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Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart: Meditations for the Restless Soul
Meister Eckhart (1260–1328) was a priest, a mystic, and nearly a heretic (he died before the Church court’s verdict). In the 20th century, the Roman Catholic Church rehabilitated him and the late Pope John Paul II spoke of his work with fondness.
However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, and Rudolf Steiner have all credited Eckhart as being an important influence on their thought. In addition, his work has influenced the development of 20th century American Buddhism and the Theosophical tradition.
Eckhart wrote at a time—much like our own—when society appeared to be coming apart at the seams. In the midst of all that chaos and uncertainty, he captured the many forms and stages of the love of God, the mystic path, and the journey of transformation—in language so startling that he, too, was often accused of heresy.
Now, seven centuries later, this fresh, stunning rendering of his work translates the essence of one of Christianity’s greatest poetic and spiritual voices. Here is a book that conveys the heart of Eckhart’s teaching on what it means to love God and embark on an authentic spiritual journey—a journey that is characterized by mystery, paradox, and an embrace of the unknown.
However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, and Rudolf Steiner have all credited Eckhart as being an important influence on their thought. In addition, his work has influenced the development of 20th century American Buddhism and the Theosophical tradition.
Eckhart wrote at a time—much like our own—when society appeared to be coming apart at the seams. In the midst of all that chaos and uncertainty, he captured the many forms and stages of the love of God, the mystic path, and the journey of transformation—in language so startling that he, too, was often accused of heresy.
Now, seven centuries later, this fresh, stunning rendering of his work translates the essence of one of Christianity’s greatest poetic and spiritual voices. Here is a book that conveys the heart of Eckhart’s teaching on what it means to love God and embark on an authentic spiritual journey—a journey that is characterized by mystery, paradox, and an embrace of the unknown.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2017
154 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Jon M. Sweeney
110 books85 followersJon M. Sweeney is an independent scholar and writer of popular history. He is married, the father of three, and lives in Montpelier, Vermont. He has worked in book publishing for 25 years: after co-founding SkyLight Paths Publishing, he was the editor in chief and publisher at Paraclete Press, and in August 2015 became editorial director at Franciscan Media Books.
He has written more than 20 books, seven about Francis of Assisi, including "When Saint Francis Saved the Church" and "The Complete Francis of Assisi." HBO has optioned the film rights to "The Pope Who Quit."
Jon's first 20 years were spent as an involved evangelical (a story told in the memoir "Born Again and Again"); he then spent 22 years as an active Episcopalian (see "Almost Catholic," among others); and on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in 2009 he was received into the Catholic Church. Today, Jon is a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a rabbi. He loves the church, the synagogue, and other aspects of organized religion. He would never say that he's "spiritual but not religious."
In all of his writing, Jon is drawn to the ancient and medieval (see "The Road to Assisi," and "Inventing Hell"). Many of his books have been selections of the History Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, and Quality Paperback Book Club.
He has written more than 20 books, seven about Francis of Assisi, including "When Saint Francis Saved the Church" and "The Complete Francis of Assisi." HBO has optioned the film rights to "The Pope Who Quit."
Jon's first 20 years were spent as an involved evangelical (a story told in the memoir "Born Again and Again"); he then spent 22 years as an active Episcopalian (see "Almost Catholic," among others); and on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in 2009 he was received into the Catholic Church. Today, Jon is a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a rabbi. He loves the church, the synagogue, and other aspects of organized religion. He would never say that he's "spiritual but not religious."
In all of his writing, Jon is drawn to the ancient and medieval (see "The Road to Assisi," and "Inventing Hell"). Many of his books have been selections of the History Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, and Quality Paperback Book Club.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 27, 2019
My favorite poem from this collection:
“This Inner spark
There is something in me so bright and shining in itself that the darkness I fall into or make whether in despair or delight cannot thwart the flow of this inner light. “
I’m always looking for a new Christian Mystic. I recently found Meister Eckhart who lived in the 1300s. He was German and Dominican and his brothers were in Inquisitions looking for heretics. Eckhart came under suspicion of being a heretic himself for writing the way he did. He was brave to put out a body of work so full of love and light the way he did.
