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THISISMEISTERECKHARTFROMWHOMGODNOTHINGHID

MeisterEckhartsaidinasermon.TheworkwroughtbyGodintheGod-lovingsoulwhichhefindsemptyanddetacliedenoughforhimtobringhimselftospiritualbirthinher,thiswork,hesaid,givesGodgreaterpleasurethananyw^orkheeverdidwithanycreatureandisfarnoblerthanthecreationofallthingsfromnothing.

OnbeingaskedthereasonwhythisworkgivesGodsuchpleas-ure,hesaiditwasbecauseGodhasnocreaturebutthesouloflargeenoughcapacityforhimtoemptyhisentiremight,thewholegroundofhisbeingin,ashedocsinthisactofbegettinghimselfghostlyinthesoul.

WhenaskedwhatGod’sbirthis,hesaid,God’sbeingbornwithinthesoulisnothingelsethanGod’sself-revelationtothesoulinsomenewknowledgeandinsomenewmode.

Anontheyaskedhim.Doesthesoul’schiefhappinessconsistinthisactwherebyGodgetshimselfinheringhostlyfashion?Quothhe,ThoughitistruethatGodtakesgreaterpleasureinthisactthaninanyotherdeedheeverdidconcerningcreature,nathelessthesoulishappierbeingre-bornintoGod.Godbeingborninhermakeshernotwhollyblessed:sheisbeatifiedwhen,inloveandpraise,shefollowsthiswisdomwhercintosheisbom,backtothesourcefromwhenceitcameandintheircommonorigin,holdingtowhatishisletsgoherown,shebeinghappynotinhersbuthis.

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MeisterEckhartsaid,Amanofgodlyloveandgodlyfearandperfectfaithmay,anhewill,receiveGod’sbodyeverydayatthepriest’shands.

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Thequestionis,whatdoesGoddoinheaven?Theanswergivenbythesaintisthis,Hecrownshisownwork:theworksGodcrownshissaintsforhewroughtinthemhimself.

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MeisterEckhartsays,IhaveJjeenaskedwhatGodisdoiiiginheaven?Ianswer,HehasbeengivinghisSonbirtheternally,isgivinghimbirthnowandwillgoongivinghimbirthforever,theFatherbeinginchildbedineveryvirtuoussoul.Blessed,thriceblessedisthemanwithinwhosesoultheheavenlyFatheristhusbroughttobed.Allshesurrenderstohimheresheshallenjoyfromhiminlifeeternal.Godmadethesoulonpurposeforhertobearhisone-begottenSon.HisbirthinMaryghostlywastoGodbetterpleasingthanhisnativityofherinflesh.WhenthisbirthhappensnowadaysinthegoodlovingsoulitgivesGodgreaterpleasurethanhiscreationoftheheavensandearth.

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MeisterEckhartsays.HewhoisevcrjrvvhereathomeisGod-worthy;tohimwhoiseverthesameisGodpresentandinhiminwhomcreaturesarcstilledGodbearshisone-begottenSon.

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MeisterEckhartsays,Holyscripturecriesaloudforfreedomfromself.Self-freeisself-controlledandself-controlledisself-possessedandself-possessionisGod-possessionandpossessionofeverythingGodevermade.Itellthee,astrueasGodisGodandIaman,wertthouquitefreefromself,freefromthehighestangel,thenwerethehighestangelthineaswellasthineownself.Thismethodgivesself-mastery.

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AccordingtoMeisterEckhart,GracecomesnototherwisethanwiththeHolyGhost.ItbearstheHolyGhostuponitsback.Graceisnostationarything,itisever-becoming.ItisflowingstraightoutofGod’sheart.Gracedoesnothingbutre-formandconveyintoGod.Gracemakesthesouldeiform.God,thegroundofthesoulandgracegotogether.

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Query,doesGodpourhisgraceintoapowerofthesoulorintoheressence,fornocreatureisallowedintheessenceofthesoul?Theansweristhatgraceisamatterofthesoulandnaughtbesideandgracewithoutsoulisnotgraceatall.Itisimmaterialforitisnottruecreature,itiscreaturely.Gracetobegracemust•havethesoulforsubstanceforifGodpouredhisgraceintoapowerofthesoulthatpoweralonewouldbenefit.Notso:heinstilsitintoheressenceandessenceworksbygraceinallherpowers.

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MeisterEckhartsays,Practiceisbetterthanprecept;butthepracticeandpreceptofeternalGodisacounselofperfection.If1wantedateacheroftheologyIshouldgoforonetoParis,toitslearneduniversity.ButifIcametoaskabouttheperfectlife,whythenhecouldnottellme.WherethenamItoturn?Topureandabstractnature,nowhereelse:thatcansolvethyanxiousqueries.Why,goodpeople,searchamongdeadbones?Whynotseekthelivingsacrumthatgiveseternallife?Thedeadgivenotnordotheytake.AnangelseekingGodasGodwouldlooknotanywhereforhimexceptinaquiet,solitarycreature.Theessenceofperfectionliesinbearingpoverty,misery,despisery,adversityandeveryhardshipthatbefalls,willingly,gladly,freely,eagerly,calmandunmovedandpersistinguntodeathwithoutawhy.

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MeisterEckhartsaid,Whateveritbethatlightsdevotioninman’sheartandknitshimclosestuntoGod,thatisthebestthingforhimhereintime.

Againhesays.TobetheheavenlyFather’sSononehastobeastrangertotheworld,remotefromself,heartwholeandhavingthemindpurified.

Oman,renouncethyselfandsowithtoil-freevirtuewintheprizeor,cleavingtothyself,withtoilfulvirtuesloseit.

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MeisterEckhartsays.HewhoiseveraloneisGodworthyandtohimwhoiseverathomeisGodpresentandinhimwhostandseverinthepresentnowdoesGodtheFatherbearhisSonunceasingly.

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MeisterEckhartsays,Hetowhom(God)isdifferentinonethingfromanotherandtowhomGodisdearerinonethingthananother,thatmanisabarbarian,stillinthewilds,achild.HetowhomGodisthesameineverythinghascometoman’sestate.Buthetowhomcreaturesallmeanwantandexilehascomeintohisown.

Hewasalsoasked:Doesthemanwhogoesoutofhimselfneedtotroubleatallabouthisnature?Heanswered,God’syokeiseasyandhisburdenislight:No,onlyabouthiswill;%vhatthetyrofearsistheexpert’sdelight.ThekingdomofGodisfornonebutthethoroughlydead.

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God’severyinflictionisalure.IgivenothankstoGodforlovingmebecauseheeannothelpit,itishisnatureto;whatIdothankhimforisthathecannotofhisgoodnessleaveofflovingme.

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Thehighestthesoulcangettointhislifeisasettledhabitationwithoutallinall.Beingwithoutallmeansbeingdetached,perfectlyfreefromselfandthings.Beinginallmeansastateofperpetualrest:poiseinhereternalidea,intheomniformimageshiningimpartible.

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Eckhartsaid,TherearepeopleuponearththatbearourLordinspiritashismotherdidinflesh.

Theyaskedhimwhothesewere?Heanswered.Theybeingfreefromthingsdoseeinthemirroroftruthwheretotheyaregottenallunknowing;onearth,theirdwellingisinheavenandtheyarcatpeace;theygoaslittlechildren.

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MeisterEckhartsaid.Bettertomymindisthemanwhointhecauseofcharitywilllendhimselftotakingdoleofbreadthanhewhogivesanhundredmarksforcharity.HowdoImakethatout?Iarguethus.Doctorsagreethathonourisoffarmoreworththantemporalgoods.Nowhewhogivesanhundredmar^Lsforcharitygetsbackinpraiseandhonourmorethanhishundredmarks’worth.Thehandhestretchesforthwithgiftscollectsbothmoreandbetterthanitgave.Butthebeggarreachingouthishandforbreadisbarteringhishonour;thegiverbuyshonourbutthetakersellsit.

AnotherthingadvantagesthebeggarwhoreceivesoverthedonorofthehundredmarkstoGod:thegivergloriesinandgratifieshisnature*,thebeggarissubduinghisandfloutingit;thegiverismademuchofforhisgifts,thebeggarscornedandshunnedfo^takingthem.

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MeisterEckhartsaid,IneveraskGodtogivehimselftome:Ibegofhimtopurify,toempty,me.IfIamempty,Godofhisverynatureisobligedtogivehimselftometofillme.

Howtobepure?Bysteadfastlongingfortheonegood,Godtowit.Howtoacquirethislonging?Byself-denialanddisliketocreatures;self-knowledgeisthewayforcreaturesareallnaught,theycometonaughtwithlamentationandbitterness.

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Godbeinginhimselfpuregoodcannowheredwellexceptinthepuresoul:heoverflowsintoher,wholeheflowsintoher.Whatdoesemptinessmean?Itmeansaturningfromcreatures:theheartupliftedtotheperfectgoodsothatcreaturesarenocomfortnoristhereanywantofthemsaveinasmuchastheperfectgood,Godnamely,istobegraspedtherein.Thecleareyetoleratesthemotenomorethandoesthepuresoulaughtthatclouds,thatcomesbetween.CreaturesassheenjoysthemareallpureforsheenjoyscreaturesinGodandGodincreatures.Sheissolimpidsheseesthroughherself;norisGodfartoseek:shefindshiminherselfwheninhernaturalpuritysheflowsintothesupernaturalpureGodheadwheresheisinGodandGodinherandwhatshedoesshedoesinGodandGoddoesitinher.

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MeisterEckhartsaid,Todiethedeathinloveandknowledge,kthatismorenobleandmoreworththanallthegoodworksputItogetherthatholyChristendomhasdoneinloveandknowledgefromitsbeginninguntilnowandevershalldotillthejudgmentday.Thesedobutservetobringthisdcatliabout,thisdeathwhereinspringslifeeternal.

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MeisterEckhartsays,WefailtogetourwaywithGodbecausewelacktwothings:profoundhumilityandatellingwill.UponmylifeIswearthatGodinhisdivinityiscapableofallthingsbutthishecannotdo,hecannotleaveunsatisfiedthesoulwiththesetwothings.Whereforevexnotyourselveswithtrivialities;yewerenotmadefortrivialthingsandthegloryoftheworldisbutatravestyoftruth,onlyaheresyofhappiness.

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MeisterEckhartbeingquestionedastoGod’sgreatestgifttohimanswered.Therearethree.First,cessationofcarnaldesiresandpleasures.Secondly,divinelightenlightensmeineverythingIdo.Thirdly,dailyIgrowandamrenewedinvirtue,graceandhappiness.

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MeisterEckhartsays,Loftyaimisloftynature.Thevisionof.Godisahighendeavour,Isay,Godisomnipotent,butheispowerlesstothwartthemanofmeekandmightyaspiration,andanyfailureonmysidetogetmywaywithGodisduetolackeitherofwillormeekness.

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MeisterEckhartsays.AsamangetstobelikeGodandGodgetsdearenoughforhimtodisregardhimselfandnotseekwhatishisintimeorineternity,heisreleasedfromallhissinsandpurgatorialpains,yeathoughhehavecommittedeverysinonearth.Andthislifeisattainablewhileyetheeatsanddrinks.Furtherhedeclares,TobetheheavenlyFather’sSonwemustbestrangerstotheworld,remotefromself,pure-hearted,inwardminded.

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OnoneoccasionBrotherEckhartsaid,FivethingstherebewhichinwhomsoeverhasthemaresuresignthathewillneverlapsefromGod.First,thoughmostgrievousthingsbefallthismanfromGodorcreature,neveramurmurdoeshemake:nowordbutpraiseandthanksiseverheard.Again,atthemosttryingtimesheneversaysonewordinhisexcuse.Thirdly,thismandesiresofGodwhatGodwillfreelygiveandnothingelse:heleavesitalltohim.Fourthly,nothinginheavenorearthcanrufflehim:sosettledishiscalmthatheavenandearthintopsy-turveydomwouldleavehimquitecontentinGod.Fifth,nothinginheavenorearthcancheerhim;forhavingreachedthepointwherenaughtinheavenorearthcansaddenhimsoneithercanitgladdenhim,exceptastriflescan.

AmanremoteandfarfromhisownselfasthechiefangeloftheSeraphimfromhim,wouldhavethatangelforhisownasheisGodJsandGodishis.Andthatisthebaretruth,asGodisGod.

StPaulsays:‘ThewholeworldisthecrosstomeandIthecrosstoyou.’

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.SaidMeisterEckhartthepreacher.Thereisnogreatervalour[nornosternerfightthanthatforself-effacement,self-oblivion.

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BrotherEckhartsaid,Notallsufferingisrewarded;onlywhatischeerfullyconsentedto.Amanhangedonthegallows,sufferingunwillingly,werebetterpleasedthatithadbeenanother.Thereisnorewardforthat.Othersufferingsthesame.Itisnotthesufferingthatcounts,itisthevirtue.—Isay,tohimwhosuffersnotforlovetosufferissufferingandishardtobear.ButonewhosuffersforlovesuffersnotandhissufferingisfruitfulinGod’ssight.

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AccordingtoMeisterEckhart^Everysign,everyholiness,everyperfectionpossibletocreatureourLadyhadparexcellence.Totakeherholiness,itwassoprodigiousthatourLadyneversinned.Ofsigns,again,shehadthechiefone,thatofbeingGod’smother;albeitourtheologiansdocontendthatourLadywasfarhappierunitingGodtoGodheadthanshewasingivingcarnalbirthtoGod.AstotheoverfullnessourLadygotfromdeity,shewasworthyofit,bearingasshedidGodintheflesh.Soulover-brimminglikethisoverflowsintothebodyandmakesthebodylikeit,thusshewasGod’scarnalmother.Accordinglysomedoctorsdoaffirmthatmentalconceptstelluponthebodymorethanphysiciansdowithalltheirdrugs.Godisneverbornexceptinsoulswhichhaveputcreaturesundertheirfeet.Ourphilo-sopherssay,Perfectrestisfreedomfromallmotion.

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OnStPeter’swords,‘Wehaveabandonedallthings,’MeisterEckhartcommentsthus:Thouhastwellsaid,forladenthoucouldstnotfollowhim.Itisnoprofitlessexchange,givingupallforGod:byhimallthingsaregivenandhavinggottenhimhestandsinlieuofall.

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MeisterEckhartsaid.WhatourLorddidwasdonewiththisintent,andthisalone,thathemightbewithusandwewithhim.

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BrotherEckhartpreachedsaying,StPetersaid,‘Wehaveleftallthings.’StJamessaid,‘Wehavegivenupallthings.’StJohnsaid,‘Wehavenothingleft.’WhereuponBrotherEckhartasks,Whendoweleaveallthings?Whenweleaveeverythingconceivable,everythingexpressible,everythingaudible,everythingvisible,thenandthenonlywegiveupallthings.Wheninthis^sensewegiveupallwegrowafloodwithlight,passingbrightwithGod.

