Dazzling Darkness: The Lives and Afterlives of the Christian Mystics & The Magic Theatre by James Harpur
Dazzling Darkness: The Lives and Afterlives of the Christian Mystics
Author
:
James Harpur
ISBN-13
:
9781911723905
Publisher
:
Hurst
Guideline Price
:
£25
Beyond the aphorisms of a few well-known figures, Christian mystics and mysticism are fairly opaque to most of us. Quoting the well-worn 'all shall be well' of Julian of Norwich or having a vague awareness of Margery Kempe's affective piety is often as far as our base of knowledge stretches.
In Dazzling Darkness, James Harpur redresses this imbalance by providing a guided tour of Christian mystics across the centuries. Taking his starting point in the earliest era of Christian faith and practice, Harpur provides potted biographies of figures, well-known and obscure, describing something of the period of history they inhabited and the spiritual disciplines they embodied. This breadth of vision is matched by wide-ranging research and a humbly conveyed depth of understanding.
A few features are notable in this concise history of the mystical tradition.
First, Harpur's research is driven not only by intellectual curiosity but also by a personal sense of spiritual pilgrimage – the author's interest in mysticism being quickened through a period of 'physical debilitation' that led him not only into research but a life of prayer.
READ MORE
Second, Harpur explores and includes mystical voices that could easily be lost to history or overlooked because of their theology. This means that female mystics are given their due prominence, not just in chapters that specifically assess their place in the historical record but in the broader sweep of history as well. Other unlikely moves include the incorporation of the Puritan John Bunyan and the placement of William Wordsworth's spirituality alongside that of the more predictably mystical William Blake.
Third, Harpur's scope of reading and research provides strong evidence of the decades-long nature of his quest to uncover what mysticism is and what influence it has had on Christian dogma and practice. This is no mere glancing survey but a work of substance where nuance, beauty of language and brevity of expression are equally honoured. This is a rare and welcome combination.
The book's journey into mysticism concludes with some original contemplative poetry from Harpur, taking individual Christian figures as his inspiration. These short pieces are suitably esoteric and provide a fitting conclusion to a book where the heart and mind are brought into contact with the wealth and eccentricity of the Christian mystical tradition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Living in the path of Dublin airport flights
Sarda IN is a voluntary group in Northern Ireland that provides dogs for search and rescue, as well as for cadaver searches across Ireland. Video: Alan Betson
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Two fast and easy midweek dinners that don't scrimp on flavour
This week I'm returning to my tried, tested and trusted recipes, ones that never fail to impress. Our house is like many around the country: busy, sometimes messy and full of constantly hungry people. As such, midweek dinners need to be quick, fulfilling and not cost the earth to put together. A well-stocked pantry and fridge is key to nailing this brief, using ingredients that are high in flavour and seasoning without breaking the bank. I'm also a divil for having the freezer stocked with garlic bread, a must for mopping up the sauce of this week's dishes. Both of these recipes are pasta-based and designed to live in a bowl. This means they can be swimming in sauce, which is where all the good stuff lives anyway. The first dish uses bucatini pasta, a thicker version of spaghetti (which will also work just fine). The sauce, which can be brought together in just 12 minutes, is made from cooking out a fennel bulb in olive oil and fennel seeds. While that's happening and as the pasta cooks, we make a simple pesto of capers, Parmesan and pine nuts. This is high in seasoning and, when added to the pasta sauce, immediately raises the flavour bar. Capers are definitely an ingredient to add to the pantry list. READ MORE Sausage, courgette and rosemary rigatoni. Photograph: Harry Weir The second dish turns to the humble sausage. Here, I'm using an Italian-style sausage with lovely savoury herbs and the perfect amount of seasoning. Cooking it off in oil and getting some colour stuck to the base of the pan is where the magic happens. Don't be afraid to let it get hot. [ Two Italian wines from Tesco to drink with pasta Opens in new window ] Rosemary brings another layer of Italian flair. Courgette has never been a vegetable that has floated my boat, but wilted down in pasta sauce and Parmesan, I'm anyone's. I've just ribboned them instead of using a peeler for ease of cleaning and speed. These dishes are quick, filling and full of flavour, because hectic lives still deserve delicious food. Recipe: Bucatini with fennel, capers and pine nuts Recipe: Sausage, courgette and rosemary rigatoni
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Kneecap's Dublin fans have their say
Sarda IN is a voluntary group in Northern Ireland that provides dogs for search and rescue, as well as for cadaver searches across Ireland. Video: Alan Betson
