What do you think?
Rate this book
The Classics of Western Spirituality
Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead
"...these translations thus supersede former ones...if the introductions, translations, and other apparatus of the rest of the series of the same high quality, the series will be indispensable for most libraries. Library Journal Mechthild of The Flowing Light of the Godhead translated and introduced by Frank Tobin preface by Margot Schmidt "I was warned against writing this book. People If one did not watch out, It could be burned. So I did as I used to do as a child. When I was sad, I always had to pray… At once God revealed himself to my joyless soul, held this book in his right hand and 'My dear One, do not be overly troubled. No one can burn the truth.'" "I do not know how to write nor can I, unless I see with the eyes of my soul and hear with the ears of my eternal spirit and feel in all the parts of my body the power of the Holy Spirit." Mechthild of Magdeburg (c.1260-c.1282/94) These quotations taken from Mechthild's sole writing, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, written over several decades, reflect both the intensity of her consciousness of God and the tension under which she wrote. As a beguine with no authority to teach n a church in which women were being increasingly marginalized, Mechthild speaks out despite warnings, convinced of the validity of her divine mission. To accomplish the task of articulating her revelations and spiritual insights, Mechthild makes use of an astonishing multiplicity of literary and rhetorical means. The more mystical passages, often lyrical in expression, show her familiarity with bride mysticism and other Christian expressions found in Meister Eckhart, as well. This is the first English translation to be based on the new critical edition of Mechthild's book. The introduction and notes are intended to provide a theological, literary and historical context for capturing the spirituality of her remarkable and independent spirit. †
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
104 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Mechthild of Magdeburg
8 books12 followersMechthild (or Mechtild) of Magdeburg (c. 1207 – c. 1282/1294), a Beguine, was a medieval mystic, whose book Das fließende Licht der Gottheit (The Flowing Light of Divinity) described her visions of God.
Definite biographical information about Mechthild is scarce; what is known of her life comes largely from scattered hints in her work. She was probably born to a noble Saxon family, and claimed to have had her first vision of the Holy Spirit at the age of twelve. In 1230 she left her home to become a Beguine at Magdeburg. There, like Hadewijch of Antwerp, she seems to have exercised a position of authority in a beguine community. In Magdeburg she became acquainted with the Dominicans and became a Dominican tertiary. It seems clear that she read many of the Dominican writers. It was her Dominican confessor, Henry of Halle, who encouraged and helped Mechthild to compose The Flowing Light.
Her criticism of church dignitaries, religious laxity and claims to theological insight aroused so much opposition that some called for the burning of her writings. With advancing age, she was not only alone, and the object of much criticism but she also became blind. Around 1272, she joined the Cistercian nunnery at Helfta, who offered her protection and support in the final years of her life, and where she finished writing down the contents of the many divine revelations she claimed to have experienced. According to Professor Kate Lindemann, it speaks much of this community and its Abbess, that they would embrace a woman who was over 60 years of age, in poor health and so isolated by society. It is unclear whether she actually formally joined the Cistercian community or if she simply resided there and participated in the religious services but did not take Cistercian vows. The nuns of Helfta were highly educated and important works of mysticism survive from Mechthild’s younger contemporaries, St. Mechthild of Hackeborn and St. Gertrude the Great.
It is unclear when Mechthild died. 1282 is a commonly cited date, but some scholars believe she lived into the 1290s.
Definite biographical information about Mechthild is scarce; what is known of her life comes largely from scattered hints in her work. She was probably born to a noble Saxon family, and claimed to have had her first vision of the Holy Spirit at the age of twelve. In 1230 she left her home to become a Beguine at Magdeburg. There, like Hadewijch of Antwerp, she seems to have exercised a position of authority in a beguine community. In Magdeburg she became acquainted with the Dominicans and became a Dominican tertiary. It seems clear that she read many of the Dominican writers. It was her Dominican confessor, Henry of Halle, who encouraged and helped Mechthild to compose The Flowing Light.
Her criticism of church dignitaries, religious laxity and claims to theological insight aroused so much opposition that some called for the burning of her writings. With advancing age, she was not only alone, and the object of much criticism but she also became blind. Around 1272, she joined the Cistercian nunnery at Helfta, who offered her protection and support in the final years of her life, and where she finished writing down the contents of the many divine revelations she claimed to have experienced. According to Professor Kate Lindemann, it speaks much of this community and its Abbess, that they would embrace a woman who was over 60 years of age, in poor health and so isolated by society. It is unclear whether she actually formally joined the Cistercian community or if she simply resided there and participated in the religious services but did not take Cistercian vows. The nuns of Helfta were highly educated and important works of mysticism survive from Mechthild’s younger contemporaries, St. Mechthild of Hackeborn and St. Gertrude the Great.
It is unclear when Mechthild died. 1282 is a commonly cited date, but some scholars believe she lived into the 1290s.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 10, 2018
I’ve been living with women mystics from Medieval times, reading a bit each day (well, most days) since May. Mechthild had moments that soared and moved me, and (maybe slightly more) moments that made me cringe. Those times are simply being the product of her age.
There is an internalized misogyny that is difficult to read; there is a harsh view of the body, an avoidance of pleasure, that reflects the time but is not how I see a full understanding of God.
But the soaring moments! There are times where her encounter with God seems to make her words lift off the page and connect me to the Living Fount of the Universe. Where there is no doubt she is encountering the same Spirit I know and love and who has transformed me.
I don’t think I would recommend this to someone without a pretty thorough understanding of the theology of medieval times, and could do some filtering as you read. But I have collected some beautiful pieces from it.
There is an internalized misogyny that is difficult to read; there is a harsh view of the body, an avoidance of pleasure, that reflects the time but is not how I see a full understanding of God.
But the soaring moments! There are times where her encounter with God seems to make her words lift off the page and connect me to the Living Fount of the Universe. Where there is no doubt she is encountering the same Spirit I know and love and who has transformed me.
I don’t think I would recommend this to someone without a pretty thorough understanding of the theology of medieval times, and could do some filtering as you read. But I have collected some beautiful pieces from it.
April 2, 2019
It’s necessary to try to understand Mechtild in her original context; influenced by the courts and her beguine spirituality. She has a very harsh view of the body and at times her symbolism can be rather, well, medieval. But she also is aware of “Blessed Estrangement” from God, finding love even in God’s absence. She feels intensely the power of God that wounds her and draws her ever nearer to the Godhead. She’s fiercely trinitarian and richly poetic.
September 19, 2022
Uneven, at times tedious, but wow. This book contains some of the most powerful spiritual writings I have come across. Every Christian should read Mechthild’s descriptions of the life of the trinity and her “exegetical” visions. Psychedelic in the best sense, and deeply moving.
March 26, 2021
Rating: 5 / 5
Understandably, in reading this book for over a year and counting, I've had time to get through it in some depth. Offhand, I'd say that this is a very dense, old text, as it of course written by a 13th century mystic that most people have never heard about--although I'd say that most people have never heard about mysticism, and therefore don't really know what it means or what to connect it to, which in itself is part of its enigma. Myself though, having studied medieval history in-depth and done a university seminar course focusing on monasticism and poverty in the middle ages, as well as having an in-depth love for mysticism and understanding and fascination with enigmatic literature, of course I loved it and was captivated. I won't try to deny it: I am deeply attracted to obscure things like this, and that in itself makes up a good portion of my praise towards it.
That being said, no one should get the idea that this work contains something that you will necessarily like or even be able to understand, even if you are a stouthearted Christian. Without having some knowledge of the background of the times and of Mechthild herself (and, I would venture to say, other contemporary mystics of the times, as well as pretty much all of Dante's Divine Comedy for cross-referencing purposes), this text would more or less be incomplete.
I myself love it and will definitely be re-reading it in the future, in segments and parts, much like how I slowly got through it the first time. It is not an easy read, but with more and more re-reads through it, I am sure that my own understanding will only grow.
Recommendation-wise, I'm not sure who to recommend it to, so instead I'll leave it up to everyone individually to scout out and see if this is something they can handle reading. As anything to be mass-produced and mass-read, this is a work that I am confident in saying will probably never be good for that; as an individual, slow, and meaningful read for anyone willing to put in the work to understand beautiful spiritual concepts that are not altogether clear, especially not at first, then by all means I encourage you to do so. Even obscure works don't have to be forgotten, after all.
Understandably, in reading this book for over a year and counting, I've had time to get through it in some depth. Offhand, I'd say that this is a very dense, old text, as it of course written by a 13th century mystic that most people have never heard about--although I'd say that most people have never heard about mysticism, and therefore don't really know what it means or what to connect it to, which in itself is part of its enigma. Myself though, having studied medieval history in-depth and done a university seminar course focusing on monasticism and poverty in the middle ages, as well as having an in-depth love for mysticism and understanding and fascination with enigmatic literature, of course I loved it and was captivated. I won't try to deny it: I am deeply attracted to obscure things like this, and that in itself makes up a good portion of my praise towards it.
That being said, no one should get the idea that this work contains something that you will necessarily like or even be able to understand, even if you are a stouthearted Christian. Without having some knowledge of the background of the times and of Mechthild herself (and, I would venture to say, other contemporary mystics of the times, as well as pretty much all of Dante's Divine Comedy for cross-referencing purposes), this text would more or less be incomplete.
I myself love it and will definitely be re-reading it in the future, in segments and parts, much like how I slowly got through it the first time. It is not an easy read, but with more and more re-reads through it, I am sure that my own understanding will only grow.
Recommendation-wise, I'm not sure who to recommend it to, so instead I'll leave it up to everyone individually to scout out and see if this is something they can handle reading. As anything to be mass-produced and mass-read, this is a work that I am confident in saying will probably never be good for that; as an individual, slow, and meaningful read for anyone willing to put in the work to understand beautiful spiritual concepts that are not altogether clear, especially not at first, then by all means I encourage you to do so. Even obscure works don't have to be forgotten, after all.
August 23, 2020
Will to love and will to sink are the two driving forces of Mechthild’s spirituality.
July 16, 2019
I read this book as a student of German literature, having an exam on it quite soon. It is not an easy read; mostly because there is no story. I would definitely recommend that you get a bit of a basic idea about what medieval mysticism is and that you are at least a little bit familiar with the "basic" stories of the bible - Adam and Eve, things relating to transgression. If you read this book and try to follow what is going on, you will end up being very frustrated, I assume, but if you just let that hope go and delve into it, you might enjoy it. It is quite repetitive at times, but that also means that you can get a good idea on what it is about by just reading the first book (there are seven).
July 31, 2021
An incredible mystic who wrote beautiful, powerful poetry (coming from a guy who has a hard time understanding any poetry). She saw that God desired to love her above all else. I hope to know that with my whole being one day.
March 23, 2022
idk man, it’s medieval mysticism not YA. she’s horny for god. She has opinions on convent management. It’s weird and kinda fun and not really the kind of thing I can review on goodreads dot com.
January 12, 2025
“Oh wretched lame dog that I am, I would also shuffle along with you”
March 8, 2024
Oh Mechthild. I am so glad that you visited me in a dream and are now my spiritual advisor
March 3, 2020
An entrée into the mind of a medieval mystic
Mechthild of Magdeburg was called to the religious life when she was only 12, proclaiming, "No one can burn the truth," after Marguerite Porete was burned with her book. She had daily visions which continued until she was 43. In her writing, she used "highly erotic language," yet she cursed the body as a hindrance to the soul's spiritual progress towards God. One might interpret this intense desire for union with God as a substitute for a human lover, not allowed in this time and place, unless married. Yet even married women were known to eschew sex, while favoring an intimate relationship to the divine."
Mechthild of Magdeburg was called to the religious life when she was only 12, proclaiming, "No one can burn the truth," after Marguerite Porete was burned with her book. She had daily visions which continued until she was 43. In her writing, she used "highly erotic language," yet she cursed the body as a hindrance to the soul's spiritual progress towards God. One might interpret this intense desire for union with God as a substitute for a human lover, not allowed in this time and place, unless married. Yet even married women were known to eschew sex, while favoring an intimate relationship to the divine."
January 12, 2025
"His eyes into my eyes
His heart into my heart
His soul into my soul
Untiringly enclosed"
Some of the most striking religious writings I've ever read. Particularly redundant in parts, but very often she lands on a sense of yearning so wonderfully conveyed it floors you.
His heart into my heart
His soul into my soul
Untiringly enclosed"
Some of the most striking religious writings I've ever read. Particularly redundant in parts, but very often she lands on a sense of yearning so wonderfully conveyed it floors you.
Read
March 12, 2022Read for Hilary Term Secondary Tutorial: The Mystics of Helfta
December 3, 2022
My study, titled "Transformation of Convention in Mechthild von Magdeburg," is posted to my blog at http://williamseaton.blogspot.com/201...
May 9, 2025
Review impending (Internet archive hates to see me coming)
February 1, 2026
I'm writing a research paper on medieval mystics and their erotic descriptions of relations with god, so this was an essential read. It was really interesting and captivating!