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Hethatwouldbewhatheoughtmuststopbeingwhatheis.WhenGodmadetheangelsthefirstsighttheysawwasthatoftheFatherwiththeSonsproutingoutofhisFather’sheartlikeagreenshootoutofatree.Thisblissfulvisiontheyhavehadmorethansixthousandyearsandhowitcomestheywotaswell

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to-dayaswhentheywerefirstmade.Thisowingtotheirkeenperception;themoreweknowthelessweunderstand.

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IntheBookofWisdomitiswrit,‘AllmenarefoolsinwhomisnoknowledgeofGodformenaremortalwithoutGod.’WithoutdivinewisdomwearewithoutGk)dandtobewithoutGodistobewithouttruthforGoditiswhoinculcatesthetruth.NotbeinginGodmeansbeinginliesandwithoutwisdom.Onemaybeworldly-wisewithoutbeingGodly-wisebutthisisfollyinGod’ssight;wisdomwisdomless,morefoolishnessthanwisdom.Thequestionis,whohasthisheavenlywisdom?MeisterEckhartsays,HewhoindeepandrealhumilitysoyieldshimselftoGodthathiswilliswhollyGod’swillandGod’swillishis,assaithIsaiahtheprophet,GodteachestruewisdomtononebuttheJhumble.’AndintheBookofWisdomtooweread,‘Wherethereismeeknessthereistruewisdom.’AlsotheheathendoctorPtolemeussays,‘Amongwisementhehumblestarethewisest.’AccordingtoMeisterEekhart,withhumilitygoeslove:lowlinesswithoutloveisdeadindeedforthevirtuesarevirtueinvirtueoflove.

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—‘Andsoshallamanorderhislifeifhewouldbeperfect.’AnentthisMeisterEekhartsays.WorkswroughtfromwithinarepleasantbothtoGodandman;theyarebenignandlivingworks.TheyareGodworthyforhealoneitiswhodoesinmanworkswroughtfromwithin,assaiththeprophetIsaiah,‘Lordallourworksthouhastwroughtinus,’andChristtoosaid,‘MyFatherwhoisinmehedoeththatIdo.’Suchworksarebotheasyandpleasanttomanforalldeedsareagreeableandpleasanttomaninwhichbodyandsoulareharmonious.Thisisthecaseinalltheseworks.Again,theseworksarelivingworks:thedeadbeastdiffersfromthelivingoneinthatthedeadismovedfromoutsideonly;itmustbepulledorpushed,towit,anditsworksarealldeadworks.Thelivebeastmovesitselfwhere’eritwill;itsmotivepoweriswithinanditsworksarelivingyorks.Inthe|samewaythoseworksofmenwhichhavetheirsourcewithinjwhereGodmovesbyhimself,essentialproducts,theseareouriworks,divineworks,usefulworks.Butworkswhichcomefromsomeexternalcauseandnotfrominnerbeing,theseworksIsayaredead,theyarenotgodlyworksnoraretheyours.MeisterEckhartalsosays,Workswroughtfromwithinarewillingworks.Butthatwhichiswillingissweet,thereforeworksfromwithinareallpleasantwhereasworksduetoanyoutwardcauseare

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unwillingandslavishforweretherenothingmovingfromwithoutnoworkweredoneatall,sothatitisreluctant,menial,bitter.

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MeisterEekhartsaid,Nopersonx'^aninthislifereachthepointatwhichheisexcusedfromoutwardworks.Whatthoughoneleadthecontemplativelife,onecannotaltogetherkeepfromjflowingoutandminglinginthelifeofaction.Evenasamanwithoutagroatmaystillbegenerousinthewilltogive,whereasamanofmeansingivingnothingcannotbecalledgenerous,sonoonecanhavevirtueswithoutexercisingvirtueatthepropertimeandplace.Hencethosewholeadthecontemplativelifeanddonooutwardworks,aremostmistakenandallonthewrongtack.WhatIsayisthathewholivesthecontemplativelifemay,nayhemust,beabsolutelyfreefromoutwardworkswhattimeheisinactofcontemplationbutafterwardshisdutyliesindoingoub.vardworks;fornonecanlivethecontemplativelifewithoutal-reakandactivejifebridgesthegapsinthelifeofcontemplation.

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MeisterEekhartsaysandsodoothermasters,thattherearetwothingsinGod:essenceandregard,ix,relatio.Accordingtothesedoctors,notintheGodheaddoestheFatherbearhisSon;theFatherinhisessencedoesbutseeintohisnakedessencewherehediscernshimselfinallhispower:himselfbyhimself,withouttheSonandwithouttheHolyGhost;naughtseeshetherebuttheunityofhisownessence.ButtheFatherbeingmindedtoregardhimself,toreflectuponhimselfinanotherPerson,bythisactofretrospectionisbegettinghisSon;andbeingwellcontentedwithhimselfinthisregardandfindinghisreflectionmostdelightfulhemust,sincealljoyishiseternally,keeponlookingbacketernally.SotheSonisaseternalastheFather,andfromthemutuallikingandthelovebetwixttheFatherandtheSontherecomestheHolyGhostandsincethislovebetweentheFatherandtheSonhasbeenforayethereforetheHolyGhostisaseternalastheFatherandtheSonandthesethreePersonshaveonesimpleessenceandaredistinctasPersonsonly:theFather’sPersonneverwastheSon’snortheHolyGhost’sPerson;allthreehaveeachtheirownPersonalbeittheyareoneinessence.

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MeisterEekhartsaysandsodoothermasters.Nomanhasanymeritapartfromhisintentionandthewhyofaman’saction/

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feivesthemeasureofhismerit,naughtbeside.Henceanyone^tending,anyonestriving,forsomethinglessthanGodisnotworthyofGodunlessastheloverofcreature,whateveritbe,inGod..God-lovershavenoguerdonbutGod;themGodrewardswithhimself.

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MeisterEckhartsays,andsodoothermasters,thatinthecourseofnatureitisreallythehigherwhichisevermorereadytopouritspoweroutintothelowerthanthelowerisreadytoreceiveit.Thehighestheaven,forinstance,isturningfarmorerapidlythantherestwhichrunagainstit.Howeverfastthelowerheavensraceagainsttheupper,inordertoreceivetheinfluxfromit,thehighestheavenwillgoharderstillbothastopaceandinflux.SoGodisvastlyquickertopourouthisgracethanmantotakeitin.ThereisnodearthofGodwithus;whatdearththereisiswhollyourswhomakenotreadytoreceivehisgrace.

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Thequestionis,Whendothepassionsperforceobeythemind?

(TheanswerMeisterEckhartgivesisthis.WhattimethemindisfixedonGodandthereabides,thesensesarcobedienttothemind.Asoneshouldhanganeedletoamagnetandthenanotherneedleontothat,untiltherearefourneedles,say,dependingfromthemagnet.Aslongasthefirstneedlestaysclingingtothemagnetalltheotherneedleswillkeepclingingontothatbutwhentheleaderdropstherestwillgoaswell.So,whilethemindkeeps«fixedonGodthesensesarcsubservienttoitbutifthemindshouldwanderofffromGodthepassionswillescapeandbeunruly.

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Whyisit,MeisterEckhartasks,thatpeoplearesoslowtolookforGodinearnest?Hiscommentis:Whenoneislookingforathingandfindsnotraceofitsexistenceonehuntshalf-heartedlyandindistress.Butlightingonsomevestigeofthequarry,thechasegrowslively,blitheandkeen.Themaninquestoffire,cheeredwhenhefeelstheheatlooksforitssourcewitheagernessandpleasure.AndsoitiswiththoseinquestofGod:feelingnoneofthesweetnessofGodtheygrowlistlessbutsensingthesweetnessofdivinitytheyblithelypursuetheirsearchforGod.

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MeisterEckhartasks.WhosearetheprayersGodalwayshears?AndMeisterEckhartanswers.WhoworshipsGodasGodGodhears.

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ButhewhoworshipsGodforworldlygoods,worshipsnotGk>d:heworshipswhatheworshipsGodforandemploysGodashisservantforthegettingofit.AsStAugustineputsit,‘Whatthoudostlovethoudostworship;trueprayer,realprayerisnothingbut^loving:whatonelovesthatoneprays^oV^'ffencenodiiepraysToGodarightbuthethatpraystoGodforGodwithoutathoughtofaughtbutGod,

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MeisterEckhartsaysandsodoothermasters,Whosowantsavirtueoughttoseekitatthesouree,inGodtowit,wherewefindallthevirtuesaddeduptovirtue.Themanwhofindsasinglevirtuethusdiseoverseveryvirtueintheoneand,attainingtotheunitywhereallvirtuesarevirtue,thesoulseesGodandGodlooksonthesoul.SouliscaressedbyGodwho,talkingwithherinfamiliarfashion,teaehesheruniversalwisdomandGodandmannowfullyreeonciled,manisthelordofeveryereature,ofallthegoodthingsthathaveflowedfromGod;asitiswrittenintheBookofWisdomwherethewisemansays,‘AllgoodhaveIgottenintheealone’:invirtuehave1gottenallthevirtues.

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AccordingtoMeisterEckhart,GodisnotonlytheFatherofallgoodthingsbutheisthemotherofallthingstoboot.HeisFatherforheisthecauseofallthingsandtheircreator.Heisthemotherofallthingsaswell,forwhencreatureshavegottentheirbeingfromhimhestillstayswithcreaturestokeeptheminbeing.IfGoddidnotremainwithcreaturesaftertheyhadstartedtheirownlifetheywouldmostspeedilyfalloutofbeing.FallingfromGodmeansfallingfrombeingintonothingness.Itisnotsowithothercauses,theycanwithsafetyquitthethingstheycausewhenthesehavegottenbeingoftheirown.Whenthehouseisinbeingitsbuildercandepartandforthereasonthatitisnotthebuilderalonethatmakesthehouse:thematerialsthereofhedrawsfromnature.ButGodprovidescreaturewiththewholeofwhatitis,withformaswellasmatter,soheisboundtostaywithitoritwillpromptlydropoutofexistence.

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MeisterEckhartsays,themanwhodoingsomegooddeeddoesitnotwhollyforGod’ssakeandwithoutanythoughtsaveGod,thatmandarkensGod’sglory.AllgoodworksareGod’s.HenceifamaninhisgoodworkharboursintenttowardsaughtbutGod

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hegivestheretothehonouroftheworkandrobsGodofhisgloryandallsuchworksaresterileandunfruitful.

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Thequestionis,Doesthevirtueofprayerincreasewiththeoutwardpracticeofit?MeisterEckhartsaysthattheexternalhabitaddslittleornothingtothevalueofprayer.Prayerisagoodthinginitself.Nowathingthatisgoodin.virtueofitsmuchnessisnotgoodinvirtueofitself.Onegroathaslittlevalueallalonebutifthouhadstathousandgroatsthatwereahandsomeproperty,solelybyreasonofthenumber.Groatshavesmallvalueinthemselvesapartfromnumber.Andsoitiswithoutwardpractices:numberaddslittletothegoodofprayer;oneAvecomingfreelyfromthehearthasgreaterpowerandvirtuethanathousandfromthelips.Andbythesametoken,novirtuedwellsinnumberofgoodworks;virtueiseverywhitasfine,asgood,inoneleastactofvirtuerightlydoneasinathousand.Virtueisnotenhancedbymultiplyingoutwardactsofvirtue,forwereitgoodfromnumberitwouldnotthenbegoodinitsownright.Athinggoodinitselfisgoodinitsonenessnotinitsmulti-plication.Truevirtuemeansvirtuousworkswroughtvirtuously.WhogivesanalmsinGod’snamebutgivesitgrudginglyandnotwithcheerfulheart,whatthoughhedoavirtuousdeed,hedoesnotdoitvirtuously.Andsowithprayeroranyothervirtue:donerightlyitisvirtuebutnotelse.Takepatienceforexample.Externalsufferingdoesnotmakeonepatient:itmerelytriesone’spatience,asfirewilltryapennywhetheritbeofsilverorofcopper.Thepa,tientmanispatientstillthoughoutwardsufferingn’erbefall.Andprayerthesame.ThemanofpureheartGodwardturnedwhoneverdoesastrokeofoutwardworkisnathclessingoodcaseforheartsarenotmadepurebyoutwardprayers:prayerrisespurefromoutpurehearts.

DoctorsdeclarethatGodmovesallthings,i.e.allcreatures,butcreaturescannotmoveGod.Godcanmovecreaturesforhehascreatedallcreaturesanditishewhokeepstheminexistence.ButcreaturescannotmoveGod:nocreaturecanaffectGod,accordingtotheuniversallawthatthelowerdoesnotflowintothehigher.NowcreaturesareinferiortoGodsotheydonotinfluenceGod,ergo,theydonotmoveGod.

InthisconnectionsomeenquirersaskhowGodcanmovecreaturesandnotbedefiledbycreatureswhicharefulloffault?Themastersanswer.If,aswesee,'^thesuncanshineonmireand

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filthwithoutcontaminationthenhowmuchmorecanGodprotecthimselffromanytaintofcreature.ButMeisterEckhartarguesinadifferentfashion.HesaysGodisinallthingsbutsoastobewhollyoutsidethings,hencefaultsincreatureswillnotaffectGod.Justasweseethesoulwholeintheeyeandatthesametimewholeoutsidetheeyeforsheiswholeineverylimb;noblemishoftheeyecantouchthesoulwhichisinsuchwisewhollyintheeyeastobeindependentoftheeye.EvensoGodincreatureiswhollywithoutcreature,untouchedanduntaintedbycreature.

ThereisanotheranswerMeisterEckhartgives:Godisonlyintheessence(orbeing)ofacreature.Hisargumentrunsthus.Esseneeiswithoutdefect,defectbeingnothingbutalapsefrombeing.NowseeingnodefectcantouchtheessenceandGodisonlyintheessenceofacreaturethereforeGodisunaffectedbythedefectsofcreature.RegardingthisamazingfactofdeityJohnChrysostomobserves:‘ThatGodisinallcreaturesweknowanddeclarebuthowandinwhatmannerwedonotunderstand.’YetMeisterEckhartsaysitisquiteplainifforthewordGodweputthewordbeing.Weseeandhaveabundantproofthatbeingisinallthings.ButifactualbeingisGoditfollowsthenthatGodmustbeinallthings.

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ThussaiththewisemanintheBookofWisdom,‘Eternalwisdomisomnipotentforitisone.’UponwhichMeisterEckhartcom-mentsthus.Thesimplerathingisthemorepowerfulandeffectiveitis.Wecandemonstrateitthus.Inathingmadeofpartsthepowerofthethingresidesinitsparts.Inahousemadeofwalls,foundationsandroof,thewholeforceofthehouseconsistsintheseparts.Ifthehousecouldbutdrawfromitsonenessthevirtueitgetsfromitswallsthenitneedhavenowalls.NowGodisthesimplestpossiblegoodwhereinallthingsareoneandasoneheisthereforeomnipotent.Again,theheathendoctorssaythatpowerdispersedisdissipated.Itissowiththemind.ScatteredinmultitudinouscreatureitissomuchmorefeebleandinfirmtowardGod.Butwhenthemindgetsridofcreatures,whenallthesensesvanishintomind,thenmindandpassionsbeingmetinonethemindisstrongenoughtowrestfromGodwhateveritdesires.WhenmandoeswhatisinhimnotevenGodcansayhimnay.

