The Inner Way: The Mystical Theology of John Tauler

by Johannes Tauler, E-Saint Library (Editor), Arthur Wollaston Hutton (Translator)

"The Illuminated Doctor" John (Johannes) Tauler has been described as “one of the foremost among the medieval German mystics and preachers, uniting the intellectual depth of Eckhart with the interior spirituality of Suso and the fervor of Berthold of Ratisbon.” The Inner Way brings together thirty-seven of Tauler's finest sermons, written for festivals ranging from the Conception, Nativity, Annunciation and Assumption of Our Lady, to the Feast Days of more than a dozen Saints and Martyrs, to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - all revealing and reveling in Tauler's unique perspective on spiritual truth - a view that is neither purely intellectual, nor purely emotional, but which, rather, employs all the powers of the soul. In this E-Saint Library eBook edition, Old English usage has been meticulously revised to conform to the patterns of modern Western English speech, in hopes of making the profound content of this book more available and of greater practical use to modern readers.

Genres: Catholic, Devotional

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Johannes Tauler OP (c. 1300 in Strasbourg – 15 June 1361) was a German mystic, a Catholic preacher and a theologian. A disciple of Meister Eckhart, he belonged to the Dominican order. Tauler was known as one of the most important Rhineland Mystics. He promoted a certain neo-platonist dimension in the Dominican spirituality of his time.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘God is infinite and without end, but the soul’s desire is an abyss which cannot be filled except by a Good which is infinite; and the more ardently the soul longs after God, the more she wills to long after Him; for God is a Good without drawback, and a well of living water without bottom, and the soul is made in the image of God, and therefore it is created to know and love God.’ - Tauler

The Inner Way is a collection of the thirty-seven (out of 145) sermons written by the German mystic, preacher, theologian and disciple of Meister Eckert, Johannes Tauler, called the Sermons for Festivals. They seem to have been intended for (a) convent(s) of nuns on the various feast days throughout the Catholic Church year. It is worth noting that Tauler not only survived the crisis which befell his mentor, Eckert (being accused of Pantheism) but the Black Death as well. He has been called ‘the Reformer before the Reformation’, beloved by Christians from many denominations—and yet none of these extant sermons comes to us from his own hand. Rather the manuscripts are at best only the reports of those who heard him; and such reports, it is hardly necessary to say, do not reproduce the sermons as they actually were delivered; though the way in which the sermons have thus come down to us explains the differences of reading in various editions and also the obscurity of certain passages. In addition, the English translation used in this volume was originally published in 1901 and needs updating.

Although some of Tauler’s recommendations sound a bit medieval, his laments are as familiar and current as the latest tweet and I-phone. Inspiring at times, intriguing at others. I discovered many gems which made this a worthwhile read.

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Dec 30, 2015: Johannes Tauler (1300-1361) writes: “It is, alas! no longer the fashion to suffer for the sake of God, and to bear the Cross for Him; for the diligence and real earnestness, that perchance were found in man, have been extinguished and have grown cold; and now no one is willing any longer to suffer distress for the sake of God. Could we find out any way in which no one would have to suffer, that is what we should choose for our life. Alas! one and all think only of self, in all their works and ways.”

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a fan of Meister Eckhart, I was overjoyed to discover that he had disciples. John Tauler being his contemporary, one sees similar themes in his writings, and yet their hinted at through practical advice concerning ethics. Perhaps he knew the condemnation of some of Eckharts' writings, but it's more likely he just decided to be on the safe side and not be too rebellious and direct, while having a unique writing style as well. Many eloquent and profound statements in this work.

[David Bruyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tauler's weird Mariology and angelology is a fine example of why the Reformation was needed.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, insightful teachings from one of Meister Eckhart's followers. I am definitely interested in reading his other books.