Jan van Ruusbroec (1293–1381)

I first read this when I was sick and couldn't sleep.I figuered a book as dense as this would get me slumbering!I couldn't understand much of it but in it I heard the call to a new land of God's presence,I put the book down with a hunger that has never gone away,like a man who has has heard of a distant land and has to find it.

I've read some other works by John Ruusbroec (or Ruysbroek) and I was impressed with his intellect and his interpretation of spiritual realities. This book was not always lucid. This may be due to a less than ideal translation or ideas that are fairly complicated. It is probably at least partially due to the latter because Ruusbroec wrote the Spiritual Espousals later on because this book was said to be too ambiguous. I do get the impression that the English does not perfectly convey the show more original Latin but I think it is probably a fair translation. It merits more than a single reading. This book does contain some of his eschatology which didn't really play much of a part in other works I had read by Ruusbroec. I plan on re-reading his other works because he also was one of the few Christian mystics who utilized Trinitarian doctrine in his mystical system and I am studying Trinitarian theology right now. show less

This is the second time I've read this set of works. I had read the Classics Of Western Spirituality translation some time ago. Ruusbroec is a prominent author within the tradition of Christian Mysticism. These works are some of his most well known and well respected. They are a lot less ambiguous than his "Kingdom Of The Lovers Of God" I must say; that is probably a good thing, but I have to say that the mysterious language of the one fascinated me quite a bit. The Adornment Of the show more Spiritual Marriage is one of the more obviously trinitarian works of Christian mysticism. The tripartite framework is very obvious and is quite suitable to the methodology; and that may be what makes it one of the more clear and practical works of mystical theology. show less

A quaint, small volume translated with preface by Mother St. Jerome, of Bl. Ruysbroeck's seven steps on the ladder of love of God. Worth tucking in a pocket
and toting to Mass, early to read, later to rise to the heights with love for God. Strive for the unknowable and the eternal repose--yes, attainable by man's climbing the ladder and God's reaching down with graces to lend His Almighty Hand.