81-519: Eckhart may be: People with the surname Eckhart [ edit ] Meister Eckhart ( c. 1260 – c. 1328 ), German theologian Johann Georg von Eckhart (1664–1730), German historian and linguist Dietrich Eckart (1868–1923), German journalist and political activist Aaron Eckhart (born 1968), American film actor Lisa Eckhart (born 1992), Austrian comedian and slam poet Other [ edit ] Eckhart Tolle (born 1948)
162-440: A christian framework. Heinrich Denifle protested against the new popularity of Eckhart in the late nineteen hundreds , and defended the condemnation of Eckhart by the inquisition. In the 20th century , Eckhart remained popular with the common people. He also found even more support with Anti- dogmatist and some theologists who disagreed with Denifle and valued Eckhart's free thinking. Eckhart's works also found supporters in
243-453: A heretic by Pope John XXII with the bull In Agro Dominico of March 27, 1329. In the trial, excerpts of his Book of Divine Consolation were used against Eckhart. He seems to have died before his verdict was received. He was well known for his work with pious lay groups such as the Friends of God and was succeeded by his more circumspect disciples Johannes Tauler and Henry Suso ,
324-520: A Country Path," Martin Heidegger develops his concept of Gelassenheit, or releasement, from Meister Eckhart. Ian Moore argues "that Heidegger consulted Eckhart again and again throughout his career to develop or support his own thought.". The French philosopher Jacques Derrida distinguishes Eckhart's Negative Theology from his own concept of différance although John D. Caputo in his influential The Tears and Prayers of Jacques Derrida emphasises
405-479: A correspondent of Radcliffe, wrote in a defence of Eckhart to Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI ), stating: Only 28 propositions were censured, but they were taken out of their context and impossible to verify, since there were no manuscripts in Avignon. Eckhart was schooled in medieval scholasticism and was well-acquainted with Aristotelianism and Augustinianism . The Neo-Platonism of Pseudo-Dionysius
486-653: A full understanding of Eckhart. In 1923, Eckhart's Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defense (also known as the Rechtsfertigung , or "vindicatory document") was re-published. The Defense recorded Eckhart's responses against two of the Inquisitional proceedings brought against him at Cologne, and details of the circumstances of Eckhart's trial. The excerpts in the Defense from vernacular sermons and treatises described by Eckhart as his own, served to authenticate
567-645: A guide to the spiritual life like St Bonaventure’s Itinerarium – the Journey of the Soul," but that his ideas on this have to be condensed from his "couple of very short books on suffering and detachment" and sermons. According to Mills, Eckhart's comments on prayer are only about contemplative prayer and "detachment." According to Reiner Schürmann, four stages can be discerned in Eckhart's understanding mystical development: dissimilarity, similarity, identity, breakthrough. Eckhart
648-413: A man should be empty of self and all things; and secondly, that he should be reconstructed in the simple good that God is; and thirdly, that he should consider the great aristocracy which God has set up in the soul, such that by means of it man may wonderfully attain to God; and fourthly, of the purity of the divine nature. As Eckhart said in his trial defence, his sermons were meant to inspire in listeners
729-402: A man who has wine in his cellar but has never tasted it, he does not know that it is good. (Sermon 10, DW I 164.5–8) Whoever does not understand what I say, let him not burden his heart with it. For as long as a man is not like this truth, he will not understand what I say. For this is a truth beyond thought that comes immediately from the heart of God. (Sermon 52, DW II 506.1–3) Kurt Flasch ,
810-471: A member of the so-called Bochum-school of mediaeval philosophy, strongly reacted against the influence of New Age mysticism and "all kinds of emotional subjective mysticism", arguing for the need to free Eckhart from "the Mystical Flood". He sees Eckhart strictly as a philosopher. Flasch argues that the opposition between "mystic" and "scholastic" is not relevant because this mysticism (in Eckhart's context)
891-435: A number of sermons found in old editions of Johann Tauler 's sermons, published by Kachelouen (Leipzig, 1498) and by Adam Petri (Basel, 1521 and 1522). Interest in Eckhart's works was revived in the early nineteenth century, especially by German Romantics and Idealist philosophers. Franz Pfeiffer 's publication in 1857 of Eckhart's German sermons and treatises added greatly to this interest. Another important figure in
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#1732851141605972-501: A number of the vernacular works. Although questions remain about the authenticity of some vernacular works, there is no dispute about the genuine character of the Latin texts presented in the critical edition. Since the 1960s scholars have debated whether Eckhart should be called a "mystic". The philosopher Karl Albert had already argued that Eckhart had to be placed in the tradition of philosophical mysticism of Parmenides and Plato and
1053-433: A person could possibly become sad about. Hence, all reasons for sadness no longer make the person sad, as nothing can make goodness itself sad. The only reason people get sad in the first place is because they love worldly material things (including other people) too much and more than god. This is like wanting to own something that only god can own, which will inevitably lead to disappointment and sadness. The best way to live
1134-507: A person, and 3: harm coming directly to the person themselves, for example an illness. In the first main part the author reasons for how a good lifestyle frees a person of all sorrow and sadness. The main argument is that God is goodness , justice , virtue and all other positive characteristics. By becoming one with God and following Jesuses way, the believer internalises God and in that way becomes goodness, justice, etc. themself. All these virtues are above anything material that
1215-502: A surviving collection of Eckhart's Latin works. As Eckhart was the only medieval theologian tried before the Inquisition as a heretic, the subsequent (1329) condemnation of excerpts from his works cast a shadow over his reputation for some, but followers of Eckhart in the lay group Friends of God existed in communities across the region and carried on his ideas under the leadership of such priests as John Tauler and Henry Suso . Eckhart
1296-619: A teacher, which he was regularly between 1294 and 1327. The range of likely publication years makes it clear that Eckhart was already in an advanced stage of his career when he wrote the book, while it is not clear at what exact period Eckhart wrote the " Book of Divine Consolation ", it was at an advanced stage in his career in the Dominican order after he had experience as a teacher and religious authority. This could potentially have been during his time in Strasbourg as Vicar General . The book
1377-459: Is a German-born writer and public speaker living in Canada. Eckhart von Hochheim , aka Meister Eckhart , a German theologian and philosopher Mason Eckhart , a comic book character Eckhart (TV series) , a Canadian animated children's TV show Eckhart Branch Railroad , early short line railroad See also [ edit ] Eckart Eckert (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
1458-452: Is a test, and the people God loves the most get the most difficult lives, or being grateful to still have 60 pieces when you lost 40 out of 100 instead of remembering the ones you lost. These are just two examples from the book. The last part of the book, some examples of people who reached the described state of fully accepting everything that happens are given. Instances of sick people who did not pray for better health because they know it
1539-459: Is around 1314. Among the latest estimated publication dates is 1318, following the transportation of Agnes mothers remains to Königsfelden , which was also the begin of a deeper interest in spirituality for Agnes. Another theory is that Eckhart only finished the book around 1326, but that earlier versions were published and gifted to Agnes rearlier. This theory is based on the fact that in the church-process against Eckhart that had been going on in
1620-485: Is assumed to have been a gift for the queen of Hungary Agnes of Austria . What the exact occasion was is not clear. It might have been when her sister in law died, which would date the book at around 1305. Other events in Agnes life that could have given reason for the gift are the murder of her father Albert I of Germany (1308),or the death of her mother Elisabeth of Carinthia (1313). Another estimated publication date
1701-629: Is considered by some to have been the inspirational " layman " referred to in Johannes Tauler 's and Rulman Merswin 's later writings in Strasbourg where he is known to have spent time (although it is doubtful that he authored the simplistic Book of the Nine Rocks published by Merswin and attributed to The Friend of God from the Oberland ). On the other hand, most scholars consider The Friend of God from
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#17328511416051782-437: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Meister Eckhart Eckhart von Hochheim OP ( c. 1260 – c. 1328 ), commonly known as Meister Eckhart ( pronounced [ˈmaɪstɐ ʔˈɛkaʁt] ), Master Eckhart or Eckehart , claimed original name Johannes Eckhart , was a German Catholic priest , theologian , philosopher and mystic . He
1863-708: Is generated, and which is yet the source and fountain of all the divine. The Trinity is, for Eckhart, the revealed God and the mysterious origin of the Trinity is the Godhead, the absolute God. Matthew Fox (born 1940) is an American theologian . Formerly a priest and a member of the Dominican Order within the Roman Catholic Church , Fox was an early and influential exponent of a movement that came to be known as Creation Spirituality . The movement draws inspiration from
1944-495: Is gods will and that it is ultimately good for them, for example to learn something. In the last paragraphs, the author says that some will not believe what is written in the book, and that some people want to hide their own blindness by making others blind. He also criticises Seneca , who says such high and important topics should only be discussed with a great soul and much sense, and others after him who think that these topics are not for uneducated people. The author says, if that
2025-441: Is holding converse with time and the creatures; then must the right eye be hindered in its working; that is, in its contemplation. Therefore, whosoever will have the one must let the other go; for "no man can serve two masters". Eckhart was largely forgotten from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, barring occasional interest from thinkers such as Angelus Silesius (1627–1677). For centuries, his writings were known only from
2106-437: Is penetrated by the spirit of the university , in which it occurred. According to Hackett, Eckhart is to be understood as an "original hermeneutical thinker in the Latin tradition". To understand Eckhart, he has to be properly placed within the western philosophical tradition of which he was a part. Josiah Royce , an objective idealist , saw Eckhart as a representative example of 13th and 14th century Catholic mystics "on
2187-483: Is possible that the Pope's unusual decision to issue the bull, despite the death of Eckhart (and the fact that Eckhart was not being personally condemned as a heretic), was due to the pope's fear of the growing problem of mystical heresy, and pressure from his ally Henry of Virneburg to bring the case to a definite conclusion. Eckhart's status in the contemporary Catholic Church has been uncertain. The Dominican Order pressed in
2268-624: Is thin. However, it is known that the commissions reduced the 150 suspect articles down to 28; the document known as the Votum Avenionense gives, in scholastic fashion, the twenty-eight articles, Eckhart's defence of each, and the rebuttal of the commissioners. On 30 April 1328, the pope wrote to Archbishop Henry of Virneburg that the case against Eckhart was moving ahead, but added that Eckhart had already died (modern scholarship suggests he may have died on 28 January 1328). The papal commission eventually confirmed (albeit in modified form)
2349-581: Is to want what god wants and since whatever god wills happens, whatever happens is good. The only decent reason for sadness is to be sad not to have this ones with god and not being free from material things. Since reaching this state is only possible by the grace of God , a person should however also not be sad not to have reached that state, since it is the will of God. The second part consists of around 30 smaller reasons for being at peace and grateful instead of sad. These are often changes of perspective, for example remembering that every bad thing that happens
2430-472: The 14th century . Eckhart was quoted by, among others, Johannes Tauler , Nicolas von Landau or Marquand von Lindau, who were also Christian theologists. There he was often defended. During that time, Eckhart was a popular figure for common people who saw him as a wise master. They spread stories about his life and quoted his teachings in laymen wisdoms. Since his works were of a free-spirited nature, they were also used by laymen to defend against paternalism by
2511-461: The Book of Divine Consolation and theorises about the role Agnes of Hungary played as the potential recipient of the book as a gift. The book has also been referenced by works investigating the trial against Eckhart, namely " Eckardus theutonicus, homo doctus et sanctus: Nachweise und Berichte zum Prozess gegen Meister Eckhart " (English: Eckardus theutonicus, homo doctus et sanctus: evidence and reports on
Eckhart - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-404: The Book of Divine Consolation . " Meister Eckharts Strassburger Jahrzehnt " (English: Master Eckhart's Strasbourg decade ) by Gottschall et al. from 2008 and " Meister Eckhart: Theologe, Prediger, Mystiker " (English: Master Eckhart: Theologist, preacher and mystic ) by Kurt Ruh from 1989 are both exploring the life and career of Eckhart. They also investigate the Book of Divine Consolation and
2673-629: The University of Paris and became magister there. In 1311 Eckhart was sent to the university in Paris again to be magister, as appointed by the general chapter held at Naples . Being magister twice in Paris was a rare honour , only given to Thomas Aquinas before. Eckhart wrote many texts and poems both in German and Latin , usually advising people concerning the application of religious ideals to their lives. For
2754-538: The neo-Platonist thinkers Plotinus , Porphyry and Proclus . Heribert Fischer argued in the 1960s that Eckhart was a mediaeval theologian. Most recently, Clint Johnson agreed with D. T. Suzuki and argued on the basis of Eckhart's appeals to experience that he is a mystic in the tradition of Augustine and Dionysius . Passages like the following, Johnson contends, point to experience beyond intellectual speculation and philosophizing: Those who have never been familiar with inward things do not know what God is. Like
2835-638: The Areopagite asserted a great influence on him, as reflected in his notions on the Gottheit beyond the God who can be named. Although he was an accomplished academic theologian, Eckhart's best-remembered works are his highly unusual sermons in the vernacular. Eckhart as a preaching friar attempted to guide his flock, as well as monks and nuns under his jurisdiction, with practical sermons on spiritual/psychological transformation and New Testament metaphorical content related to
2916-648: The Cologne Dominican convent after the promulgation of the bull condemning Eckhart's writings, as notations from the bull are inserted into the manuscript. The manuscript came into the possession of the Carthusians in Basel, demonstrating that some Dominicans and Carthusians had continued to read Eckhart's work. It is also clear that Nicholas of Cusa , Archbishop of Cologne in the 1430s and 1440s, engaged in extensive study of Eckhart. He assembled, and carefully annotated,
2997-520: The Dominican authorities already had concerns about Eckhart's teaching. The Dominican General Chapter held in Venice in the spring of 1325 had spoken out against "friars in Teutonia who say things in their sermons that can easily lead simple and uneducated people into error". This concern (or perhaps concerns held by the archbishop of Cologne, Henry of Virneburg ) may have been why Nicholas of Strasburg , to whom
3078-547: The Dominican convent at Erfurt , when he was about eighteen. It is assumed he studied at Cologne before 1280. He may have also studied at the University of Paris , either before or after his time in Cologne. The first solid evidence we have for his life is when on 18 April 1294, as a baccalaureus (lecturer) on the Sentences of Peter Lombard , a post to which he had presumably been appointed in 1293 (he had been ordained to
3159-500: The Dominican house at Cologne. It is not clear exactly what he did there, though part of his time may have been spent teaching at the prestigious Studium in the city. Eckhart also continued to preach, addressing his sermons during a time of disarray among the clergy and monastic orders, rapid growth of numerous pious lay groups, and the Inquisition 's continuing concerns over heretical movements throughout Europe. It appears that some of
3240-452: The Dominicans and recipient of the letter, summarized the contents as follows: We tried to have the censure lifted on Eckhart ... and were told that there was really no need since he had never been condemned by name, just some propositions which he was supposed to have held, and so we are perfectly free to say that he is a good and orthodox theologian. Professor Winfried Trusen of Würzburg,
3321-414: The Oberland to be a pure fiction invented by Merswin to hide his authorship because of the intimidating tactics of the Inquisition at the time. It has been suspected that his practical communication of the mystical path is behind the influential 14th-century "anonymous" Theologia Germanica , which was disseminated after his disappearance. According to the medieval introduction of the document, its author
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3402-637: The One that cannot hold back its abundance of Being. Eckhart had imagined the creation not as a "compulsory" overflowing (a metaphor based on a common hydrodynamic picture), but as the free act of will of the triune nature of Deity (refer Trinitarianism ). Another bold assertion is Eckhart's distinction between God and Godhead ( Gottheit in German, meaning Godhood or Godhead, state of being God). These notions had been present in Pseudo-Dionysius 's writings and John
3483-518: The Pope had given the temporary charge of the Dominican convents in Germany in 1325, conducted an investigation into Eckhart's orthodoxy. Nicholas presented a list of suspect passages from the Book of Consolation to Eckhart, who responded sometime between August 1325 and January 1326 with the treatise Requisitus , now lost, which convinced his immediate superiors of his orthodoxy. Despite this assurance, however,
3564-538: The Provincial superior of Teutonia and him at the Dominican general chapter held in Paris in 1306, concerning irregularities among the ternaries, must have been trivial, because the general, Aymeric of Piacenza , appointed him in the following year as his vicar-general for Bohemia with full power to set the demoralised monasteries there in order. Eckhart was Provincial for Saxony until 1311, during which time he founded three convents for women there. On 14 May 1311 Eckhart
3645-558: The Scot 's De divisione naturae , but Eckhart, with characteristic vigor and audacity, reshaped the germinal metaphors into profound images of polarity between the Unmanifest and Manifest Absolute. Eckhart taught that "it is not in God to destroy anything which has being, but he perfects all things" leading some scholars to conclude that he may have held to some form of universal salvation . John Orme Mills notes that Eckhart did not "leave us
3726-535: The archbishop in 1326 ordered an inquisitorial trial. At this point Eckhart issued a Vindicatory Document , providing chapter and verse of what he had been taught. Throughout the difficult months of late 1326, Eckhart had the full support of the local Dominican authorities, as evident in Nicholas of Strasbourg's three official protests against the actions of the inquisitors in January 1327. On 13 February 1327, before
3807-421: The archbishop's inquisitors pronounced their sentence on Eckhart, Eckhart preached a sermon in the Dominican church at Cologne, and then had his secretary read out a public protestation of his innocence. He stated in his protest that he had always detested everything wrong, and should anything of the kind be found in his writings, he now retracts. Eckhart himself translated the text into German, so that his audience,
3888-503: The book. While Agnes appears to be one target audience of the book, it is also written for a more general audience of people seeking consolation . The book does not address Agnes directly and is not a commissioned work. The book was given the title "Buch der göttlichen Tröstung" in a later written record, while the book itself never speaks of a "devine consolation". Before that it was simply referred to as " Trostbuch " ( Consolation-book ). The Book of Divine Consolation intends to console
3969-455: The church and to claim their own right of interpreting theology. In this context, the inquisition and Persecutions of heretics was also criticised. A lot of these works are in the form of fictional dialogues between Eckhart and a layman, in which his views find support. In the Netherlands , Eckhart's then popular teachings faced backlash by the piety movement in the 14th century. There Eckhart
4050-403: The church at that time, which seemed to have followers strongly attached to the church and dependent on it to seek God. These critical passages from this book and other works of Eckhart can be found on a list dating back to the trial against Eckhart, which also contains responses of Eckhart. This also proofs that this book is one of Eckhart's own works. Though parts of Eckhart's teachings were in
4131-418: The circumstances of its publication. A more general work regarding German mysticism is " Geschichte der abendländischen Mystic. 3: Die Mystik des deutschen Predigerordens und ihre Grundlegung durch die Hochscholastik " (English: History of Western Mysticism. 3: The mysticism of the German order of preachers and its foundation through high scholasticism ) by Kurt Ruh from 1995, which includes a section regarding
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#17328511416054212-404: The creative power inherent in disinterest (dispassion or detachment). The central theme of Eckhart's German sermons is the presence of God in the individual soul, and the dignity of the soul of the just man. Although he elaborated on this theme, he rarely departed from it. In one sermon, Eckhart gives the following summary of his message: When I preach, I usually speak of detachment and say that
4293-473: The decision of the Cologne commission against Eckhart. Pope John XXII issued a bull ( In agro dominico ), 27 March 1329, in which a series of statements from Eckhart is characterized as heretical, another as suspected of heresy. At the close, it is stated that Eckhart recanted before his death everything which he had falsely taught, by subjecting himself and his writing to the decision of the Apostolic see . It
4374-696: The desire above all to do some good. In this, he frequently used unusual language or seemed to stray from the path of orthodoxy, which made him suspect to the Church during the tense years of the Avignon Papacy. In Eckhart's vision, God is primarily fecund. Out of overabundance of love the fertile God gives birth to the Son , the Word in all of us. Clearly, this is rooted in the Neoplatonic notion of "ebullience; boiling over" of
4455-500: The divine essence and the divine persons. The very heart of Eckhart's speculative mysticism, according to Royce, is that if, through what is called in Christian terminology the procession of the Son, the divine omniscience gets a complete expression in eternal terms, still there is even at the centre of this omniscience the necessary mystery of the divine essence itself, which neither generates nor
4536-430: The end deemed heretical, Eckhart had already passed away at that point. Eckhart supposedly fully revoked his problematic opinions before he died, as the persecutors announced later. The book is also subject of research into Eckhart's works and German mysticism in general. " Bibliographie zu Meister Eckhart " (English: Bibliography of Master Eckhart ) by Niklaus Largier from 1989 examines the occasion and writing-date of
4617-475: The exact publication context. In the book the author aims to console the reader and gives around 30 reasons why a person should not be saddened by any unfortune. It was later referenced in the inquisitorial trial against Eckhart. Eckhart joined the Dominican order around 1274, where he studied theology and eventually became a teacher himself. In 1302, Eckhart took up the external Dominican chair of theology at
4698-412: The importance of that tradition for this thought. Book of Divine Consolation The Book of Divine Consolation ( German : Buch der göttlichen Tröstung ) is a book by the German scholar and mystic Meister Eckhart (Eckhart von Hochheim), that dates back to somewhere between 1305 and 1326. It was likely partially intended as a gift for Agnes of Austria , though historians are unsure about
4779-539: The last decade of the 20th century for his full rehabilitation and confirmation of his theological orthodoxy. Pope John Paul II voiced favorable opinion on this initiative, even going as far as quoting from Eckhart's writings, but the outcome was confined to the corridors of the Vatican . In the spring of 2010, it was revealed that there had been a response from the Vatican in a letter dated 1992. Timothy Radcliffe , then Master of
4860-408: The last years of his life, no excerpts from the last ten pages were referenced. Another supporting hint for this theory is that in the end of the book, the author criticises the opinion of "some coarse person", who would say that some things in the book are false and that these teachings should not be for uneducated people. This could also be a response to the criticism of the church to earlier parts of
4941-521: The later nineteenth century for the recovery of Eckhart's works was Henry Denifle , who was the first to recover Eckhart's Latin works, from 1886 onwards. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, much Catholic interest in Eckhart was concerned with the consistency of his thought in relation to Neoscholastic thought – in other words, to see whether Eckhart's thought could be seen to be essentially in conformity with orthodoxy as represented by his fellow Dominican Thomas Aquinas . Since
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#17328511416055022-519: The latter of whom was later beatified . Since the 19th century, he has received renewed attention. He has acquired a status as a great mystic within contemporary popular spirituality , as well as considerable interest from scholars situating him within the medieval scholastic and philosophical tradition. Eckhart was probably born around 1260 in the village of Tambach , near Gotha , in the Landgraviate of Thuringia , perhaps between 1250 and 1260. It
5103-424: The majority of these texts the origin is debated among historians, the evidence that Eckhart is the real author is limited. They can also not be dated accurately, but since the Book of Divine Consolation was written in the later years of his life, most other writings are likely from before it. Eckhart also gave many sermons, of which many were published later in written form. They must have originated in his time as
5184-481: The mid-nineteenth century scholars have questioned which of the many pieces attributed to Eckhart should be considered genuine, and whether greater weight should be given to works written in the vernacular, or Latin. Although the vernacular works survive today in over 200 manuscripts, the Latin writings are found only in a handful of manuscripts. Denifle and others have proposed that the Latin treatises, which Eckhart prepared for publication very carefully, were essential to
5265-571: The priesthood by that time), he preached the Easter Sermon (the Sermo Paschalis ) at the Dominican convent of St. Jacques in Paris. In late 1294, Eckhart was made Prior at Erfurt and Dominican Provincial of Thuringia in Germany. His earliest vernacular work, Reden der Unterweisung ( The Talks of Instructions / Counsels on Discernment ), a series of talks delivered to Dominican novices, dates from this time (c. 1295–1298). In 1302, he
5346-507: The reader and convince them that their sadness , wherever it may stem from, is superfluous. It is structured in three parts, proceeded by a short introduction. The introduction starts with defining the three circumstances that make humans sad and announces the three main parts of the book, which are structured independently of the previously mentioned three reasons for sadness. The author categorises reasons for sadness as 1: damage or loss of things someone owns, 2: damage or loss of people close to
5427-465: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Eckhart . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eckhart&oldid=1163599091 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with surname-holder lists Hidden categories: Short description
5508-521: The subsequent Protestant Reformation . The following quote from the Theologia Germanica depicts the conflict between worldly and ecclesiastical affairs: The two eyes of the soul of man cannot both perform their work at once: but if the soul shall see with the right eye into eternity, then the left eye must close itself and refrain from working, and be as though it were dead. For if the left eye be fulfilling its office toward outward things, that
5589-483: The time at Strasbourg . It is unclear what specific office he held there: he seems chiefly to have been concerned with spiritual direction and with preaching in convents of Dominicans. A passage in a chronicle of the year 1320, extant in manuscript (cf. Wilhelm Preger , i. 352–399), speaks of a prior Eckhart at Frankfurt who was suspected of heresy, and some historians have linked this to Meister Eckhart. In late 1323 or early 1324, Eckhart left Strasbourg for
5670-435: The trial against Meister Eckhart ) by Stirnimann and Imbach from 1992. After the labeling of parts of Eckhart's works as being heresy through the trial against him, they became controversial. Still they were widely quoted and spread during the late Middle Ages , especially under Dominicans, Franciscans and Augustinians . Eckhart was also anonymously quoted and his influence is recognisable in many works of other authors of
5751-413: The verge of pronounced heresy" but without original philosophical opinions. Royce attributes Eckhart's reputation for originality to the fact that he translated scholastic philosophy from Latin into German, and that Eckhart wrote about his speculations in German instead of Latin. Eckhart generally followed Thomas Aquinas 's doctrine of the Trinity, but Eckhart exaggerated the scholastic distinction between
5832-442: The vernacular public, could understand it. The verdict then seems to have gone against Eckhart. Eckhart denied competence and authority to the inquisitors and the archbishop, and appealed to the Pope against the verdict. He then, in the spring of 1327, set off for Avignon . In Avignon, Pope John XXII seems to have set up two tribunals to inquire into the case, one of theologians and the other of cardinals. Evidence of this process
5913-490: The wisdom traditions of Christian scriptures and from the philosophies of such medieval Catholic visionaries as Hildegard of Bingen , Thomas Aquinas , Francis of Assisi , Julian of Norwich , Dante Alighieri , Meister Eckhart and Nicholas of Cusa , and others. Fox has written a number of articles on Eckhart and a book titled Breakthrough: Meister Eckhart's Creation Spirituality in New Translation . In "Conversation on
5994-659: Was an unnamed member of the Teutonic Order of Knights living in Frankfurt. The lack of imprimatur from the Church and anonymity of the author of the Theologia Germanica did not lessen its influence for the next two centuries – including Martin Luther at the peak of public and clerical resistance to Catholic indulgences – and was viewed by some historians of the early 20th century as pivotal in provoking Luther's actions and
6075-421: Was appointed by the general chapter held at Naples as teacher at Paris. To be invited back to Paris for a second stint as magister was a rare privilege, previously granted only to Thomas Aquinas . Eckhart stayed in Paris for two academic years, until the summer of 1313, living in the same house as inquistor William of Paris . After that follows a long period of which it is known only that Eckhart spent part of
6156-600: Was born near Gotha in the Landgraviate of Thuringia (now Thuringia in central Germany) in the Holy Roman Empire . Eckhart came into prominence during the Avignon Papacy at a time of increased tensions between monastic orders, diocesan clergy, the Franciscan Order, and Eckhart's Dominican Order . In later life, he was accused of heresy and brought up before the local Franciscan-led Inquisition , and tried as
6237-446: Was criticised as a false prophet and seen as a bad influence. In the 15th century, Nicholas of Cusa became interested in Eckhart's works and described them as intelligent, but only suitable for an educated audience. In the 19th century Eckhart became more popular again and was praised for his thoughts by Schopenhauer and Hegel . Schopenhauer wrote that Eckhart had great thoughts but was limited in that he had to share them through
6318-418: Was one of the most influential 13th-century Christian Neoplatonists in his day, and remained widely read in the later Middle Ages. Some early twentieth-century writers believed that Eckhart's work was forgotten by his fellow Dominicans soon after his death. In 1960, however, a manuscript (" in agro dominico ") was discovered containing six hundred excerpts from Eckhart, clearly deriving from an original made in
6399-438: Was previously asserted that he was born to a noble family of landowners, but this originated in a misinterpretation of the archives of the period. In reality, little is known about his family and early life. There is no basis for giving him the Christian name of Johannes , which sometimes appears in biographical sketches: his Christian name was Eckhart ; his surname was von Hochheim . Probably around 1278, Eckhart joined
6480-485: Was sent to Paris to take up the external Dominican chair of theology. He remained there until 1303. The short Parisian Questions date from this time. In late 1303, Eckhart returned to Erfurt and was given the position of Provincial superior for Saxony , a province which reached at that time from the Netherlands to Livonia . Thereby, he had responsibility for forty-seven convents in the region. Complaints made against
6561-402: Was true, nobody would ever learn anything. Excerpts from the book (among other works of Eckhart) were later used in the inquisition trial against Eckhart. They were used by prosecutors to support their claim that Eckhart's teachings contained heresy . The excerpt are primarily passages in which Eckhart talks about the oneness with God and how to achieve it. This was against the practices of
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