Ruysbroeck and the Mystics: with selections from Ruysbroeck

"Ruysbroeck and the Mystics: with selections from Ruysbroeck" by Maurice Maeterlinck is a scholarly work that explores the writings of the 14th-century mystic Jean von Ruysbroeck, presenting them alongside selections from Ruysbroeck's own texts. This work reflects a profound engagement with medieval Christian mysticism during the late 19th century, aiming to illuminate the intricate spiritual insights of Ruysbroeck, who is noted for his deep contemplative practices and theories on divine love. The likely topic of the book involves an in-depth examination of Ruysbroeck’s mystical theology, focusing on the nature of God and the soul’s union with the divine. The opening of this volume provides an introduction to both the work of Ruysbroeck and the context in which he wrote. It discusses the challenges of interpreting his mystical ideas, emphasizing the obscure and often abstract language found in his writings. Maeterlinck expresses concerns regarding the accessibility of Ruysbroeck's thoughts, which delve into the complexities of divine contemplation, the nature of love, and the mystical union between the soul and God. The initial chapters hint at a deeper exploration into Ruysbroeck's philosophy and theology, complemented by an analysis of his introspective journey and the richness of his spiritual vision. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck, also known as Count/Comte Maeterlinck from 1932, was a Belgian playwright, poet, and essayist who was Flemish but wrote in French. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911 "in appreciation of his many-sided literary activities, and especially of his dramatic works, which are distinguished by a wealth of imagination and by a poetic fancy, which reveals, sometimes in the guise of a fairy tale, a deep inspiration, while in a mysterious way they appeal to the readers' own feelings and stimulate their imaginations". The main themes in his work are death and the meaning of life. He was a leading member of La Jeune Belgique group, and his plays form an important part of the Symbolist movement. In later life, Maeterlinck faced credible accusations of plagiarism.