Mystical Anthropology, edited by John Arblaster and Rob Faesen, offers an in-depth exploration of the unique perspectives on the human soul as articulated by medieval mystics from the Low Countries, such as John of Ruusbroec. These thinkers sought to answer profound questions about the soul’s structure, its relationship with God, and how the human person can attain divine union. By contrasting these medieval views with modern thought, the book challenges readers to reconsider how spirituality is understood today.
At the core of the book is the question: How can a finite human soul achieve unity with an infinite God? Mystical authors addressed this by discussing various aspects of the soul, such as its faculties and its “innermost being.” Ruusbroec, for instance, described the soul’s transformation as it moves toward a state of oneness with God, which requires the person to transcend their individual limitations.
John of Ruusbroec and Connections to Meister Eckhart:
Ruusbroec’s writings share a deep affinity with the works of Meister Eckhart, a contemporary mystic known for his bold teachings on the union with God. Both thinkers emphasized the idea of a profound, transformative union with the Divine that takes place within the deepest part of the soul. However, while Eckhart often spoke of an “abyss” where the soul loses itself entirely in God, Ruusbroec emphasized a loving communion in which the soul retains a sense of individuality even as it unites with God.
For both, the journey toward God involves an encounter with the ground of the soul—a concept Ruusbroec referred to as “Wesen” (being) and “overwesen” (over-being or transcendent being). In this understanding, Wesen represents the essential nature of the soul that remains fundamentally connected to God, while overwesen is the Divine source that transcends and gives rise to the soul itself. This resonates with Eckhart’s teachings, where he describes a “God beyond God” that surpasses human understanding.
Explaining “Weselijcke” and “Werkelijcke”
In Ruusbroec’s view, the human soul has two ways of engaging with God: weselijcke, which can be understood as an “essential” or “innate” connection to God, and werkelijcke, which is an “active” engagement in divine love and service. In other words, weselijcke is the soul’s fundamental connection with the Divine that exists beyond any actions or thoughts. It is this state of simple being in which the soul is most like God. On the other hand, werkelijcke refers to the outward expressions of this connection—how a person lives out their faith through love, good works, and contemplation.
Kant’s Position in Relation to Mystical Anthropology
The mystics’ focus on transcending the self to find unity with the Divine seems at odds with the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, who emphasized the limits of human understanding. Kant held that humans could only know the world as it appears to them, not as it truly is, which would suggest that any attempt to “know” God directly is beyond human capability. He believed in an inherent separation between the human and the divine, mediated only through moral action and duty rather than mystical experience.
In contrast, Ruusbroec and Eckhart argued for the possibility of direct experience and union with the Divine. For Kant, the idea of mystical union might seem inconceivable, as it transcends the rational limits of knowledge. Yet, for the mystics, these experiences represent the most profound truths about existence, accessible not through reason but through the innermost faculties of the soul.
Why Read This Book?
Mystical Anthropology is essential for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Christian mysticism, medieval spirituality, or the philosophical questions surrounding the nature of the soul. It bridges the gap between ancient mystical wisdom and contemporary spiritual concerns, making it a valuable read for theologians, philosophers, and spiritual seekers alike.