December 24, 2024
I could kick it w her
June 12, 2024
I have a lot of thoughts on this book. On one hand it is a fairly radical book by today's standards, because christian mysticism isn't really practiced anymore so the fact she is constantly having sex with Jesus in her visions is going to shock people. But like, nuns traditionally were married to Christ, it is only after the witch hunts that it seems this takes the form of an abnegation of sexual pleasure, before that it was much more common to 'have sex with Christ' for Christian women. The BDSM elements are also fascinating, she's constantly being called a worm or belittled, or tied up and taken away by Jesus to the cellar, or the garden, or wherever. On the other hand, she is writing in the 1200's and there is a lot of internalized misogyny (this might be part of the bdsm thing?), and just general references to court life and court poetry that I assume one needs more knowledge than I have to fully understand what she's saying at points. I feel like I'm missing some of the cultural context her writing is taking place in. Christian mysticism stems from Dionysus worship, since all mystics believe that god can take the form of agape-eros, so this book also reads quite Nietzschian at times, especially the parts where she waxes about enjoying suffering and comfort.
October 11, 2024
[Senses:]
"Oh, Lady, if you go there,
We shall go completely blind.
The Godhead is so blazing hot,
As you well know,
That all the fire and all the glowing embers
That make the heavens and all the saints glow and burn
Have flowed out from his divine breath
And from his human mouth
According to the plan of the Holy Spirit.
How can you stay there even for an hour?"
[Soul:]
"A fish in water does not drown.
A bird in the air does not plummet.
Gold in fire does not perish.
Rather, it gets its purity and its radiant color there.
God has created all creatures to live according to their nature.
How, then, am I to resist my nature?
I must go from all things to God,
Who is my Father by nature,
My Brother by his humanity,
My Bridegroom by love,
And I his bride from al eternity.
Don't you believe I feel him intensely?
He can both burn powerfully and cool consolingly.
Now do not be overly sad.
You shall yet instruct me.
When I return, I shall certainly need your advice;
For the earth is full of snares."
"Oh, Lady, if you go there,
We shall go completely blind.
The Godhead is so blazing hot,
As you well know,
That all the fire and all the glowing embers
That make the heavens and all the saints glow and burn
Have flowed out from his divine breath
And from his human mouth
According to the plan of the Holy Spirit.
How can you stay there even for an hour?"
[Soul:]
"A fish in water does not drown.
A bird in the air does not plummet.
Gold in fire does not perish.
Rather, it gets its purity and its radiant color there.
God has created all creatures to live according to their nature.
How, then, am I to resist my nature?
I must go from all things to God,
Who is my Father by nature,
My Brother by his humanity,
My Bridegroom by love,
And I his bride from al eternity.
Don't you believe I feel him intensely?
He can both burn powerfully and cool consolingly.
Now do not be overly sad.
You shall yet instruct me.
When I return, I shall certainly need your advice;
For the earth is full of snares."
January 19, 2017
The interesting points in this very "unusual" early Christian mystical texts:
1. Written in the vernacular --> makes the highly unapproachable Church accessible for a largely illiterate medieval audience
2. The anthropomorphic depiction of God; God as a lover (in contrast to Augustine's incorporeal God)
3. Metaphysical quandaries?
1. Written in the vernacular --> makes the highly unapproachable Church accessible for a largely illiterate medieval audience
2. The anthropomorphic depiction of God; God as a lover (in contrast to Augustine's incorporeal God)
3. Metaphysical quandaries?
October 27, 2023
At turns interesting, beautiful, and disturbing. Super long and esoteric. She says you have to read it 9 times to fully grasp it. I decided not to finish reading it, as life only provides so much time to read so many books before death. I stopped 60% of the way through. I got the gist, and understand her writing style. Maybe one day I'll pick it up and finish the rest of it. Unlikely though.
Read
February 13, 2015This book is written by a Contemplative in the 14th or 15th century. It is mostly poetry but quite interesting. It is not for everyone but I have enjoyed reading it and come back to it often.
June 9, 2015
Interesting if you're into Medieval mystics. Don't read it if you're not.
Read
January 9, 2018Reread for exam.
December 20, 2018
This gives you the flowing love of God straight from the heart of God through this precious vessel.
March 30, 2019
Fascinating, but I decided to set it aside for now. I got about half way through and was losing her train of thought. I will try again after I am off these brain-fogging meds.
May 25, 2023
I have loved excerpts of this book but unfortunately could not get into this translation. I will be reading the Classics of Western Spirituality copy in the future.
December 2, 2010
sweet dew of the Holy Trinity.
February 12, 2019
This book is a puzzle. It’s not a quick read, unlike most of the books I read. It’s slow, developing over time, contextual, strange, and mystical. If that’s what you like, this book will rock your world. Truthfully, I was not always comfortable, nor were the author (Mechthild of Magdeburg) and I seeing eye to eye. But I have a feeling this book is a life read, one that continues to grow as I do, continuing to change as God changes me. I look forward to other reads in other years.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews