Contemplation and "Non-doing" in the Christian Tradition: The Case of John of Ruusbroec
A recurrent theme in many forms of contemplative practice is the need to come to a state of outward solitude (i.e., being without distractions); this provides a framework for contemplation, which ultimately can give way to a suspension of all efforts, opening up a state of inner letting-be. This con...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
2023
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In: |
Entangled Religions
Year: 2023, Volume: 14, Issue: 4 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Ruusbroec, Jan van 1293-1381
/ Contemplation
/ Plot
/ Mysticism
/ Christianity
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RelBib Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality |
Further subjects: | B
action and non-doing
B Christian contemplation B John of Ruusbroec |
Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
Summary: | A recurrent theme in many forms of contemplative practice is the need to come to a state of outward solitude (i.e., being without distractions); this provides a framework for contemplation, which ultimately can give way to a suspension of all efforts, opening up a state of inner letting-be. This contribution explores these elements in the Christian tradition following the Biblical typology of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42) with some leading authors (Clement of Alexandria, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian and Gregory the Great). A specific aspect of the Christian interpretation is that the state of ‘non-doing’ is essentially relational. This relational dimension, in which contemplation and the state of ‘letting-be’ are understood as a response to the initiative of the divine Other who is ‘the origin’ (Lat. principium), provides John of Ruusbroec with the basis to explain how action and non-doing (i.e., contemplation) can coalesce perfectly. |
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ISSN: | 2363-6696 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Entangled Religions
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.46586/er.14.2023.10222 |