The Insurmountable Darkness of Love: Mysticism, Loss, and the Common Life

The book explores how a sustained, critical attention to apophatic spiritual traditions can help us respond to the gaps, silences, and empty places that have become a prominent feature of contemporary experience. It argues that our experience of contemplative spiritual practice can be revitalized by attending more carefully to the darkness that often surrounds and courses through it, not only as part of personal practice but also as part of the shared work of recovering and deepening what the Christian mystical tradition often refers to as the common life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The primary aim of this book is to delve into the profound and multifaceted concept of darkness within mystical and contemplative thought and practice, particularly as the foundation and source of love. It explores how a sustained and critical exploration of apophatic spiritual traditions can aid us in responding to the gaps, silences, and empty spaces that have become increasingly prominent in contemporary experiences. Contemplative practice rooted in unknowing manifests a profound reverence for the unsayable, yet also finds expression in a rich and diverse poetry of darkness that delicately captures the essence of loss and absence with great grace, courage, and depth.

This book examines how the critical retrieval of this poetry, particularly from the ancient Christian traditions of the via negativa, can help us engage and respond to our own experiences of loss and absence. It argues that our engagement with contemplative spiritual practice can be revitalized by paying closer attention to the darkness that often surrounds and permeates it, not only as a personal practice but also as a shared endeavor in recovering and deepening what the Christian mystical tradition often refers to as the common life. Or, as the thirteenth-century Flemish mystic Hadewijch of Antwerp aptly describes, the insurmountable darkness of love.

In the chapters that follow, we will explore the various dimensions of darkness, including its psychological, spiritual, and cultural aspects. We will examine how the tradition of apophatic spirituality offers a unique perspective on darkness, emphasizing its transformative power and the potential for spiritual growth that it holds. We will also consider the role of poetry in capturing the essence of darkness and its profound impact on our lives.

Through this exploration, we hope to shed light on the ways in which darkness can be embraced as a catalyst for transformation and growth, rather than being feared or avoided. We will explore the ways in which contemplative practice can help us navigate the complexities of loss and absence, fostering a deeper sense of connection to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Ultimately, this book seeks to provide a roadmap for those seeking to deepen their understanding of darkness and its role in contemplative spiritual practice. It offers a wealth of insights and resources that can help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise in our lives, and cultivate a deeper sense of love, compassion, and wisdom.

Weight: 578g
Dimension: 242 x 162 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190885168