Most of these poems are very touching. They remind me of Rumi in many ways. He speaks of God with such intimacy. This has 210 pages of poems. I took my time reading these and let my heart sing with them. I am ordering this book now so I can read these poems more often.
There is power and hope in these pages. There is light and love and the theme or emptying yourself to fill yourself up with God. My heart really needed this book right now. It really spoke to me.
“This Inner spark
There is something in me so bright and shining in itself that the darkness I fall into or make whether in despair or delight cannot thwart the flow of this inner light. “
I’m always looking for a new Christian Mystic. I recently found Meister Eckhart who lived in the 1300s. He was German and Dominican and his brothers were in Inquisitions looking for heretics. Eckhart came under suspicion of being a heretic himself for writing the way he did. He was brave to put out a body of work so full of love and light the way he did.
Most of these poems are very touching. They remind me of Rumi in many ways. He speaks of God with such intimacy. This has 210 pages of poems. I took my time reading these and let my heart sing with them. I am ordering this book now so I can read these poems more often.
There is power and hope in these pages. There is light and love and the theme or emptying yourself to fill yourself up with God. My heart really needed this book right now. It really spoke to me.
December 9, 2021
Poems Of Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart (1260 -- 1327) was a Dominican monk and scholar who wrote in both Latin and German. His work has become influential to a wide group of people from many different religious and spiritual traditions and from many walks of life. Eckhart is a rare spiritual thinker who appeals both to the mind and the heart.
This short book, "Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart: Meditations for the Restless Soul" largely makes an appeal to the heart. It consists of short poems derived from the work of the great German mystic and does not presuppose prior familiarity with Eckhart. The poems in the book are derived from Eckhart's writings but are not literal translations. Eckhart wrote in prose but his language frequently is full of poetry and paradox. The authors of this collection are Jon Sweeney, an independent scholar and author of several popular books about religious figures and Mark Burrows, a poet and a scholar of medieval theology.
The poems in the book are short and in a variety of forms. They are for the most part effective in their own right as poetry. The book includes a short introductory text and introductory poem, "Opening the Heart's Door", a concluding poem, "Enough Now" and an Afterword, "Seeking God on the Wayless Way", a phrase which captures much of Eckhart. The poems are grouped under five headings each of which captures an important theme in Eckhart: 1. Our Soul-Life; 2. Letting Go; 3. The Inner Spark (which Eckhart often called the Funkelin) 4. Radiance and 5. Without Why. Eckhart is perhaps best-known for his famous phrase and teaching of Living without Why.
I found the poems inspiring and thought that they captured well Eckhart's teachings. Each poem has a note at the end of the book giving its source in Eckhart's writings. It is useful to reflect upon these poems both in themselves and in understanding Eckhart whose work is notoriously difficult and obscure.
A poem I especially liked is titled "Moses" and is taken from part two of the volume, "Letting Go". This work is unusual because it is derived from a Latin writing of the Meister, his commentary on the Book of Exodus which shows Eckhart's understanding of and respect for Jewish sources. Here is the poem "Moses" from the book.
"On the holy mountain
the lonely man dared
not look, and
hid his face.
On that windy outcrop
The single man was deathly
afraid even to lift his eyes
above the rocks.
Only when he, lonely and alone,
turned away from what he knew
were the hidden things of God
suddenly before him."
This poem beautifully ties in Eckhart's own spiritual themes with the work of great Jewish law-giver.
This is a good book to read when one is alone. It also would make a gift for spiritually-inclined friends. The book is not intended as a substitute for those who want to struggle with Eckhart's own words or to learn more about him. Readers wanting a recent overview of Eckhart's life, times, and thought may be interested in combining this book with Joel Harrington's study, "Dangerous Mystic: Meister Eckhart's Path to the God Within".
Robin Friedman
Meister Eckhart (1260 -- 1327) was a Dominican monk and scholar who wrote in both Latin and German. His work has become influential to a wide group of people from many different religious and spiritual traditions and from many walks of life. Eckhart is a rare spiritual thinker who appeals both to the mind and the heart.
This short book, "Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart: Meditations for the Restless Soul" largely makes an appeal to the heart. It consists of short poems derived from the work of the great German mystic and does not presuppose prior familiarity with Eckhart. The poems in the book are derived from Eckhart's writings but are not literal translations. Eckhart wrote in prose but his language frequently is full of poetry and paradox. The authors of this collection are Jon Sweeney, an independent scholar and author of several popular books about religious figures and Mark Burrows, a poet and a scholar of medieval theology.
The poems in the book are short and in a variety of forms. They are for the most part effective in their own right as poetry. The book includes a short introductory text and introductory poem, "Opening the Heart's Door", a concluding poem, "Enough Now" and an Afterword, "Seeking God on the Wayless Way", a phrase which captures much of Eckhart. The poems are grouped under five headings each of which captures an important theme in Eckhart: 1. Our Soul-Life; 2. Letting Go; 3. The Inner Spark (which Eckhart often called the Funkelin) 4. Radiance and 5. Without Why. Eckhart is perhaps best-known for his famous phrase and teaching of Living without Why.
I found the poems inspiring and thought that they captured well Eckhart's teachings. Each poem has a note at the end of the book giving its source in Eckhart's writings. It is useful to reflect upon these poems both in themselves and in understanding Eckhart whose work is notoriously difficult and obscure.
A poem I especially liked is titled "Moses" and is taken from part two of the volume, "Letting Go". This work is unusual because it is derived from a Latin writing of the Meister, his commentary on the Book of Exodus which shows Eckhart's understanding of and respect for Jewish sources. Here is the poem "Moses" from the book.
"On the holy mountain
the lonely man dared
not look, and
hid his face.
On that windy outcrop
The single man was deathly
afraid even to lift his eyes
above the rocks.
Only when he, lonely and alone,
turned away from what he knew
were the hidden things of God
suddenly before him."
This poem beautifully ties in Eckhart's own spiritual themes with the work of great Jewish law-giver.
This is a good book to read when one is alone. It also would make a gift for spiritually-inclined friends. The book is not intended as a substitute for those who want to struggle with Eckhart's own words or to learn more about him. Readers wanting a recent overview of Eckhart's life, times, and thought may be interested in combining this book with Joel Harrington's study, "Dangerous Mystic: Meister Eckhart's Path to the God Within".
Robin Friedman
February 3, 2024
Lovely excerpts from the 12th century mystic's writings presented in poetic form.
February 12, 2019
I just love this little book. The authors are to be commended for making Eckhart, as Richard Rohr says, "clear, concise, and very compelling." I might add accessible too. The source notes at the end of the book are quite handy. I enjoyed going back to Eckhart's original writings after reading many of the poems. This is a book I intend to keep on my nightstand for a long time as a portal to contemplative prayer.
December 27, 2017
Really liked this book. Is inspirational. Teaches Christ in you. Is classified poetry but doesn't read as such. You will find it uplifting in this day of negativity from a 14th century mystic. Don't let the word mystic scare you off as is Biblical throughout. Thanks to Goodreads.
March 18, 2025
Delightful and short book. Would highly recommend to any fellow "faith-strugglers"--it presents a God much bigger and yet more intimate than that of traditional, dogmatic religion. While listening to it, I came across various gems from the "Dominican Hafiz.” One that I particularly liked was, "When I seek God with something in mind, the best I get is the something I had in mind." And, given my own struggles with faith during the last year in my life (leading to the rupture of that faith a few years ago), I found this quote insightful and helpful too:
“It’s true: Sometimes you have to break things if you want to grasp God in them. In the breaking, we allow what’s holy to take form in us.”
“It’s true: Sometimes you have to break things if you want to grasp God in them. In the breaking, we allow what’s holy to take form in us.”
June 1, 2021
2021 bk 124. Meister Eckhart's books were recommended by my minister. She had based a series of sermons around his teacher and I wanted to explore more. For the non-theologian, she recommended this series of poem meditations which share his message in his most simple and a poetic form. When I read poetry I will mark one or two in a book that I want to go back and read again. I just counted my slips and there are 22 poems that I will re-read and think about. This is strictly food for thought about an individual's way of thinking about God and faith.
February 2, 2025
Absolutely beautiful expressions of genius
March 1, 2025
A worthwhile read, both as a poetic introduction to the contours of Eckhart's preaching and as a guide for where to go deeper, as each poem has a citation to follow.
May 8, 2018
I received this book as a give-a-way. It is a beautiful little volume--just perfect for quiet moment meditations. It is not something to be read at once, but savored and thought about. Many of the poems rang very true to me and gave me much to ponder. A few of them just didn't jive with my theology/world view, and that was a bit jarring to the idea of being a book of meditation. In all though, it is a beautiful little volume that has the potential to help us look at ourselves in relation to our Deity. Although Eckhart was coming from a Christian point of view, I think these poems could lead anyone to understand their relationship to the Divine in a more intimate way. This is not a one time through experience. I know I will return to this book as I continue my personal path of Discipleship.
November 20, 2017
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a good book of sayings of Meister Eckart gathered together as poems. Short and too the point.
This is a good book of sayings of Meister Eckart gathered together as poems. Short and too the point.
September 19, 2018
Really beautiful verse and an illuminating path to Eckhart's sermons.
January 29, 2019
Love poems to God from a Christian perspective, with a flourish of eastern thought peaking through. Very repetitive, but very nice.
May 1, 2019
good book. I love poetry.
July 25, 2025
Gorgeous verses. I think these writers did something great by "versifying" Eckhart who is notoriously challenging to read. Would read agin.
August 5, 2021
Brought me back to the now. Glimpses of heaven.
August 30, 2023
The subtitle is truer than I thought, and as I come to terms in life with the struggle of finding myself -- and finding myself mystically in God -- and the realization of how this struggle never ceases, this book landed at a point in my life where poems seem to make the most sense to me. Structured as poems, these quotes by Eckhart are digestable and devotional, as his sermons and non-academic writings tried to be. The idea of the "wayless way", one of his most famous ideas, has helped illuminate some of the darkest corners of my intuition where the absence of obvious grand purpose to each day or season or pain or struggle can otherwise seem pointless. There is no purpose, there is no way, except that we love and care for others and create beauty for as long as we get the chance to. That is the wayless way, the letting go of the need for a specific way. A new stage on my spiritual journey seems to have been pointed to me, as I learn to walk in what feels like darkness, no light even enough to guide my feet, and now, God is asking me to run. I don't need light to run, just trust. I don't need to be vindicated or justified in the eyes of culture or society or my homeland in order to run. I am excited to dig more into Eckhart after this. I am already re-reading so many of these pages.
August 29, 2019
I admit that I've found Meister Eckhart esoteric and strange. I've found his mysticism vague and opaque but Jon Sweeney's and Mark Burrow's poetic renderings have captured my imagination and I've copied out several of these prayer/poems. This is really solid stuff and makes my soul hunger for a deeper connection with the Divine.
March 22, 2022
I was at a friend’s house for contemplative prayer and he read a passage from this book. I went home and ordered it. Such a beautiful book filled with wisdom and peace. Each page is a loving refuge.
Read
April 6, 2022The emptiness reminds me more of Cthulhu than Yahweh. Maybe that's why I think Satan has long taken God's throne...
October 23, 2023
Each page is a beacon, compass for the heart and soul.
October 29, 2023
You need a quiet afternoon to read this poetry collection. Meister Eckhart is a true mystic seeking a simple yet profound way to God which is actually no way at all.
January 1, 2024
I quite liked this book, it was very interesting how he formulated everything and it made me question stuff.
November 22, 2024
It’s ok. Lots of encouragement to “empty yourself” in order to be filled by God. Mystical advice that could mean a lot of different things to different people
April 3, 2025
Now I just wanna read the meister himself
April 14, 2025
There's a great free audio book on Spotify. Meditations for the Restless Soul. Indeed.
September 1, 2022
„On our best days and our worst, in times of both clever and confused, our life is finally summed in this: we are made to love without reason, to breathe in the wide open plain of wonder, to ponder without asking why, because in God there is no why to be found, no reason to be known beyond the flame of ever whyless love.“
„You are the Here in all my wandering and the Yes in all my wondering and the Love in nothing less than everything“
„You are the Here in all my wandering and the Yes in all my wondering and the Love in nothing less than everything“
February 25, 2025
even better the next time around. i always find more to relate to with each reading. very lovely and meaningful poems, thoughts, insights. even better the 3rd time around. it is a book you can read daily over and over and still gain insight.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews