Selections From Ruysbroek

by Jan van Ruusbroec

Selections From Ruysbroek is a book written by Jan van Ruysbroeck that features a collection of his works. Jan van Ruysbroeck was a Flemish mystic and spiritual writer who lived in the 14th century. The book includes a selection of his writings that explore various spiritual themes such as the nature of God, the human soul, and the path to spiritual enlightenment. The writings are presented in English translation, making them accessible to a wider audience. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Christian mysticism and spirituality, and provides a glimpse into the profound insights of one of the most influential mystics of the Middle Ages.THIS 104 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE Light, Life and Selections from the German Mystics of the Middle Ages, by Jan Van Ruysbroeck. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564596087.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Jan (Johannes) van Ruusbroec of Ruysbroeck, ook "de Wonderbare" genoemd wordt beschouwd als een van de grootste mystici van de zuidelijke Nederlanden. Zijn werk, oorspronkelijk geschreven in het Middelnederlands, werd algauw vertaald in het Latijn.
Zijn studies aan de kapittelschool in Brussel werden bekostigd door zijn oom Jan Hinckaert, een rijke priester en kapelaan van de Sint-Goedelekerk te Brussel. Vanaf 1317 was hij op zijn beurt gedurende vijfentwintig jaar kapelaan van Sint-Goedele. Over deze episode uit zijn leven is verder slechts weinig gekend.
Rond 1339 besloten zijn oom, hijzelf en een jonge kanunnik, Vrank van Coudenberg, zich terug te trekken en in afzondering te gaan leven. Vanaf 1343 betrokken ze de kluis van Groenendaal en in 1350 stichtten ze een klooster van reguliere kanunniken (Augustijnen). Alhoewel hij geen overste van het klooster was en in geleerdheid moest onderdoen voor magister Vrank werd hij toch de centrale figuur van de gemeenschap door zijn uitzonderlijk mystieke roeping. Zijn reputatie groeide en vele machtige en belangrijke figuren kwamen hem in Groenendaal opzoeken. Na zijn dood kreeg hij de bijnaam 'admirabilis' ("de wonderbare"), en hij wordt momenteel tot één van de grootste mystici uit de wereldliteratuur gerekend. In 1908 werd hij zalig verklaard door Paus Pius X.

Jan (Johannes) van Ruusbroec of Ruysbroeck, also known as the "Blessed" is considered one of the greatest mystics of the southern Netherlands. His work, originally written in Middle Dutch, was soon translated into Latin.
His studies at the collegiate school in Brussels were paid for by his uncle Jan Hinckaert, a wealthy priest and chaplain of St. Goedele Church in Brussels. From 1317 on he was also chaplain of St. Goedele for twenty-five years. We know very little about this episode in his life.
Around 1339 he decided, together with his uncle and a young canon, Vrank (Francis) van Coudenberg, to withdraw and to live in seclusion. From 1343 they moved into the hermitage of Groenendaal and in 1350 they founded a convent of canons regular. Although he was not the leader of the monastery and was inferior to master van Coudenberg in scholarship, he nevertheless became the central figure of the community through his extraordinary mystical vocation. His reputation grew and many powerful and important people came to see him in Groenendaal . After his death , he was nicknamed "admirabilis", and he is now considered one of the greatest mystics of the world literature. He was beatified by Pope Pius X in 1908.