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The book of Angelus Silesius [i.e. Johann Scheffler], with observations by the ancient Zen Masters
English, German (translation)
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
Angelus Silesius
70 books30 followersAngelus Silesius is a german mystic and poet.
In 1657 Silesius published under the title Heilige Seelenlust, oder geistliche Hirtenlieder der in ihren Jesum verliebten Psyche (1657), a collection of 205 hymns, the most beautiful of which, such as, Liebe, die du mich zum Bilde deiner Gottheit hast gemacht and Mir nach, spricht Christus, unser Held, have been adopted in the German Protestant hymnal. More remarkable, however, is his Geistreiche Sinn- und Schluss-reime (1657), afterwards called Cherubinischer Wandersmann ("The Cherubic Pilgrim") (1674). This is a collection of Reimsprüche or rhymed distichs embodying a strange mystical panentheism drawn mainly from the writings of Jakob Böhme and his followers. Silesius also delighted specially in the subtle paradoxes of mysticism. The essence of God, for instance, he held to be love; God, he said, can love nothing inferior to himself; but he cannot be an object of love to himself without going out, so to speak, of himself, without manifesting his infinity in a finite form; in other words, by becoming man. God and man are therefore essentially one.
The Catholic Encyclopedia defends Silesius from the charge of panentheism. His prose writings are orthodox; "The Cherubic Pilgrim" was published with the ecclesiastical Imprimatur, and, in his preface, the author himself explains his "paradoxes" in an orthodox sense, and repudiates any future pantheistic interpretation.
Silesius also wrote prose, notably a series of tracts against Protestantism, published under the title Ecclesiologia.
In 1657 Silesius published under the title Heilige Seelenlust, oder geistliche Hirtenlieder der in ihren Jesum verliebten Psyche (1657), a collection of 205 hymns, the most beautiful of which, such as, Liebe, die du mich zum Bilde deiner Gottheit hast gemacht and Mir nach, spricht Christus, unser Held, have been adopted in the German Protestant hymnal. More remarkable, however, is his Geistreiche Sinn- und Schluss-reime (1657), afterwards called Cherubinischer Wandersmann ("The Cherubic Pilgrim") (1674). This is a collection of Reimsprüche or rhymed distichs embodying a strange mystical panentheism drawn mainly from the writings of Jakob Böhme and his followers. Silesius also delighted specially in the subtle paradoxes of mysticism. The essence of God, for instance, he held to be love; God, he said, can love nothing inferior to himself; but he cannot be an object of love to himself without going out, so to speak, of himself, without manifesting his infinity in a finite form; in other words, by becoming man. God and man are therefore essentially one.
The Catholic Encyclopedia defends Silesius from the charge of panentheism. His prose writings are orthodox; "The Cherubic Pilgrim" was published with the ecclesiastical Imprimatur, and, in his preface, the author himself explains his "paradoxes" in an orthodox sense, and repudiates any future pantheistic interpretation.
Silesius also wrote prose, notably a series of tracts against Protestantism, published under the title Ecclesiologia.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 11, 2024
After reading this, I still feel like I haven’t read Angelus Silesius properly. I can appreciate putting texts in the context of the perennial philosophy, but I would prefer to read these poems and aphorisms in a less relativistic and more authentic lens.
June 27, 2025
I discovered Silesius while reading DBH, where in The Experience of God he quotes Silesius’ most famous line: “The rose blooms because it blooms.” That sounded quite Zen to me, and I had to find out more about him. In my search, I profited twofold. I also discovered Frederick Franck, an amazing writer and artist. His drawings are captivating, and the way this book is organized, with all the Zen and Taoist commentaries, is one of the most beautiful formats I’ve ever seen a book take. A wonderful work, the kind of book you’d take to a barren island and read again and again until your final breath.
March 15, 2018
ⓒ 1985. Beautiful book of religious poetry by a 17th century mystic Lutheran turned Catholic. Franck translates from the German and illustrates as well as including quotes of zen masters on similar themes.
January 2, 2024
The translation of the text is simply musical. The translator includes short extractions from Buddhist writings which put Angelus Silesius' into a broader spiritual context, highlighting the universality of the Christian Faith and it's "contribution" to the Sophia Perennis.
January 7, 2018
This was enjoyable for the most part. I liked learning about Angelus Silesius's life, found some of the verses thought-provoking, and liked the illustrations. I didn't always find the insights that illuminating, but there were definitely some gems in there, and could very well be my own philosophical/spiritual limitations. I didn’t love this as much as the other Frederick Franck books I’ve read.
December 17, 2011
The drawings are nice, and the many quotations from Taoist, Buddhist, and Hindu scriptures and sages were also quite provocative, but I can't say I was as smitten by the verses of Angelus Silesius as the editor/artist. It was a nice warm-up for my next foray into the Tao Te Ching though.
November 22, 2015
Liked the earlier book better, not as many illustrations in this one
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews