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The Christian Mysticism Podcast

The Imitation of Christ: The mystic's handbook

Season 2, Ep. 5

Written in the 15th century around the same time as the invention of the printing press, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis was printed in several languages and became a bestseller. It is widely regarded as the most important devotional work in Catholic Christianity and one of the most-read devotional works next to the Bible. It undoubtedly helped many Christian mystics in that era and beyond to develop a closer relationship to Christ on their quest for mystical experiences. Furthermore, it was also a source of personal inspiration and support for Dr. Carlos Eire during a difficult time in his childhood, which he shares with us in this episode.

If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).

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  • 15. The Bible and Mysticism: Part 2 - The New Testament

    48:21||Season 2, Ep. 15
    The Christian Bible is full of imagery and instruction that Christian mystics have used as inspiration and direction in their mystical journeys. In our last episode, Dr. Carlos Eire shared a sampling of Old Testament scripture that Christian mystics have used and meditated on over the centuries. In this episode, we explore the New Testament and how Christian mystics used it as inspiration.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).
  • 14. The Bible and Mysticism Part 1: The Old Testament

    45:39||Season 2, Ep. 14
    The Christian Bible is full of imagery and instruction that Christian mystics have used as inspiration and direction in their mystical journeys. In this episode, Dr Carlos Eire shares a sampling of Old Testament scripture that Christian mystics have used and meditated on over the centuries. In the next episode, we'll explore the New Testament and the inspiration mystics found in that scripture. If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).
  • 13. Mysticism and madness

    47:56||Season 2, Ep. 13
    Is the human brain the source of mystical experience? You may be surprised to learn scientists have been able to map the part of the brain that becomes active when individuals are in prayer, but that doesn't necessarily mean mysticism is just a hallucination or psychosis. In this episode, we discuss how the brain plays a role in mysticism and how modern psychology's penchant to pathologize mystical experiences as a mental disorder may be too quick to discredit real mysticism. If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).
  • 12. St. Gemma Galgani: The suffering mystic

    50:19||Season 2, Ep. 12
    St. Gemma Galgani (March 12, 1878 -- April 11, 1903) was a “Daughter of the Passion” and lived a short life of intense veneration and imitation of Christ’s passion despite her own physical and emotional pain. She received the gift of the stigmata at the age of 21 and experienced mystical experiences with Christ, the Virgin Mary, and her guardian angel. If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).If you have any questions, you can email us at christianmysticismpodcast@gmail.com. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.You can visit our podcast website HERE.
  • 11. Mysticism and exorcism

    49:46||Season 2, Ep. 11
    In this episode, we discuss the intersection between Christian mysticism and the phenomena of demonic possession and exorcism.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).If you have any questions, you can email us at christianmysticismpodcast@gmail.com. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.You can visit our podcast website HERE.
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