For Lovers of God Everywhere by Housden, Roger

Occult Philosophy

For Lovers of God Everywhere

Name: For Lovers of God Everywhere
Price: 17.00 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Housden, Roger
ISBN: 9781401923877

Housden, Roger

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4.5

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover forgotten hymns of divine love from Christianity's deepest mystical hearts.

Roger Housden, celebrated for his accessible explorations of spiritual verse, presents a compelling anthology designed to reintroduce the profound beauty of Christian mystical poetry. While Sufi and Indian spiritual verse have found widespread acclaim, this collection illuminates the often-overlooked depth of Christian contemplative traditions. Featuring nearly one hundred poems, it spans centuries and geographies, from early Desert Fathers to modern voices, all unified by themes of divine longing, fervent devotion, and the ecstasy of spiritual union. Housden’s insightful introductions guide readers through each carefully selected piece.

Key themes

Divine Love & Longing Christian Mystical Tradition East Meets West Contemplation

Historical context

This work sits firmly within the Western Christian mystical tradition, bridging the gap between ancient Desert Fathers and contemporary spiritual seekers by highlighting the often-overlooked depth of contemplative poetry.

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

Rumi · Meister Eckhart · Thomas Merton · The Cloud of Unknowing

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Hay House 📅 2009 📖 240 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781401923877

Fun fact

This anthology masterfully unearths the profound beauty of Christian mystical poetry, making it accessible through Housden's insightful guidance. It excels at demonstrating the universal resonance of divine longing and union, even for those outside the Christian faith. However, readers expecting a purely secular poetic exploration or those averse to theological underpinnings might be disappointed. It successfully bridges spiritual scholarship and popular poetry, offering a vital entry point into a rich, often overlooked, tradition.

📝 Description: For Lovers of God Everywhere

Roger Housden, author of the best-selling Ten Poems to Change Your Life, celebrates the growing popularity of mystical poetry with this beautiful compilation from the Christian contemplative tradition. Although the writings of the Sufi mystics (Rumi and Hafez) and the Indian mystics (Mirabai and Kabir) have reached a wide audience in recent years, the poetry of the Christian mystics has yet to be discovered by a general audience. For Lovers of God Everywhere, a collection of nearly 100 poems from both historic and contemporary writers, heralds the reemergence of the great spiritual voices of the Christian tradition--a tradition with its own love songs to God, cries of longing, and bliss of union. In this collection, Roger introduces us to some of the foremost poets of both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. He takes us from the wisdom of the Desert Fathers to the passion of St. Augustine, through the medieval ecstasies of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena, to the subtleties of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila; and on to contemporary voices such as Rainer Maria Rilke, T. S. Eliot, and Mary Oliver. Roger's insightful commentary on each poem inspires us to take its words more deeply into our souls and shows how the mystical tradition transcends sectarian divides and speaks to the heart of humanity.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Housden successfully revitalizes the genre by curating a diverse array of voices from early Desert Fathers to modern figures, unified by their intense spiritual yearning. The collection shines for its accessibility and the warmth of its curation, making complex theological emotions feel intimate and immediate. However, readers seeking rigorous academic theology or historical criticism may find the focus on emotional resonance rather than doctrinal precision lacking. It is not suited for those who prefer systematic dogma over poetic expression. Ultimately, it stands as a beautiful, if somewhat romanticized, entry point into Christian mysticism, rewarding open hearts while potentially disappointing strict scholars.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who have found resonance in the ecstatic verses of Sufi or Indian traditions will discover a profound parallel here within the Christian mystical heart. Roger Housden’s accessible approach invites those longing for divine connection to explore nearly one hundred poems spanning centuries and geographies. It is ideal for spiritual seekers, contemplative practitioners, and literature lovers who appreciate insightful introductions that illuminate themes of fervent devotion, divine longing, and the ecstasy of spiritual union. This anthology serves as a vital bridge, reintroducing the profound beauty of Christian mysticism to a modern audience eager for depth without academic density.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the ecstatic language of Rumi or Kabir but seek its resonance within a Christian framework, this collection is for you. It’s also for those curious about the deeper, often overlooked, mystical currents flowing through Christianity, offering profound spiritual insight and…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Housden successfully revitalizes the genre by curating a diverse array of voices from early Desert Fathers to modern figures, unified by their intense spiritual yearning. The collection shines for its accessibility and the warmth of its curation, making complex theological emotions feel intimate and immediate. However, readers seeking rigorous academic theology or historical criticism may find the focus on emotional resonance rather than doctrinal precision lacking. It is not suited for those who prefer systematic dogma over poetic expression. Ultimately, it stands as a beautiful, if somewhat romanticized, entry point into Christian mysticism, rewarding open hearts while potentially disappointing strict scholars.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while rooted in Christian tradition, the universal themes of divine love, spiritual longing, and union transcend denominational boundaries. Anyone seeking profound mystical insights or beautiful spiritual poetry will find resonance here, regardless of their specific faith path.

Absolutely not. While it features foundational figures like St. Augustine and St. John of the Cross, it also includes influential contemporary voices such as Rainer Maria Rilke, T.S. Eliot, and Mary Oliver, offering a bridge across centuries and demonstrating the enduring power of this tradition.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Divine Love & Longing

Explores the fervent emotional connection mystics feel towards the divine. It showcases expressions of intense yearning for God's presence and the profound joy experienced in spiritual union, reflecting a passionate, almost romantic, relationship with the sacred, echoing biblical and devotional traditions.

Christian Mystical Tradition

Uncovers the rich, often hidden, tapestry of Christian contemplative thought. This collection highlights how figures from Desert Fathers to modern poets articulate direct, unmediated experiences of the divine, demonstrating a lineage distinct yet parallel to other global mystical paths, from East to West.

East Meets West Contemplation

This anthology uniquely bridges the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity, presenting a comprehensive view of its mystical heritage. It reveals shared spiritual concerns and expressions across different cultural and historical contexts within the broader Christian world, fostering a holistic understanding of devotion.

💬 Quotes from the book

“My soul, a thirsty deer, pants for the living waters of God, a longing that consumes me more than any earthly fire.”

“In the silent depths, I found Him not as a distant king, but as the Beloved within my own heart, a union beyond all words.”

📜 Historical context

While Sufi and Indian mystical poetry have captivated audiences, this collection elevates the long-standing, often overshadowed, Christian mystical tradition. It traces a continuous lineage of profound spiritual expression, from early desert ascetics through medieval saints and Baroque masters, culminating in significant modern voices, revealing a rich, unbroken stream of divine encounter and passionate devotion.

📚 Glossary

Mystical Poetry
Contemplative Tradition
Divine Union

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you felt a profound spiritual longing. How did you express or process that yearning, and what parallels do you find with the mystics' cries for God?
Many mystics describe divine love as an all-consuming fire. How does this metaphor resonate with your own understanding of sacred connection, or how might it challenge your preconceived notions?
Consider the idea of 'divine union.' What does this concept personally mean to you, and what practices might help you cultivate a deeper sense of oneness with the transcendent?