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[[Image:Meister-Ekkehard-Portal der Erfurter Predigerkirche.jpg|frame|<center>Meister Eckhart portal-[[Erfurt]] Church.</center>]]

[[Image:Meister-Ekkehard-Portal der Erfurter Predigerkirche.jpg|frame|<center>Meister Eckhart portal-[[Erfurt]] Church.</center>]]

'''Meister Eckhart''' '''[[Dominican order|O.P.]]''' (c. 1260–c. 1328), is the most common formula used to refer to '''Eckhart von Hochheim''', a [[Germany|German]] [[theology|theologian]], [[philosopher]] and [[German mysticism|mystic]], born near [[Erfurt]], in [[Thuringia]]. ''Meister'' is German for "Master", referring to the academic title ''Magister in theologia'' he obtained in [[Paris]]. Coming into prominence during the decadent [[Avignon Papacy]] and a time of increased tensions between the [[Franciscans]] and Eckhart's [[Dominican Order]] of Preacher Friars, he was brought up on charges later in life before the local Franciscan-led [[Inquisition]].  Tried as a [[heresy|heretic]] by [[Pope John XXII]], his "Defence" is famous for his reasoned arguments to all challenged articles of his writing and his refutation of heretical intent.  He purportedly died before his verdict was received, although no record of his death or burial site has ever been discovered.  Well known for his work with pious lay groups such as the [[Friends of God]] and succeeded by his more circumspect disciples of [[John Tauler]] and [[Henry Suso]], he has gained a large following in recent years.  In his study of [[Renaissance of the 12th century|medieval humanism]], [[Richard Southern]] includes him along with [[Saint Bede the Venerable]] and [[Saint Anselm]] as emblematic of the intellectual spirit of the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>R. W. Southern, ''Medieval Humanism''. Harper & Row, 1970. pp. 19-26.</ref>

'''Meister Eckhart''' '''O.P.''' (c. 1260–c. 1328), is the most common formula used to refer to '''Eckhart von Hochheim''', a German [[theology|theologian]], [[philosopher]] and [[mysticism|mystic]], born near Erfurt, in Thuringia. ''Meister'' is German for "Master", referring to the academic title ''Magister in theologia'' he obtained in [[Paris]]. Coming into prominence during the decadent [[Avignon Papacy]] and a time of increased tensions between the [[Franciscans]] and Eckhart's [[Dominican Order]] of Preacher Friars, he was brought up on charges later in life before the local Franciscan-led Inquisition.  Tried as a [[heresy|heretic]] by Pope John XXII, his "Defence" is famous for his reasoned arguments to all challenged articles of his writing and his refutation of heretical [[intent]].  He purportedly died before his verdict was received, although no record of his death or burial site has ever been discovered.  Well known for his work with pious lay [[groups]] such as the [[Friends of God]] and succeeded by his more circumspect disciples of John Tauler and Henry Suso, he has gained a large following in recent years.  In his study of medieval humanism, [[Richard Southern]] includes him along with [[Saint Bede the Venerable]] and [[Saint Anselm]] as emblematic of the [[intellectual]] spirit of the [[Middle Ages]].

==Overview==

==Overview==

Eckhart was one of the most influential 14th c. Christian [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonist]]s, and although technically a faithful [[Thomist]] (as a prominent member of the [[Dominican Order]]), Eckhart wrote on [[metaphysics]] and spiritual [[psychology]], drawing extensively on mythic imagery and was notable for his sermons communicating the metaphorical content of the gospels to laymen and clergy alike.  Major German philosophers have been influenced by his work.

Eckhart was one of the most influential 14th c. Christian Neoplatonists, and although technically a faithful [[Thomist]] (as a prominent member of the [[Dominican Order]]), Eckhart wrote on [[metaphysics]] and spiritual [[psychology]], drawing extensively on [[mythic]] imagery and was notable for his sermons [[communicating]] the [[metaphor]]ical [[content]] of [[the gospels]] to laymen and clergy alike.  Major German philosophers have been influenced by his work.