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InoneofhissermonsMeisterEckhartsaid.ItismyhumilitythatgivesGodhisdivinityandtheproofofitisthis.God’speculiarpropertyisgiving.ButGodcannotgiveifhehasnothingtoreceivehisgifts.NowImakemyselfreceptivetohisgiftsby

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myhumilitysoIbymyhumilitydomakeGodgiverandsincegivingisGod’sownpeculiarpropertyIdobymyhumilitygiveGodhisproperty.Thewould-begivermustneedsfindataker;withoutatakerhecannotbeagiverforitisthetakerbyhistakingthatmakesthemanagiver.SoGod,tobethegiver,mustdiscoverareceiver.NownonebutthehumblecanreceivethegiftofGod.SoGod,tousehisgodlikepowerofgiving,willekeneedmyhumility;withouthumilityhecannotgivemeaughtforIwithouthumilitycannotaccepthisgift.ThusitistruethatIbymyhumilitydogiveGodhisdivinity.

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MeisterEckhartalsosaid,MylowlinessraisesupGodandthelowerIhumblemyselfthehigherdoIexaltGodandthehigherIdoexaltGodthemoregentlyandsweetlyhepoursintomehisdivinegift,hisdivineinflux.Forthehighertheinflowingthingthemoreeasyandsmoothisitsflow.HowGodisraiseduponmylowlinessIarguethus:themoreIabaseandkeepmyselfdownthehigherGodtowersaboveme.Thedeeperthetroughthehigherthecrest.Injustthesameway,themoreIabaseand1humblemyselfthehigherGodgoesandthebetterandeasierhefpoursintomehisdivineinflux.SoitistruethatIexaltGodby'mylowliness.

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MeisterEckhartsays.WeoughtnottohavetoaskGodforhisgrace,hisdivinegoodness,weoughttocontrivetotakeitourselveswithor^tasking.Godhasgottenhimselfinhisdivineoutflowjustastheflowing....

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MeisterEckhartpointsouthowIsaiassays,‘Thylightiscometothee,thelightwhichiseternal,unchangeableandnewandinconceivable,freeandthineown;wellmaythyheartbothwonderandrejoice.’

Thequestionis,howisitlightifitisinconceivable?Howdoesitcomeifitisimmoveable?Howbecalledthineifitisfree?Ianswerfirst.ThatlightisGodwhichislightinitselfandwhichislightinallcreatedthingsandwhereinallcreaturesarelight.FortobeginwithIcontendthatlighthasthepeculiarpropertyofbeingclearandluminousinitselfandinothersrevelation.ButthisbelongsexclusivelytoGod.WhereforeIsaythelightinitselfisGod.Thesecondpointisarguedthus.IfeverythingcausedisamanifestationofthefirstcausethenlightofintellectinusissurelyGod;nomindcanseethenakedtruthinacreated

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lightfornothinggiveswhatithasnotgot.Augustinesays,*Ourmindcanonlyseethenakedtruthinlightwhichisperfectlysimpleandpure,God,towit.’Thethirdisprovedasfollows.IfcreatureislightandGodislight,ashasbeenshownbefore,thencreaturelybeingismerelyalightinlight-being.Butonelightinanotherproducesbutonelight,soitistrue.

—‘Talkingoflight,nowifsobethatinthislifeourmindscanseethenakedtruthbymeansofthelightthatisGod,thenitisalsotruethatmanmayhereseeGodandneedsmustitbetruewithalthatmanisherebeatified.*

Ianswerthat,albeithereamanmayseethetruthbymeansofthelightthatisGodnathelessheseesnotwhatGodis,usingthislightasameans.Isay,whatthoughheseeGodasheis,heisnotyetbeatifiedforGodasameansisgermanetocreature.Lookyou,Godbeatifiesnotasbeingthebeginning(whenheisofthenatureofallthings),notyetasbeingthemean(whereheisofthenatureofacreature),norevenastheend(forthenagainheisallthings),neitherdoeshebeatifyasbeingallofthesebuthebeatifiesjustinasmuchashetranscendsthemall;hebeatifiesasbeingGodimpartible,asbeingsimplypurelightinitself.

Ifthoushouldstask,‘Howishelight,beingincomprehensible?’Ianswer.Beingincomprehensiblethereforeheisthelight.Isay,moreover,incomprehensibilityisthelightnatureandthisisplain,forhisincomprehensibilitycomesfromhisunendingness.Buthisunendingnessisduetohissimplicity,tohispurity(orclarity),whichconstituteslightnessinGod.Itiswellsaidthen,Godislight.Butknow,thisvisionofthetruthinthedivinelightisgotteninnoschoolofcreatures,itislearntintheschoolofrenouncement,ofutterdetachmentfromcreatures,andforsuchloretheschoolisheaven,thebookthyemptyheart,eternitythyreading,thymentoruncreatedlightandtruththymentortoo.ThisDavidmeantwhenhedeclared,‘Lordinthylightshallweseethelight.’

Thentakethesecondquestion.Howdoeshecomewhoiswithoutmotionandhowdoeshecomewhoiswithoutplace?Towhomdoeshecomewhoisinallhearts?

Ianswer,Hedoesnotcomeasanythingatallnoryetasgainingsomethingforhimselfbuthecomesordering;hewhowashiddencomesandrevealshimself.Hecomesasthelightwhichlayconcealedinpeople’sheartsandintheirminds,nowtakingshapeinintellectandwillandinthedeepestbeingofthesoul.Heisintheinnermaninsuchawaythatthereisnaughtwithouthimandthereisnaughttherewithhim:heisthereallbyhimself.Hecomes,appearinginthemindandinthewill,nothingatallwithouthim,nothingatallwithhimbutmindandwillarefull

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ofhimalone.Thereseemsnothingwithhim,nothingwithouthim;themindisbuttheplaceofGod,aGodsteadtoitselfandnothingmore,asDavidsings,‘Lordthelightofthycountenanceisrisenuponus’asthoughtosay,Holdingthypeace,withsighingandwithruedothoubymeansofintellectturnthywillroundtofeelthecharmofGod.ConversewithhimasmantomanandasthoudostdiscoursewithGodinthefirstpersonandofGodinthethirdsodothoutalktoGodinthesecondPeriion.Forgettingeverything,awareofGodalone,sayuntohim,‘ThouartmyGod,thouonlyartwithin,thouonlyartallthings.’CreaturesarenotreceptivetoGod,exceptthosethataremadeintheimageofGod,likeangelsandman’ssoul:thesebeingGod-receptiveheisinthemandtheyinhim.ToothersGodisessential,notthattheyhavegottenhimbutsimplythattheyhavenobeingwithouthim.Notinvirtueofhispresencedotheyseehim,doessheseeGodinherinnermostdepth;norisitbyhispowerforheispowerlessapartfromher;butwecandonothingwithouthim.GodbeinginthesoulasinhimselfthereforethesouliscalledaplaceandsoulisalsocalledtheplaceofpeaceforwhereGodisasitwereinhimselfthereisthekingdomofheavenandpeaceuntroubled,joyousanddelightful.TheblestsoulisatrestinGodasinherown,andmoreso.

AmanwhohasgonecleanoutofhimselfstraightwayfindsGodinGodandGodwithGod.HebehaveslikehimforwhatheisheistoGodandwhatheistoGodGodistohim:GodbelongswhollytohimandiswhollyheandheiswhollyinGodandisdownrightGodtheybeingsoentirelythesame,onecannotbewithouttheother.

