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This book charts the borderline between the nocturnal side of mysticism and the luminous side of death and it illuminates their paradoxical affinities. Within a culture of both denial and despair, it affirms the reality but not the finality of death. If what the generations have called the mystery of death is "the last enemy," a still more mysterious mysticism would anticipate, illuminate and disarm it, issuing in what "eyes have not seen, ears have not heard." This work is contemporary in that it represents a creative and original appropriation of tradition, is spiritually more mystical than devotional-and is ecumenically conversant with and sensitive to the great religious traditions.
"This book illuminates the mysterious affinity between mysticism and death. There are many books today on death and dying, but none like this one." — Bernadette Roberts
Foreword
1. Initiation: The Mystery of Death
Prefatory
What is Mysticism?
Mysticism and Death
A Note on the Problem of Evil
The Wound of Love
Reflections to the Reader
Reflections on the Ecumenicity of Death
The Comedy of Resurrection
2. Illumination: Nocturne
Prefatory
Night and Negative Theology
St. John of the Cross
The Cloud of Unknowing
Negative Theology Reviewed
Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation
"Yes,"
The Prayer of Suffering, or Purgatory on Earth: St.Thérèse and Etty Hillesum
The Night is the Time of Salvation.
3. Immolation: The Sacrifice
Prefatory
The Sacrifice
Our Sacrifice and the Sacrifice of Christ
Purgatory on Earth: St. Catherine of Genoa and Caryll Houselander
Concluding Reflections: Glory.
Afterword
Notes
Bibliography
Index