Novel concepts Eckhart introduced into Christian metaphysics clearly deviate from the common [[Scholasticism|scholastic]] canon: in Eckhart's vision, [[God]] is primarily fertile. Out of overabundance of love the fertile God gives birth to the [[Son]], the [[Logos|Word]] in all of us. Clearly (aside from a rather striking metaphor of "fertility"), this is rooted in the Neoplatonic notion of "overflow" of the One that cannot hold back its abundance of Being. Eckhart had imagined the creation not as a "compulsory" overflowing (a metaphor based on a common [[hydrodynamics|hydrodynamic]] picture), but as the free act of will of the [[triune]] nature of Deity (refer [[Trinitarianism]]). Another bold assertion is Eckhart's distinction between God and [[Godhead]] (''Gottheit'' in German). These notions had been present in [[Pseudo-Dionysius]]'s writings and [[Johannes Scotus Eriugena|John the Scot]]'s ''De divisione naturae'', but it was Eckhart who, with characteristic vigor and audacity, reshaped the germinal metaphors into profound images of polarity between the Unmanifest and Manifest Absolute. (This may interestingly be paralleled with Hinduism's [[Nirguna Brahman|Brahma Nirguna]] and [[Saguna Brahman|Brahma Saguna]], or, God without form and God with form) One of his most intriguing sermons on the "highest virtue of disinterest," unique in Christian theology both then and now, conforms to the Buddhist concept of detachment and more contemporarily, [[Kant]]'s "disinterestedness."  Meister Eckhart's ''Abgeschiedenheit'' was also admired by [[Alexei Losev]] in that contemplative ascent (reunion with meaning) is bound with resignation/detachment from the world.  The difference is that truth/meaning in the phenomenological sense was not the only result, as expressed in Eckhart's practical guide "for those who have ears to hear", but creation itself.  He both understood and sought to communicate the practicalities of spiritual (psychological) perfection and the consequences in real terms.  

Novel [[concepts]] Eckhart introduced into Christian metaphysics clearly deviate from the common [[Scholasticism|scholastic]] canon: in Eckhart's [[vision]], [[God]] is primarily fertile. Out of overabundance of [[love]], the fertile [[God]] gives birth to the [[Son]], the [[Logos|Word]] in all of us. Clearly (aside from a rather striking metaphor of "fertility"), this is rooted in the Neoplatonic notion of "overflow" of the One that cannot hold back its abundance of Being. Eckhart had imagined the [[creation]] not as a "compulsory" overflowing (a metaphor based on a common hydrodynamic picture), but as the free act of [[volition|will]] of the triune nature of Deity (refer [[Trinity|Trinitarianism]]). Another bold assertion is Eckhart's distinction between God and Godhead (''Gottheit'' in German). These notions had been present in [[Pseudo-Dionysius]]'s writings and [[Johannes Scotus Eriugena|John the Scot]]'s ''De divisione naturae'', but it was Eckhart who, with characteristic vigor and audacity, reshaped the germinal [[metaphors]] into profound images of [[polarity]] between the Unmanifest and Manifest [[Absolute]]. (This may interestingly be paralleled with Hinduism's Brahma Nirguna and Brahma Saguna, or, God without form and God with form) One of his most intriguing sermons on the "highest [[virtue]] of disinterest," unique in Christian theology both then and now, conforms to the [[Buddhist]] [[concept]] of detachment and more contemporarily, [[Kant]]'s "disinterestedness."  Meister Eckhart's ''Abgeschiedenheit'' was also admired by [[Alexei Losev]] in that contemplative [[ascent]] (reunion with [[meaning]]) is bound with resignation/detachment from the world.  The [[difference]] is that [[truth]]/[[meaning]] in the phenomenological sense was not the only result, as expressed in Eckhart's practical guide "for those who have ears to hear", but creation itself.  He both understood and sought to [[communicate]] the practicalities of [[spiritual]] (psychological) perfection and the consequences in real terms.  

Eckhart expressed himself both in learned Latin for the clergy in his tractates, and more famously in the German vernacular (at that time Middle High German) in his sermons. Because, as he said in the defence he gave at his trial, his sermons were meant to inspire in listeners the desire above all to do some good, he frequently used unusual language or seemed to stray from the path of orthodoxy. His unorthodox teachings made him suspicious to the Roman Catholic Church during the tension filled years of the Avignon Papacy, and he was tried for heresy in the final years of his life. We do know that he disappeared from the public arena before the papal verdict, and is suspected by some of continuing his ministry in anonymity. However there is no single medieval source giving evidence of this suspicion.  

