Meister Eckhart's Book of Secrets: Meditations on Letting Go and Finding True Freedom

by Jon M. Sweeney, Mark S. Burrows

"I think Mark Burrows and Jon Sweeney achieve something quite rare and wonderful here. They make Eckhart clear, concise, and very compelling!" —Richard Rohr, OFM, bestselling author of  Falling Upward

An elegant rendering of the great mystic's thoughts on the mysteries of the authentic life This is a little book about soul freedom. It is a book about discovering the secret to all the things we most contentment, meaning, peace of mind, and true freedom. This skillfully edited translation of selections from the writings of Meister Eckhart provides a roadmap to the spiritual life for contemporary seekers. Eckhart takes us on a journey of discovery; a journey in which we learn to let go, relinquish our need to know everything, and lose those things that we think are important for a life of worth. And in the end he shows us that the true secret is to find yourself, you must lose yourself. Here is timeless wisdom from a medieval mystic who has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Arthur Schopenhauer, Dag Hammarskjöld, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, Rudolf Steiner, and Matthew Fox 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. Divided into five sections—Seeking the Light, Facing Darkness, Risking Love, Knowing Nothing, and Embracing Everything—the book leads readers on the path to an authentic spiritual life.

Genres: Spirituality, Poetry, Religion, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Christianity, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Jon 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.

Reviews

[Erika Skarlupka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe this book is better suited for someone looking for poetry about God. I couldn't find much that was compelling, though I did notice that everything seems to be a contradiction. There are a few beautiful pieces tucked away in there.

[Joshua Dew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook was my first exposure to the poetry of Meister Eckhart. While the introductory commentary was sparse and the reading itself somewhat mechanical, it piqued my interest in the Meister's conception of God. I'll definitely be checking out more from him in the future.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book.

When it comes to mystical writings, Meister Eckhart is a favorite - much like Rumi, Hafiz, and Khalil Gibran, the words change you at a profound core.

Worth reading again and again.

[Linus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and practical advice on practicing a spiritual path: highly recommended to any serious practitioner!

[Mark Jurgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like their previous collaboration, "Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart," Mark Burrows and Jon Sweeney have done a fabulous job in making Eckhart accessible and oh so relevant to the spiritual condition of modern folks. As with "Book of the Heart" there is a handy bibliographical reference in the back of the book.

[Alex Kalinske · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is amazing how spiritual a person can be. Admittedly, it's hard not to distract myself with explanations for Eckhart's thoughts and sentiments. To do so is against his wisdom. There's certainly something here for anyone curious, or at least patient.

[Diana Moreno · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm an spiritual person, but this book isn't about meditations or spirituality.
This book is too religious for me. Mentioning the word "God" too many times, that I lost count.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read on Christian Mysticism and showed a more enlightened take on God than orthodox sources

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book while driving to Michigan's Upper Peninsula from Detroit. It's my first book pertaining to Eckhart Tolle. I wasn't disappointed. Eckhart Tolle's material is the convergence between western religion and eastern philosophy. I used to think that wasn't possible, but I know it is now. What resonated with me most was learning to empty your mind if you ever want to truly become a master. It's one of life's greatest paradoxical lessons.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of brief thoughts/poems sometimes repetitive, a few wrapped circles around my brain, but several were incredibly meaningful and inspiring.

Favorites:

The Soul That Is Yours
Pray For Me
Have You Tasted?
Taking God With You
Possessing God
This Strange Land
Give Up God
Try Desiring Nothing
* Give Yourself To the One Way
*If You Want to Be Perfect
Where Truth Dwells
Where Are You?
Horse in the Meadow
Survival Notes
You Will Know if God Lives in You
All or Nothing
Take Good Care
*Even in You

[Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, despite there being parts I found to be a bit contrary to itself.

[Jared Kassebaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third I’ve read in their series of Meister Eckhart sermon segments restyled as poetry, it occasionally felt like they were losing steam after the first two, but ultimately contributed to my ever-present project of reconstructing my faith away from evangelical certainty and into a beautiful building of trust and presence. Eckhart gives a picture of a historic faith rooted in trust despite our groundlessness, the Wayless Way, and it’s a compelling vision of freedom and beauty, especially after a rigid faith tradition’s childhood. Good to read in that journey, but I recommend their other two collections first.

[George Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to be read like a novel, nor even like a conventional work of theology. It is better approached as one might approach the Psalms or Proverbs: a collection of meditations in which each passage can stand on its own while also contributing to a larger whole. I found it most rewarding when read slowly and contemplatively rather than analytically, allowing the words to wash over me instead of trying to force them into a single overarching argument.

Ironically, it was only once I stopped trying to work out what the book was "about" that its central message became clear. Meister Eckhart repeatedly returns to the idea that it is often we ourselves who stand in the way of our relationship with God. Rather than striving to seize control or reason our way forward, he encourages surrender, silence, self-forgetfulness, and an openness that allows God to act. The journey is less about finding God than about getting out of the way.

One of the aspects I found most fascinating was how familiar this language felt after reading Eastern traditions. While the theology and metaphysics remain distinct, the emphasis on stillness, surrender, and transcending the ego bears striking similarities. I came away not thinking that the traditions are identical, but with a greater appreciation for the ways in which very different paths can arrive at remarkably similar descriptions of the contemplative life.

For anyone approaching Meister Eckhart for the first time, my only advice would be to slow down. This is not a book to race through. It is a book to sit with.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little compendium of the wisdom of Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1328). His theme, and the theme of the authors, is that "There is a secret hidden within each one of us." To find the things which we all truly desire in our lives -- happiness, worth, meaning, true freedom -- it is suggested that each person needs to see herself/himself & all of creation with a simple [but not easily acquired] vision. It's akin to the ancient Hebrew understanding of "peace" -- harmony, integration, wholeness within ourselves,within our relationship to everything/everyone in the world about us & within our relationship to the Divine in our life. Eckhart calls it the "pathless path" which leads to the core of our being where Oneness is all in all.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of vers libre poetry is anchored by thoughts and writings from Meister Eckhart, a turn-of-the-fourteenth-century German theologian and mystic … the short poems are based on specific readings set forth in the appended “Notes and Sources for the Poems” … they are broken down into five sections: “Seeking Light,” “Facing Darkness,” “Risking Love,” “Knowing Nothing,” and “Embracing Everything” …a prime example:
“if you could see
just for a moment,
a split-second in time,
the eternally green,
birthing power of God,
you could not be
able to recall your
past and present
suffering and pain.”

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Meister Eckhart Book of Secrets" is a brilliant translation of selections from the writings of Meister Eckhart. This is a mystical theology of direct experience through detachment and the emptying of the self of all desires to discover the divine spark of the "Godhead" within the soul. This leads to an understanding that the soul's essence is not separate from the essence of "God." Although the theology of Meister Eckhart can be extremely challenging, if not totally bewildering, this book speaks to the roadmap to the spiritual life that we share with "God." This is an inspiring and provocative book that I would highly recommend.

[Rose Boyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will need to physically read this book because listening to the audible version was terrible. Although the narrator annunciated well, he was not able to flow with the reading. The breath or silence during a middle of a sentence was confusing. On another note, I do not agree with some of these ideas which were incongruent with my ideas of God and spirituality. It was not I thought, hmm interesting ideas. It was more like What? that's crazy.

[Shane Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets is a good title for this book. It’s a collection of poetry that probably should be meditated upon individually. I almost gave it a three star but realised that’s my bias against religion talking. When I step back from it being a book about God to it being a book about finding peace within, it has a lot to offer.

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why doesn’t the church talk about Miester Eckhart more?! His insights on spirituality could transform Christianity, if only more people were aware. It truly does feel like a book a beautiful secrets. I listened on Audible but am going to buy the book so I can let every line really sink in as a meditation (and highlight everything!)

[Tony Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro que es muy breve, preciso y conciso. Para bien.
Las meditaciones me generan algo distinto cuando las he leído una por una, con calma y pausa entre ellas, y leer el libro de corrido.

Cuánta sabiduría habita en la sencillez, definitivamente.
Lo encontré por casualidad, mientras revisaba la lista de títulos de Eckhart Tolle.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book for a library reading challenge, on audio. I had to speed up how fast he was reading because of how monotone he sounded. Sometimes you thought he was against God, but other times he was totally for God. I felt more confused than relaxed at the end of this book. I'm just glad it's over. No meditations in it at all.

[Sandman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and profound in its simplicity. No wait, that doesn't do it justice. When something has been intimately experienced, when something has touched you to the marrow of your soul, all words fall away. So it was with Meister Eckhart. And still, he wrote. That was the depth of his unknowing.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd mixture of profound Dominican insight and the most clichéd boomer psudo-spirituality imaginable. Perfect for mainline Protestants and readers of pop-Buddhism, who need real spiritual truth to be watered down with “find your own truth in your you-ness” to make it palatable.

[Jaymes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small book of verse encapsulates the mystical view of God in small, sutra-like reminders of your own inner knowing. While the ideas presented are awe-worthy, this sense of remembering what is true, makes the auspicious feel warm and familiar.

[Charles Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

39%

I was expecting Eckhart Tolle's work, so my mistake, but the language and thoughts are too softly put and indirect.

There is no concrete focus on pursuing one's growth from this boom. Instead, the indirect language is used more as a mask to the message.

[Rachelle Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting, which is fine. But I'm more curious to see what Eckhart says (a literal translation) than have Sweeney give it his all waxing poetic language. I couldn't stand to read Shakespeare like that, so I think I will go read another translation of Eckhart.

[Nessa Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some of the principles are somewhat outdated, they can be excused given that Meister Eckhart lived between 1260 - 1328. I had a great time listening to the book, and I wrote down a lot of the things that made me think.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Meister Eckhart. His simple spiritual philosophy of detachment and love is beautiful and calming. Reading his thoughts is a form of meditation. Just let it flow over you and relax.

[Amy]

Honestly, this is all the public library had of Meister Eckhart, and I would rather just read the original.

[K.J. Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much wisdom. (And it’s free for audible members. So, you have no excuse to finally start reading Eckhart!)