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Full Description
The Sun at Midnight offers a splendid, easily accessible summary of mystical theology in the Cistercian school. Bernardo Olivera, a master of both the theology and the practice of the spiritual life, analyzes this tradition first in its rich human, biblical, and doctrinal connotations, and then according to its most typical expressions as they are lived among Cistercian mystics, with reference also to other Christian men and women. Olivera explores the rich testimony of the monks of the twelfth century as well as the lesser-known nuns and holy women of the thirteenth century.
Throughout the book, we discover Olivera's fundamental thesis: Personal mystical experience is not only the key to an adequate renewal of monastic life today but also-and above all-the foundation, the originating point, of any and all religion or religious tradition. Mystical experience is, in particular, the origin of Christianity and its rich spiritual tradition.
Contents
Contents
Foreword vii
Chapter 1: Cultural Context 1
Cultures 1
Modernity 3
Postmodernity 5
Change of Era 7
Thirsting for Mystery 8
Chapter 2: Our Life's Purpose 14
Present Relevance 15
Cistercian Teachers of Mysticism 16
Medieval Mystagogues 18
Chapter 3: Initial Clarifications 22
Mystery 22
Mysticism 27
Mystics 34
Mystical Experience 35
Chapter 4: Christ, the Supreme Mystic 40
Baptism 41
Transfiguration and Joy 44
Gethsemane 47
Calvary 49
Resurrection 52
The Bridegroom 53
Chapter 5: Our Mystical Experience 57
Sweetness and Kindness 59
Compunction 64
The Desert 67
Desire 72
Spousal Relationship 84
Unity of Spirit 103
Alternation 114
Chapter 6: Conclusions 120
Basic Assertions 120
Monastic Reevangelization 123
Serving the Church 125
Selected Bibliography 130
