Observations placeholder

Meister Eckhart selected writings – edited and translated by Oliver Davies

The lack of peace that you feel can only come from your own self-will, whether you are aware of this or not.  Whatever we think – that we should avoid certain things and seek out others, whether these be places or people, particular forms of devotion, this group of people or this kind of activity - these are not to blame …; rather it is you as you exist in these things who hold yourself back, for you do not stand in the proper relation to them.

Start with yourself therefore and take leave of yourself.   Truly, if you do not depart from yourself then wherever you take refuge, you will find obstacles and unrest, wherever it may be.

Those who seek peace in external things, whether in places or devotional practices, people or works, in withdrawal from the world or poverty or self-abasement: …., they are nothing at all and cannot be the source of peace. Those who seek in this way, seek wrongly, and the further they range, the less they find what they are looking for. They proceed like someone who has lost their way: the further they go, the more lost they become......................

St Augustine says
‘Pour out so that you may be filled
Learn not to love in order that you may learn to love
Turn away, so that you may be turned towards’

In short, if anything is to be receptive and to receive it must be empty.