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ThesoulisnodifferentfromChristsavethatthesoulhasabornnatureandacreatednature.ThisChristhasnotinhiseternalPerson.Ifthesouldoffedherbornnatureandhercreatednatureshewouldbeallthesame,justessenceitself.Isay,putoffthycreature;itiseasytodoffthecreatureforthisisalabourofloveandthegreaterthepainthegreaterthejoy.

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IWhosohasthreethingsisbelovedofGod.Thefirstisriddancelofgoods;thesecond,offriends,andthethirdisriddanceofself.

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MeisterEckhartsaidthatintheessenceofthesoulwemaysurelyseeandknowGod.Andthecloseracquaintedoneisin

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thislifewiththesoulthecloseracquaintedwithGod.Theonlywayistoabandoncreatureandescapefromself.Ilarkee.LovecreatureasImayinGodnevercanIloveGodincreatureasperfectlyasinmyself.Thouhasttogooutofthyselfintothyselfagain;thereliesthehomeoftruthwhichnonemayfindwholooksforitinoutwardthings.MaryMagdalene,whensheleftcreaturesandbetookherselfintoherheart,foundthereourLord.Godisunmixedandpure:IcanfindGodthenonlyinthepure.Butmyinteriorsoulismoreundefiledandpurethananycreature;somybestchanceoffindingGodisdowninmyownsoul.AndekeIamthelifeinGodfor‘AllthatisintheFatheristhelifeinhim,’Johnsaid.InthisguisedoestheFatherbeartheSonandinthisselfsamebirthIdoproceedfromhim.NowhedeclarestheSontobeinhim,intheverydepthofhisheart.ButsinceallthatwasmadeinhimisthelifeinhimthereforeIamthislifeintheinnermostheartofGod.‘Andthelifewasthelightofmen,’saidJohn.Markyou,hesaysthedivinelightinusisourlightwhereinweseeallthingsconceivedinthemind,

Godisbeing,perfectbeing,withoutwhicharenobeings;forallbeingsarefromhisbeing.Maywebethissamebeing.SohelpusGod.Amen.

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AccordingtoMeisterEckhart,therearesevendegreesofcon-templation.Whosowouldpractisecontemplationlethimseekoutaquietspotandsethimselftothinking,first,hownoblehissoulis,howshehasflowedstraightoutofGod,athoughtthatfillshimwithagreatdelight.Havingwellcogitatedthis,•nextlethimthinkhowGodmustlovehissoultomakeitinthelikenessoftheTrinity,sothatallGodisbynaturehemaybebygrace;whereathewilldelightperforcemorevehementlystillforitisfarmorenobletobemadeintheformoftheTrinitythanmerelytocomestraightfromGod.—InthethirdstagehemeditatesthathehasbeenbelovedofGodforaye;theTrinityhasbeenforayeandGodhaslovedthesoulforaye.—Fourthly,hereflectsthatGoddideverchargehimtoenjoywithGodwhatGodhasayeenjoyedandalwaysshall,Godhimselfnamely.AtthefifthstagethesoulentersintoherselfandknowsGodinherself,whichhappensinthiswise:Nobeingcanbewithoutbeingandbeingfeedsonbeing;butbeingcannotliveuponthisfoodtillthisfoodisconvertedtothesameblessednatureasthatwhichfeedsuponitandthisappliestobeingwhichisbeing-of-itself.Butthereisnobeing-of-itselfexceptingGod,SomysoulislivingonnothingbutGod.AndbyenteringintooneselflikethisonefindsGodinoneself.IfGodwillthatIfaintnothemustgivemebeing.No

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beingcanstandwithoutGodsoifhemeansmetohavebeingtheiihemustgivemehimself.

Thesixthstageis,soulknowshersdfinGod.Asthus.Every-thinginGodisGod.NowmyideahasalwaysbeeninGod,isstillandevershallbe,thereforemysouliseveronewithGodandisGodandIdofindmyselfinGodintheexaltedfashionoibeingGodinGodeternally.Thisbringstheexpertsoulineffabledelight.

AttheseventhstagethesoulknowsGodinhimselfasbeingwithoutbeginningwhenceallthingsemanated.ThisgnosiscomestonomanfullyinthislifeforitmeansthebeholdingofGod.athingnotofthisworld.

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Mindyou,allourperfection,ourwholehappiness,dependsorourtraversingandtranscendingcreature,timeandstateandenteringthecausewhichiscauseless.

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Godwillnevergivehimselfopenlytothesoul...exceptshebringherhusband,herwholefreewill,towit.

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WhatthejoyoftheLordisnonecantell.Butmarkthismuchconcerningit.ThejoyoftheLordistheLordhimselfnoneelse,theLordbeinglive,essential,actualintellectwhictknowsitselfandisandlivesitselfinitselfandisthesame,Idcnoti^addleitwithanymode,nay,Idivestitofallmodeforhehimselfismodelessmodewhoisandisgladbecauseheis.ThisisthejoyoftheLordandistheLordhimself.W^hiteisnotblacknorisaughtnaught.Fromnaughtnaughtcanbetaken,FromaughtaughtcanbetakenanditiswhollythuswithGod,OfaughtthatiswhollyinGodnaughtremains.SouljoinedtoGodhasinhimonceforallallthatisatallinabsoluteperfection.Theresoulforgetsthingsandherself,assheisinherself,wakingupinGod,godlikeasGodinher,somuchinlovewithselfinhim,soindiscriminatelyonewithhim,sheenjoysnaughtbuthim,delightinginhim.Whatmoreshouldsheknowordesire?

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Godbeingstillsetseverythinggoing.Sodesirableathingstartsthemallrunningbackintothatfromwhencetheycame;tothatwhichstaysunchangedinitsownself;andthenoblerthethingthemoreblithelyitruns.

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GodcannomoreabidehislikesthanhecouldabidenotbeingGod.LikenessisnotathingthatcanbelongtoGod.ThereissamenessintheGodhead,ineternity;butlikenessisnotsameness.IfIamsameIamnotlike.Likenessisnoformofbeingintheone;thereissamenessformeintheunity,notlikeness.

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ThefirstworkofGodinthesoulisthebirthofhisSoninthesoulandfromthisacthisothergiftsdoflowintothesoul,asgraceandvirtue.WhatGodcandointhesoulistobringforthhisSoninthesoulandthismustneedsbe.ItischaracteristicofGodthathecannotrefrain,hemustbegethisSoninmeandinyouall.Isay,GodbegetsmehisSonandsosayIofyouallaswell.ThatweareallbornofGodhisSon,isnothingwonderful;wecanseethiswithcreatures.Nowmarkmywords,Isay,thismanisthenot;IamnotwhatyouareandyouarenotwhatIam.Suppressthenotandwearejustthesame;takenaughtfromcreaturesandcreaturesareallthesame.Theremainderisone.Whatisthisone?ItistheSontheFatherbears.TobetheactualSontheFatherbearswemustcancelthenaughtofcreatures.Thisnaughtwhichallcreaturesaree\imbersamanandstopshimbeingtheverySonbegottenoftheFather.GodbidsuspartwithnaughtsoastobetheselfsameSontheFatherbears.Forthismanmustbeone;hemustescapefromimagesandformserehecanbetheactualSontheFatherbringstobirth;hemustberidofeverything,notmerelyalienthings,butekehisown;forGod’sSonandman’ssonarenottwosons,theyareoneSon,onenature;soitbehovesamantofleefromothernaturesaswellasfromhisownandstandinthebarenatureoftheSonintheGodhead,inthatonly.WhatIsayisthatifoneistobetheactualSontheFatherbearsonemustgiveupownnaturealtogether.—‘Butmanypeoplehavenaturessoalientotheirown,howthencantheysurrendertheirownnature?’—WealwaysmustsurrenderourownnaturesinordertobecometheverySontheFatherbears.AsStPaulsays,‘WcmustbechangedintohisSon.’Inotherwords,theSonalonebeingbelovedoftheFather,what-everthingstheFatherloveshemustloveinhisSonandinas-muchaswebecomethisSontheFatherbearswedobechangedintohisSonofloveandarehisverySon.Ofthisbesure.Godwilllovetheminusandinallcreaturesintheguiseofhisalone-begottenSon.Providedweabandonnaught,becomeestrangedfromnaught.Wemustrelinquishallthings,mustforgetall

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things,keepingnothingbutthesinglenatureoftheSon.Itseemsagreatdealbutisnot.ItisasimplethingGodbidsusdo,hebidsusgiveupnaught.Whosoiswithoutwhyhasgivenupnaughtandbydoingthiswegainthewholeworldandabund-ance.Tothegoodmanallthingscome,besureofthat.IfIambetterthanyouare,allthegoodyoudoandwhatyouhaveisratherminethanyoursforwhatyouhaveyouhaveinnaught.ButifIhaveabandonednaughtIamtheverySontheFatherbearsandeverythingbelongstomeinGod.

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Whatcouldbesweeterthantohaveafriendwithwhom,aswiththyself,thoucanstdiscourseallthatisinthyheart?

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WhenGodmademantheinnermostheartoftheGodheadwasputintoman.

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WhatisGod’sspeaking?TheFatherregardinghimselfwithpureperceptionseesintohisownsimpleuncompoundedessenceandtheredescrysthewholeideaofcreature.Bydoingsohespeakshimself,hisWordbeingclearunderstandingandthisishisSon.

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Speakingofmanwcmeanaperson;speakingofmanhoodwemeanhumannature.

*•64

Doctorsdefinewhatnatureis.Itisthethingthatessencecantakeon.Godtookonmanhoodandnotman.Isay:Christwasthefirstman.Howso?Whatisfirstinintentionislastinexecution,astheroofisthefinishofthehouse.

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Theuppermostsoul-facehastwoacts.ByonesheknowsGod,hisgiftandhisemanation.ThereinshelovesGodtodayandknowshim,andnottomorrow.Theimageliesnotinthesepowersowingtotheirimpermanence.Thereisanotheractionoftheupperface,whichisconcealed.Intheconcealmentliestheimage.Fivethingsbelongtothisimage.First,itiscastbyanother.Secondly,itanswerstothatsame.Thirdly,itemanatestherefrom.Fourthly,itisliketheretoinnature;notthatitisGod’snaturebutitisasubstancewhichisself-sub-sistent;purelight-emanationfromGodanddifferingfromhim

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onlybythefactofknowingGod.Fifthly,ittendstowardstheexemplarwhenceitcame.Twothingsadornthisimage.Theone,itsbeingarrayedlikehim.Theother,itshavinginitasomewhatofeternity.Thesoulhasthreepowers.Notinthemliestheimage.Butsheownsasinglepower,namely,theactiveintellect.NowaccordingtoAugustineandtheNewPhilosophers,memory,understandingandwillarefoundhereintogether,norcanthesethreebetoldapart.ThisisthesecretimageansweringtoGod,Godshiningstraightintothisimage.

ItisGod’swillthatwebeholyandthatwedowhatmakesusholy.Holinessisamatterofwillandwisdom.Accordingtothebestauthoritiesholinessliesintheground,inthesummitofthesoul,wheresoulisinhercause,whereshehasoutgrownnamesandherownpowerswithal.Forpowerstooarethedefi-ciency.WecannotgiveanametoGod,norcanwenamethesoulinherownnature.Thepointwherethesetwainmeetisholiness.

Essenceissonobleitgivesbeingtoallthings.Weretherenoessenceangelswouldbelikestones.

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Alearneddoctorsaidononeoccasionwhenpreachinginthecapital,thattherewasonceaman,wereadofhiminholyscrip-ture,whowentafulleightyearsyearningforGodtoindicatesomepersonwhoshouldinstructhiminthewayoftruth.TheninamomentofvehementdesiretherecameavoicefromGodandsaid,‘Gettheetothetemple,thereshaltthoufindamantosettheeonthepathtotruth.’Andhewentandfoundabeggar,hisfeetallcrackedanddirty,hisragsscarceworththreepence.Hegreetedhim,‘Givetheegoodmorrow!’Heanswered,‘In’erhadabad.’—‘HownowI’quotha,‘Givetheegoodluck!’Heanswered,‘Ineverhadill.’Againheadventured,‘GodblesstheeIHowsaystthou.Sirrah,tothat?’Hesaid,‘Iwasneveraccursed.’—‘God’amercyI’hecried,‘unriddlemethis,Itrowitisbeyondme!’Saidhe,‘Iwill.ThoudostwishmegoodmorrowandIsayIne’erhadabad.HungryIpraiseGod;freezingIpraiseGod;poorandforsakenwithalIpraiseGodsoIneverhaveabadmorrow.Thoudostwishmegoodluck;Isay,Ihaveneverhadill.WhatsoeverGodgivesormaylayupforme,beitsourorsweet,goodorbad,IacceptallfromGodforthebestsoIhavenoillhap.ThoudostcalldownGod’sblessinguponme.Ianswer,Iamnotaccursed.IhavegivenmywilluptoGod’s,everywhit,sothatanythingGodwillsIwill.ThatiswhyIamneverunblessed,becauseIhavenowillbutGod’s.^—‘Marry,goodSir,supposeGodchosetocasttheeinto

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hell,whatwould^tthousaytothat?’—‘Tocastmeintohell?’quothhe,‘thatwouldspitehimself!YetifhecastmeintohellIshouldstillhavetwoarmstoclasphimwith.OnearmistruehumilityandthisIshouldputunderhim,embracinghimthewhilewiththeotherarmoflove.Better,’hesaid,‘tobeinhellwithGodthanbeinheavenwithouthim.’

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SaidMeisterEckharttoabeggar,‘Goodmorrow,brother.’‘ThesametoyouSir,butIneverhavebadones.’—‘Howso,brother?’heasked.—‘AllGodgivesmetobearIeheerfullysufferforhissakedeemingmyselfunworthy,soneveramIsadorsorry.’—‘WheredidstthoufindGodfirst?’heasked.—‘LeavingallcreaturesIfoundGod.’—‘WheredidstthouleaveGod,brother?’hesaid.—

‘Ineveryman’spureheart.’—‘Whatmannerofmanartthou,brother?’quothhe.—‘Iamaking,’hesaid.—‘Ofwhat?’hequeried.—‘Ofmyownflesh.WhatsoevermyspiritdesiresofGodmyfleshismoreeager,morereadytodoandtobearthanmymindtoaccept.’—‘Kingshavekingdoms,’hesaid:‘whereisthyrealm,brother?’—‘Inmyownsoul.’—‘Howso,brother?’heasked.—‘When,havinglockedthedoorsofmyfivesenses,

IamdesiringGodwithallmyheartthendoIfindGodinmysoulasclearlyandasjoyfulasheisinlifeeternal.’—Hesaid,‘Grantingtheeholy,whomadetheesobrother?’—‘SittingstillandthinkingdeepandkeepingcompanywithGodhasgottenmetoheaven,fornevercouldIrestinaughtinferiortoGod.NowhavingfoundhimIhavepeaceanddorejoiceeternallyinhimandthatismorethananytemporalkingship.Nooutwardacthoweverperfectbuthinderstheinteriorlife.’