Eckhart expressed himself both in learned [[Latin]] for the clergy in his tractates, and more famously in the German vernacular (at that time Middle High German) in his sermons. Because, as he said in the defence he gave at his trial, his sermons were meant to inspire in listeners the desire above all to do some good, he frequently used unusual [[language]] or seemed to stray from the path of [[orthodoxy]]. His unorthodox teachings made him suspicious to the Roman Catholic Church during the tension filled years of the [[Avignon Papacy]], and he was tried for heresy in the final years of his life. We do know that he disappeared from the [[public]] arena before the papal verdict, and is suspected by some of continuing his ministry in anonymity. However there is no single medieval source giving evidence of this suspicion.  

He is also considered by some to have been the inspirational "layman" referred to in Johannes Tauler's and Rulman Mershwin's later writings in Strasbourg where he is known to have spent time (although it is doubtful that he authored the simplistic "Book of the Nine Rocks" published by Mershwin and attributed to the layman knight from the north). On the other hand most scholars consider the "layman" to be a pure fiction invented by Rulman Mershwin to hide his authorship because of the intimidating tactics of the Inquisition at the time.  

He is also considered by some to have been the inspirational "layman" referred to in Johannes Tauler's and Rulman Mershwin's later writings in Strasbourg where he is known to have spent time (although it is doubtful that he [[author]]ed the simplistic "Book of the Nine Rocks" published by Mershwin and attributed to the layman knight from the north). On the other hand most scholars consider the "layman" to be a pure fiction invented by Rulman Mershwin to hide his authorship because of the intimidating tactics of the [[Inquisition]] at the time.  

It has also been suspected that his practical communication of the mystical path is behind the influential 14th c. "anonymous" [[Theologia Germanica]] which was disseminated after his disappearance.  According to the medieval introduction of the document, its author was an unnamed member of the Teutonian Order of Knights living in Frankfurt.

It has also been suspected that his practical communication of the mystical path is behind the influential 14th c. "anonymous" [[Theologia Germanica]] which was disseminated after his disappearance.  According to the medieval introduction of the document, its author was an unnamed member of the Teutonian Order of Knights living in Frankfurt.

The 19th century philosopher [[Schopenhauer]] compared Eckhart's views to the teachings of [[India]]n, [[Christian]], and [[Islamic]] [[mysticism|mystic]]s and [[ascetic]]s:

The 19th century philosopher [[Schopenhauer]] compared Eckhart's views to the teachings of [[India]]n, [[Christian]], and [[Islamic]] [[mysticism|mystic]]s and [[ascetic]]s:

{{Quotation|If we turn from the forms, produced by external circumstances, and go to the root of things, we shall find that [[Sakyamuni]] and Meister Eckhart teach the same thing; only that the former dared to express his ideas plainly and positively, whereas Eckhart is obliged to clothe them in the garment of the Christian myth, and to adapt his expressions thereto.|[[Schopenhauer]], ''[[The World as Will and Representation]]'', Vol. II, Ch. XLVIII}}

<blockquote>If we turn from the forms, produced by external circumstances, and go to the root of things, we shall find that [[Sakyamuni]] and Meister Eckhart teach the same thing; only that the former dared to express his ideas plainly and positively, whereas Eckhart is obliged to clothe them in the garment of the Christian myth, and to adapt his expressions thereto.[[Schopenhauer]], ''[[The World as Will and Representation]]'', Vol. II, Ch. XLVIII</blockquote>

In 1891, [[Karl Eugen Neumann]], who translated large parts of the [[Tripitaka]], found parallels between Eckhart and [[Buddhism]]. [[Shizuteru Ueda]], a third generation [[Kyoto School]] philosopher and scholar in medieval philosophy showed similarities between Eckhart's [[soteriology]] and [[zen buddhism]] in an article ("Eckhardt um zen am problem", 1989). In the 20th century, Eckhart's thoughts were compared to Eastern mystics by both [[Rudolf Otto]] and [[D.T. Suzuki]], among other scholars. Interestingly, one of the pioneer translators of Eckhart's writings to English, [[Maurice O'Connell Walshe]], was also an accomplished translator of Buddhist scriptures such as the [[Digha Nikaya]].

