seeking to understand mysticism and the connection of all world religions, and also what is happening in terms of spiritual growth within their own minds and souls. I happened to order it on a friend's recommendation just before I landed in the hospital and nearly died. I had amazing experiences and when the book arrived while I was in the hospital, it validated everything I was going through. Truly Amazing.

The Mystic Heart by Wayne Teasdale is a trusted resource for those persons beginning on an intentional spiritual journey as well as those well along the way and asking the many questions that inevitably arise.Wayne Teasdale draws on a profound knowledge of the world's spiritual traditions and orientations to help us better understand the shape and nature of our past travels as well as possibilities for the future. The volume is a store of wisdom into which one may delve again and again without fear of exhausting the richness of its contents.It has been my privilege to use this teaching tool with students in prison as well as seekers in upper-middle-class congregations. All were enthused and aided by such a splendid volume of spiritual wisdom.

I have yet to read it all yet, but so far I am very pleased at how well this book presents many of the mystic traditions and ties them together in a smooth and methodical manner.