PART I: SPECULATIVE

CONTEMPLATION
PROLOGUE: WHAT MYSTICISM IS 3
Three aspects of the writings of the mystics Mysticism and Contem- plation The mystics' claim Pseudo-Dionysius Richard of St Victor St Thomas Aquinas 'Cloud of Unknowing' Ruysbroeck Blosius St John of the Cross St Francis of Sales Fr Baker Pascal Mother Isabel The great problem of mysticism: the truth of the claim.
i. ST. AUGUSTINE
INTRODUCTORY GENERAL SKETCH 19
St Augustine, the prince of mystics Himself the refutation of popular misconceptions.
'ENARRATION* ON PSALM XLI 20
A statement of mystical theology Formulation of doctrine.
(A) PRELIMINARY PHASES 27 Remote preparation: purgation Proximate preparation: recollection, introversion.
(B) AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PASSAGES 31 Confessions, vii. 16, 23; ix. 23, 24, 25 A search for the Unchangeable.
(C) THE ACT OF CONTEMPLATION 34 The Object contemplated Ultimate Reality The Unchangeable Truth Light.
EXCURSUS ON ST AUGUSTINE'S IDEOLOGY 3^
Theory of vision: corporal, imaginary, intellectual Objects of in- tellectual vision the Platonic Ideas Seen in the Light of God Truth perceived in the Truth which is God Theory of Divine illumination.
IX CONTENTS
PAGE
(D) MYSTICISM OR PLATONISM 40
Which is it? Answer: it is full religious mysticism God the Object of the contemplation The mystic union Rapturous joy Transiency of the experience Effects.
(E) PSYCHO-PHYSICAL PHENOMENA: ECSTASY 50
Physical side of ecstasy Religious side What takes place during it Intellectual ecstasy In it is seen the Light which is God.
(F) THE VISION OF GOD 55
Moses* vision of God He saw God's Essence So did St Paul St Thomas follows St Augustine Did St Augustine believe he had him- self enjoyed this vision? The mystic experience not usually such as this.
2. ST GREGORY THE GREAT
INTRODUCTORY GENERAL SKETCH 65
HOMILY ON EZECHIEL n. ii. 66
Exposition of St Gregory's mind on whole subject.
(A) PRELIMINARY PHASES 68 Purgation Recollection Introversion Contemplation.
(B) AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PASSAGES 71 Descriptions of contemplations.
(C, D) THE ACT OF CONTEMPLATION 76
Truth and Light 'Chink of contemplation' God the Object Fer- vour and joy Transiency Effects.
(E) PSYCHO-PHYSICAL PHENOMENA: ECSTASY 83
St Gregory's language examined No reference to phenomena of rapture and trance St Benedicts vision.
(F) THE VISION OF GOD 87
God's Essence not seen in this life God seen as through a mist Moses' vision Nature of St Benedict's vision.
3. ST BERNARD
INTRODUCTORY GENERAL SKETCH 94
St Bernard's imagery The Bride and Bridegroom.
(A) PRELIMINARY PHASES 98 Purgation Recollection Introversion Devotion.
(B) AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PASSAGE 100 Bernard's description of his mystic experience.
(C) THE ACT OF CONTEMPLATION 102
Contemplation of the heart Contemplation of the intellect Tran- siency Effects Transformation* 'Deification* 'Nuptials.'
CONTENTS Ixi
(D) SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE: UNION no
Early Christian symbolism Bernard's portrayal of the spiritual mar- riage Safeguard against Pantheism.
(E) PSYCHO-PHYSICAL CONCOMITANTS 115
St Bernard's language examined Evidence in regard to ecstasy, rapture, and bodily phenomena: little such Evidence in regard to visions, locutions, revelations: none such.
(F) THE VISION OF GOD 119 God not seen as He is in this life St Benedict's vision.
4. SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF WESTERN MYSTICISM 123
It is (i) pre-Dionysian (2) Pre-scholastic (3) Without visions and revelations (4) Without physical rapture (5) Without psycho- physical concomitants (6) Without haunting fear of diabolical delusion It is a mysticism purely and solely religious, objective, empirical Mysticism independent of philosophy Not the privilege of the intellectual St Gregory's mysticism held sway through Middle Ages till 1150 Thougn"cTuTtivated in Benedictine circles, not speci- fically 'Benedictine Mysticism', but 'Western' Dangers of mysticism This type safe Formerly contemplation regarded as natural issue of a spiritual life This idea obscured in modern times, but reasserting itself.
EPILOGUE
THE VALIDITY OF THE MYSTICS* CLAIM 135
The outstanding problem of mysticism: Is the claim of the mystics valid? Claims of union with divinity a very common religious phenomenon Nearly always illusion Mystics in bad company Is their witness such as to impose itself? Writer holds it is 3 Attitude of modern psychologist Certain preliminary considerations (i) Claim of the mystics in light of theology (2) In light of psychology The apex or 'ground' of the soul (3) Supernatural character of mystical experience Is it miraculous (4) Character of the great mystics as witnesses (5) Quality of the content of the experience (6) Its effect on life and character St John of the Cross taken as the spokesman of the mystics in setting forth the claim Catena of passages from his writings Final question: Is this the language of illusion?