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MeisterEckhartmetalovelynakedboy.Heaskedhimwhencehecame.Hesaid,‘IcomefromGod.’—‘Wherehastthoulefthim?’—‘Invirtuoushearts.’—‘Whitheraway?’—‘ToGod.’—‘Wherewiltthoufindhim?’—‘Leavingallcreatures.’—‘Whoartthou?’—‘Aking.’—‘Whereisthykingdom?’—‘Inmyownheart.’—‘Mindnoonesharesitwiththee.’—‘SoIdo.’Hetookhimtohiscellandsaid,‘Takeanycoatthouwilt.’—‘ThenIshouldbenoking’(saidhe),andvanished.

ItwasGk)dhimselfthathehadhadwithhimalittlespell.

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AdaughtercametotheDominicanconventaskingforMeisterEckhart.Theportersaid,‘WhoshallItellhim?’She,^SeealsoSpamer’aTextc,C,6.

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answered,‘Idonotknow.’—‘Whydoyounotknow?’heenquired.—‘Because,’shesaid,‘Iamnoteithervirginor[Spouse,notmannorwifenorwidownorladynorlordnorwenchnorthrall.’TheporterwentofftoMeisterEckhart.‘Docomeout,’h^said,‘tothestrangestwightthateverIheardandletmecometooandyouputyourheadoutandsay,‘Whoisaskingforme?’Hedidso.Shesaidtohimwhatshehadsaidtotheporter.Quothhe,‘Mychild,thouhastashrewdandreadytongue,Ipritheenowthymeaning?’—‘AnIwerevirgin,’shereplied,‘Iwereinmyfirstinnocence;spouse,IwerebearingtheeternalWordwithinmysoulunceasingly;wereIamanIshouldgrapplewithmyfaults;wife,shouldbefaithfultomyhusband.WereIawidowIshouldbeeveryearningformyoneandonlylove;asladyIshouldrenderfearfulhomage;aswenchIshouldbelivinginmeekservitudetoGodandtoallcreaturesandasthrallIshouldbeworkinghard,doingmybesttamelytoservemyMaster.OfallthesethingsIamnosingleonewhoamtheonethingastheotherrunningthither.’Thedoctorwentawayandtoldhisstudents,‘IhavebeenlisteningtothemostperfectpersonIweenIevermet.’

Thisfragmentisentitled,‘MeisterEckhart’sDaughter.’

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MeisterEckharttellshowonceuponatimetherecameabeggartoCologneonRhineinquestofpovertyandthelifeoftruth.Accostedhimanobledame,‘Eatwithme,brother,ofGod’scharity!’—‘Gladly,’quothhe.Whentheywereseatedsheencouragedhim,‘Eatheartily,benotashamed.’—‘’Tiswrong,*hesaid,‘toeattoomuch,toeattoolittleiswrongtoo;thejustmeanliesbetween:Iwilleatasabeggar.’—‘Whatisabeggar?’sheasked.—^Hesaid,‘Itmeansthreethings.First,beingdeadtonaturalthings.Next,nothavinginordinatedesireofposses-sions.Thirdly,begrudgingsufferingtoeveryoneexceptoneself.’—‘Tellme,’shequestioned,‘whatispovertyoftheinnerman?’—‘Thatalsomeansthreethings,’hesaid.‘First,completedetachmentfromcreatures,whicharcoutofGod,intimeandineternity.Secondly,abjecthumilityoftheoutwardandtheinwardman.Thirdly,anactiveinteriorlife;themindun-ceasinglywroughtuptoGod.’—‘Whatispovertyofspirit?’sheasked.—‘Youwanttoknowtoomuch,’hesaid.—‘Icanneverknowtoomuch,’saidshe,‘ofGod’sgloryandman’shappiness.’—‘True,’hereturned.‘Thatagainmeansthreethings.First,

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notknowingaughtbutGodintimeandineternity.Secondly,notseekingGodoutsideoneself.Thirdly,notowninganypro-pertythatoneconveysfromplacetoplace.’—‘ButsurelyMeisterEckhart,ourfather,mustgetfromouthiscellthesermonshepreachesfromhispulpit?’—‘Nothe,*hesaid.—‘Whencethen?/(sheasked).—‘Themoretemporalthemorepersonal,themorepersonalthemoretemporal.*—‘Itrow,*shesaid,‘thisguestisnotoutofBohemia.’^Quothhe,‘ThesunthatshineshereinCologneisshiningalsointhetownofPrague.’—‘Explain,^shebegged.Hesaid,‘’TisnotmyplacewithMeisterEckhartpresent.’MeisterEckhartsaid,‘Hewhoknowsnothingofthetruthfromwithin,ifhewooitwithoutshallfindittoowithin.*—‘Thereckoningispaid,’shecried.Andhe:‘Lady,youfurnishthewine.*—‘Iamnotloath,*sheanswered,‘anyouaskme.’

(SoMeisterEckhartaskedher),‘Whereindowedivinethework-ingoftheHolyGhostwithinoursouls?*Sheanswered,‘Inthreethings.First,inthewaningdaybydayofpersonalthings,desiresandnaturallove.Next,inthewaxingofdivineloveandofgracefromdaytoday.Last,intheeagercharitywhichmovesustobestirourselvesonourfellow-man’sbehalfbeforeourown.’Quothhe,‘OurLord’sfriendsproveit.*Anonheasked,‘HowdoesthespiritualmandivineGod’spresenceathisorisonsorexercises?’Sheanswered,‘Bythreethings.First,bytheobjecthesetsbeforehischosen,worldscornandbodysuffering,towit.Next,byagrowthingracecommensuratewiththelovebetwixthimselfandGod.Thethirdoneisth^itGoddoesneverleavehimwithouthintofsomefreshtruth.’—‘Thatis,ofcourse,thecase,’hesaid.‘Nowtellme,howdoesheknowifwhathedoesiswhollyinaccord-ance♦withthesovranwillofGod?*Sheanswered,‘Bythreethings.First,clearconsciousnessneverfailshim.Secondly,hehasunionwithGodwithoutbreak.Thirdly,theheavenlyFatherkeepsgivinghisSonbirthinhim,ininspiration.’QuothMeisterEckhart,‘Wereeveryreckoningaswellpaidasthisoneforthewinethere’smanyasoulinpurgatorywouldtliisdaybeinlifeeternal.*Whereonthemendicantchimedin,‘WhatmoreremainsitistheDoctor’sturntopay.*—‘Leavetheoldtotheirage,’pro-testedMeisterEckhart.—‘Thenloveshallsettleit,’thebeggarsaid,‘thatneverfaileth.’

Quoththelady,‘Pritheefather,howdoesoneknowoneselftheheavenlyFather’schild?’Heanswered,‘Bythreethings.First,onedoeseverythingforlove.Next,onetakeseverythingthesamefromGo^.Thirdly,onehasnohopeinanyonebutGod.*

^*B&heim(Bohemia)Iinterpretthus:Mstandsforheatua;heim,domuaorhouseistobeinterpretedasownhouseorfixedabode'WilhelmvonWenden.

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Quoththebeggar,‘Pritheefather,howarewetotellifvirtueisdoingherperfectworkinus?’Heanswered,‘Bythreethings,loveofGodforGod’ssake,goodforgood’ssake,truthfortruth’ssake.’

QuoththeDoctor,‘Mychildren,howlivestheteacherofthetruth?’Theladysaid,‘Hepractiseswhathepreaches.’Thebeggarcried,‘Agreed.Butthetruthinhisheartnowordscansay.’

AstheeternalWordisthebirthoftheheavenlyFather,soisthewillofGodthebirthandthebecomingofallcreatures.

THISISMEISTERECKHART’SFEAST