(1260 – c. 1328).
Commonly known as Meister Eckhart (pronounced, Master Eckhart or Eckehart, claimed original name Johannes Eckhart, German Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher and mystic. He was born near Gotha in the Landgraviate of Thuringia (now Thuringia in central Germany) in the Holy Roman Empire.
Meister Eckhart (1366). Photo:wikipedia.org
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you’, it will be enough.
Photo: Mastering The Art Of Life
God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning 📚: This quote indicates a mystical approach to the divine. Rather than seeking God by accumulating more knowledge, rituals, possessions, or even virtues, it suggests that the path to God lies in letting go and removing everything that is not essential. “Adding anything”: This refers to man’s attempts to reach God through external means, concepts, images, or earthly desires. These can be material things, but also mental constructions or even spiritual exercises that do not get to the core. “Process of subtraction”: This implies an inner purification. It’s about stripping away everything that separates us from the pure essence of God within ourselves. This can mean: Letting go of ego, identity and self-centeredness. Transcending earthly desires and attachments. Getting rid of preconceived ideas about who God is. Reaching a state of emptiness or not-knowing in which the true nature of God can reveal itself. The idea is that God is already present in the soul, but is overshadowed by ‘additions’. Removing these ‘additions’ reveals the inherent divine presence. 🌟Origin and Author: Meister Eckhart. Meister Eckhart (c. 1260 – c. 1328) was a German theologian, philosopher and mystic. He was a Dominican friar whose work had a profound influence on Western mysticism. Context: Eckhart’s teachings often focused on the “ground” or “spark” of the soul, a place where the soul is in direct contact with God, beyond all created things and concepts. His sermons and tracts emphasize the importance of resignation (Abgeschiedenheit) and poverty of the spirit (Armut im Geist), which amounts precisely to this “process of subtraction”. By detaching yourself from everything – including your own will, thoughts and images of God – you create space for the immediate experience of God. Although the exact formulation “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction” may be a modern translation or paraphrase, it perfectly captures the essence of Eckhart’s teaching. Many of his writings convey this message, albeit in more complex theological language. Conclusion: It is very likely that this quote, or its core, comes from Meister Eckhart and his mystical philosophy about the immanence of God in the soul and the path of emptying to experience God. Imagine letting go of everything you think you are or need, in order to get to the core of your being.
Door Pieter
Mensenmens, zoon, echtgenoot, vader, opa.
Spiritueel, echter niet religieus.
Ik hou van golf, wandelen, lezen en de natuur in veel opzichten.
Onderzoeker, nieuwsgierig, geen fan van de mainstream media (MSM).
