Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead

It should be stated at the outset that I find Meister Eckhart to be the mystic writer who interests me most and I was pleased to discover the great influence he received from this great writer. Mechthild of Magdeburg (1207-1282) was among the most profound of mystic writers who presented strongly feminine images of mysticism in exquisite poetry to God. Mechthild had no formal education or training in theology but, being from a noble family, she was exposed to courtly literature. In her early 20's she left her comfortable life for that of a Beguine. When she was in her 40's she decided to write down what she had received. Mechtild use the genres that were familiar to her - courtly love poetry and prose. As a Beguine she was seeking to live the way of the early Church. Although Mechtild maintained a Catholic world view regarding the fate of pagans, the place of Jews and role of the Saints, she also felt compelled to criticise the lack of spiritual hunger and corruption in the Church, and in the world. Her writings brought her under suspicion and criticism from the Church. Mechtild revealed the basis for detachment, the concept of the ground of the soul, the idea of the Mother God, the truth regarding transcending sin, the reality of the immanence of God and the importance of visions/dream as communications from God. These themes where later mined by Meister Eckhart. Mechtild of Magdeburg provided Eckhart with the foundation for his spiritual method.

Metchild of Magdeburg was a beguine, a member of a lay group of women who in the medieval period desired a closer relationship with God than through the Church. The beguines produced many famous male and female mystics, especially female mystics. This was possibly because beguines were more loosely associated with the established church and had more freedom to express their mystical ideas. Metchild is a mystic of love, in the sense her mystical experiences were strongly focused around the intimate union of the soul with Jesus. Metchild describes several estatic experiences of this union in poems and other writing, as well as the stages leading to this state of conciousness. At times the language seems erotic, though Metchild never degrades the mystical union to mere pornography. She is clearly a literature woman, and like other mystics of loving union, often borrows motifs from the secular literature of the time. Metchild is somewhat more careful in her use of language than the burned heretic, Margaret Porete. While perhaps the theologically orthodox still might have many misgivings about the possibility of uniting with God mystically, I feel with Metchild we are on fairly safe ground, and anyone interested in Christian spirituality can learn from her. She is also a valuable female voice in a tradition in the Church which like so many others, has historically been mainly the domain of men. Women will find it refreshing the female perspective on mysticism is given quite well in Porete.

To know God as God knows us. To love God as God loves us. The yearning of God for our soul as our soul yearns for God, complete with metaphors so intimate and so tender it makes one's heart ache: this is the work of a medieval mystic; an understanding of God of gothic proportions. This is the work of 12th century Mechthild of Magdeburg. This is The Flowing of the Godhead.

I was first introduced to Mechthild in a course of Women Mystics and resonated with her immediately. Her writing style is such that either you like her or you can't relate. She says at the beginning of the book that you need to read it nine times to understand it. I plan to do just that because I like reading her words just that much. Read the pages online before you put out the cash for this book but if you find that you can relate you won't be sorry for adding her to your library.

The images Mechthild presents to the reader in wtritten words took my mind,heart and imagination to such beautiful spiritual hieghts, that I am still savoring the richness her revelations has brought to my soul. RRead at your liesure and absorb in contentment and spiritual pleasure....... Father Gregory Martin, Spiritual Director of the Holy Order of the Holy Ghost.