Observations placeholder
van Ruysbroeck, Jan - The Adornment of the Spiritual marriage - God may touch a man from without and from within
Identifier
000902
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
There comes a time which he calls the ‘Prevenent grace of God’. Although the terminology is a little strange, the meaning is almost universal in spiritual paths and is better known as ‘the calling’ – something happens which turns you into a spiritual seeker as opposed to someone happy to end their days in the normal way.
In this simple statement I think we also have some clues as to what turned Ruysbroeck into a spiritual man – one or all of these, he is clearly speaking from experience.
A description of the experience
The Adornment of the Spiritual marriage – Roesbroeck
God may touch a man from without and from within. From without through sickness, or through the loss of external goods or of kinsmen and friends, or through public disgrace. Sometimes a man is touched also from within through sorrow and suffering, by guilt or fear of death….
The source of the experience
van Ruysbroeck, JanConcepts, symbols and science items
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Suppressions
Communing with natureContemplation and detachment
LOVE
Reducing desires
Reducing threats
Squash the big I am
Suppressing memory
Suppression of learning
Commonsteps
Asking for forgivenessChanting, mantra and prayer
Forgiveness
Friendship and companionship
Generosity
Humility
Patience
Safe House
Serving others [charity]
Tedious repetitive tasks