The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions

Brother Wayne has shared an important gift to the world with this book where he demonstrates his deep love of The Divine as found in every belief system. His vision of the mystical path to God knows no limits, and I rejoice in his brilliant exploration of the mystical aspects of each of the world's religions. This is a must-read for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of how the Ultimate Reality is pursued in nearly every spiritual tradition.

There really is no other book on inter-spirituality, the new millennium of religious experience. One of the most important books I’ve ever read.

This book was the result of many years of study and interfaith dialogue as well as a dedicated regular practice of various forms of prayer such as the Rosary, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and the Eucharist. There is an enthusiasm and exuberance in Br. Teasdale's ongoing communion with God that he is eager to share with the world -- not as a boast but as a gift. To show that such faith, hope and love is accessible to all. He takes the affirmation of Vatican II, that all major faiths contain their own take on the greater truths of life and death, very seriously. His exploration of other religions is done from the perspective of someone who is rooted in his own tradition, and while he presents his own synthesis of how he interprets other faiths, he doesn't force this on those from other religions. Everyone, religious and irreligious, interprets other religions and beliefs through the lens of their own views, and Teasdale does so generously, accurately and honestly. His vision isn't one of a sloppy, indistinct mush made up of pieces of various religions that is so generic and bland as to be useless. In fact Teasdale writes so lovingly of the structures and liturgical gems each tradition has inherited that one suspects he would find such an indiscriminate merger of religions to be a tragedy. His view for an inter-spiritual age is based on the idea that each tradition is a complete system which can interact with and learn from others without losing its distinctiveness. I purchased this book many years ago and have re-read it several times, and each time I find something I didn't notice or fully appreciate before. It is a wonderful companion to have on your spritual journey.

Mysticism (as Teasdale tells it) would make better sense if it was shown clearly in relation to the "final integration" that is referred to at the end of chapter 9. If you look at mysticism as a duality of self and non-self, it suggests that it is a state that waits for resolution. I see mysticism as a transitional state, a sort of halfway house of being before becoming whole. I do not see the spiritual destination as the mystical life but rather the final integration. To romanticize the mystical state of being is to lock one in place. I recall one women I was corresponding with who said she was relieved to no longer be a mystic. The resolution of the mystical life is a happy moment as one is finally free to live an ordinary life.The mystical state still retains the narrative of one's culture and that narrative separates us from others in other cultures who hold different narratives. The duality of mysticism does not rise above these cultural narratives, in fact it is the narrative that helps gives one direction. The final integration is not only self-transcendence but also transcendence of the narrative as well. At that point I think we could start to talk about interspirituality. It seems premature to approach it from the unresolved mystical state.

The Mystic Heart by Wayne Teasdale is a trusted resource for those persons beginning on an intentional spiritual journey as well as those well along the way and asking the many questions that inevitably arise. Wayne Teasdale draws on a profound knowledge of the world's spiritual traditions and orientations to help us better understand the shape and nature of our past travels as well as possibilities for the future. The volume is a store of wisdom into which one may delve again and again without fear of exhausting the richness of its contents. It has been my privilege to use this teaching tool with students in prison as well as seekers in upper-middle-class congregations. All were enthused and aided by such a splendid volume of spiritual wisdom.

This book is the epitome of books for all who are seeking to understand mysticism and the connection of all world religions, and also what is happening in terms of spiritual growth within their own minds and souls. I happened to order it on a friend's recommendation just before I landed in the hospital and nearly died. I had amazing experiences and when the book arrived while I was in the hospital, it validated everything I was going through. Truly Amazing.

I enjoyed reading how well-versed this earthly monk is concerning major religions. He offers a unique perspective on the role of love and kindness in widely different religious practices.I suppose his greatest contribution to the individual reader is that he guides you in what it takes in character development to become more mystical in one's own heart. Not a book to be taken lightly - if you would reconcile your spiritual practice to those of the masters of love and kindness!

If everyone in the world read this book today the world would truly change for the better, and we would all come to know peace on Earth.God Bless the late Brother Wayne Teasdale a truly Holy man.

Wayne Teasdale scans across many faith traditions extracting the mystical core of them all. Refreshing,well- researched and a tremendously powerful call to unity in a fragmented world.There is no attempt to show any faith as the best to the exclusion of all others which I am afraid I often encounter. This book reflects on the opportunity for us to engage in 'interspirituality' i.e. a way of extending our arms and heart to embrace and understand other traditions. This doesn't mean we lose or lessen the strength and depth of our own. In fact by understanding the techniques and philosophy of other traditions we can only deepen and refresh our own. And if you think about it if God is in everything then the idea that any one tradition has it all is absurd. All mystical traditions whether Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi,the Kabbalah etc offer an openness and oneness to an all encompassing vision of the world.The author, being a Catholic monk, of course makes many references to the Catholic faith and draws on the writings of that tradition quite extensively (St John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating to name a few) but he also writes knowledgeably about other traditions and shows how ultimately all spiritual practice is universally about inner development that reaches 'fruition in selfless love, compassion, mercy, and kindness'. True spiritual practice then is known by its fruits no matter what tradition it comes from.The fruits of the spiritual journery include OPENNESS, PRESENCE, LISTENING, BEING, SEEING, SPONTANEITY, JOY AND PROFOUND PEACE.In chapter 10 Teasdale suggests that we should open our hearts and consider the all encompassing idea of a universal mysticism where we commune and practice a spirituality as ONE. In so doing we will begin to heal our divisions through being contemplative, interspiritual, intermystical, socially engaged, environmentally responsible, holistic and integrating. Meditation and contemplation appear to be key to working on changing our inner world so that we can commune with others in action with more compassion and love.This openess is the kind of attitude we need in our fragmented world. Excellent. A very hopeful vision of the future. Lots more I could say but don't want to spoil an enlightening and thought-provoking read that leaves one feeling quite buoyant.

This is one of those important books to pay attention to for anyone interested in spirituality and how we can come together in the world towards peace.

I can't give the book no stars or one star as this is 'I hate it' and certainly that is not what I would wish to express. It is indeed informative and the author intelligent and very able in expressing his ideas. .. of a supposed universal spirituality, within which he recognises the conflict between theistic and non theistic 'spirituality' but believes that man will advance to a higher state to find the universal truth inherent in all spiritualities and hence interspirituality.The author and many from a contemplative/inner conscientiousness /inner light background (including Thich Nhat Hanh) fail to understand the God of biblical Christians and his offer of a much simpler way to find absolute truth ( a theme of the author)..... by His grace and entering into a personal relationship with us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A simple reading of the gospel of John would easily demonstrate the belief that Jesus had that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to God except through Him. This is the essence of Christian belief as recorded in the bible rather than the philosophical ‘christian?’ murmurings and humanistic pseudo spirituality of those such as the author who regard the orthodox good news of life in Christ as exclusive and fundamentalist.