Light, Life, and Love: Selections from the German Mystics of the Middle Ages

"Light, Life, and Love: Selections from the German Mystics of the Middle Ages" by William Ralph Inge is a collection of spiritual writings from German mystics during the Middle Ages. This compilation highlights the deeply personal connection between people and God as seen through the eyes of Meister Eckhart, John Tauler, and Heinrich Suso. The book explores ideas of divine love and the pursuit of spiritual understanding through surrender and detachment. The beginning of the book introduces German mysticism, mentioning its history and major figures. This highlights inner spirituality and the search for direct connection with God, a key part of the mystics' teachings. Inge examines the lives and ideas of the mystics, referring to Meister Eckhart's idea of a godly element within each person, and the understanding that true knowledge of God goes beyond words. Overall, the introductory section sets the stage for deeper explorations, demonstrating how these mystics viewed suffering, grace, and the life-changing power of divine love in their spiritual journey.