In 1891, [[Karl Eugen Neumann]], who translated large parts of the [[Tripitaka]], found parallels between Eckhart and [[Buddhism]]. [[Shizuteru Ueda]], a third generation [[Kyoto School]] philosopher and scholar in medieval philosophy showed similarities between Eckhart's [[soteriology]] and [[zen buddhism]] in an article ("Eckhardt um zen am problem", 1989). In the 20th century, Eckhart's thoughts were compared to Eastern mystics by both [[Rudolf Otto]] and [[D.T. Suzuki]], among other scholars. Interestingly, one of the pioneer translators of Eckhart's writings to English, [[Maurice O'Connell Walshe]], was also an accomplished translator of Buddhist scriptures such as the [[Digha Nikaya]].

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05274a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume V. Published 1909. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, May 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York

* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05274a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume V. Published 1909. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, May 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York

* [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/eckhart/sermons.html Meister Eckhart's Sermons]translated into English by Claud Field. At [http://www.ccel.org/ Christian Classics Ethereal Library].

* [https://www.ccel.org/ccel/eckhart/sermons.html Meister Eckhart's Sermons]translated into English by Claud Field. At [https://www.ccel.org/ Christian Classics Ethereal Library].

* [http://www.eckhart.de Meister Eckhart und seine Zeit] German Website, most texts in German translation, some in Latin

* [https://www.eckhart.de Meister Eckhart und seine Zeit] German Website, most texts in German translation, some in Latin

*[http://www.maitre.eckhart.free.fr ERMR] French Website of the University of Metz. Studies, bibliogarphies, links.

*[https://www.maitre.eckhart.free.fr ERMR] French Website of the University of Metz. Studies, bibliogarphies, links.

* [http://german.berkeley.edu/people/files/nlargier/meb/mebmai05.html Meister Eckhart Bibliography (1800-1997)]

* [https://german.berkeley.edu/people/files/nlargier/meb/mebmai05.html Meister Eckhart Bibliography (1800-1997)]

* [http://www.meister-eckhart-gesellschaft.de/aktuelle_eckhart.htm Meister Eckhart Bibliography (1997-2005)]  

* [https://www.meister-eckhart-gesellschaft.de/aktuelle_eckhart.htm Meister Eckhart Bibliography (1997-2005)]  

* [[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]: "[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/meister-eckhart/  Meister Eckhart]" by B. Mojsisch & O.F. Summerell.

* [[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]: "[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/meister-eckhart/  Meister Eckhart]" by B. Mojsisch & O.F. Summerell.

*" [http://www.ulb.ac.be/philo/rmblf/eckhart.html Maître Eckhart, une mystique du détachement.]"

*" [https://www.ulb.ac.be/philo/rmblf/eckhart.html Maître Eckhart, une mystique du détachement.]"

* Brown, Arthur, "[http://www.philosophos.com/philosophy_article_105.html The Man From Whom God Hid Nothing.]"

* Brown, Arthur, "[https://www.philosophos.com/philosophy_article_105.html The Man From Whom God Hid Nothing.]"

* "[http://www.eckhart.dokenstok.com/ Maître Eckhart et la mystique rhénane.]" Some humanist and sometimes esoterical views about Master Eckhart

* "[https://www.eckhart.dokenstok.com/ Maître Eckhart et la mystique rhénane.]" Some humanist and sometimes esoterical views about Master Eckhart

* [http://www.eckhartsociety.org/meister.htm] The Eckhart Society. Researchs of catholic scolars  

* [https://www.eckhartsociety.org/meister.htm] The Eckhart Society. Researchs of catholic scolars  

* [http://www.ellopos.net/theology/eckhart.htm The Meister Eckhart Site], including full text of [http://www.ellopos.net/theology/papal/index.htm the papal bull against Meister Eckhart.]

* [https://www.ellopos.net/theology/eckhart.htm The Meister Eckhart Site], including full text of [https://www.ellopos.net/theology/papal/index.htm the papal bull against Meister Eckhart.]

* [http://www.eckhartsocietyaust.org The Meister Eckhart Society of Australia.]

* [https://www.eckhartsocietyaust.org The Meister Eckhart Society of Australia.]

* [http://home.wxs.nl/~brouw724/Eckhart1.html Meister Eckhart] on www.mysticism.nl.

* [https://home.wxs.nl/~brouw724/Eckhart1.html Meister Eckhart] on www.mysticism.nl.

[[Category: Biography]]

[[Category: Biography]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]