Evelyn Underhill did not merely write a historical treatment of Mysticism, she herself was a mystic. A mystic, basically understood, is one who experiences God: His loving and transforming presence. And prayer is at the heart of that encounter. But how does this encounter work? What is going on in the conversation and interrelating of God and the pray-er?
In this reading, we see what Foster recognized as Underhill's desire for an "authentic spirituality and academic integrity." This reading can be difficult to understand for a few reasons. First, we must understand what Underhill is trying to do here: she is attempting to try to understand what is happening in prayer between God - the Divine Life, Reality - and the human being; penetrate some of the mystery. She is trying articulate how this happens. She is essentially exploring a theological anthropology.
Second, she uses language that is unfamiliar to us. Third, we will always have a difficult time seeing through another’s eyes and at the slant at which another views the world. Therefore, let us cock our head with hers, and try and see as she does. What would she teach us?
Read & Annotate Underhill and respond to the following on your blog (except #5):
In this reading, we see what Foster recognized as Underhill's desire for an "authentic spirituality and academic integrity." This reading can be difficult to understand for a few reasons. First, we must understand what Underhill is trying to do here: she is attempting to try to understand what is happening in prayer between God - the Divine Life, Reality - and the human being; penetrate some of the mystery. She is trying articulate how this happens. She is essentially exploring a theological anthropology.
Second, she uses language that is unfamiliar to us. Third, we will always have a difficult time seeing through another’s eyes and at the slant at which another views the world. Therefore, let us cock our head with hers, and try and see as she does. What would she teach us?
Read & Annotate Underhill and respond to the following on your blog (except #5):
- Read Underhill carefully. After each section of the reading, record what you found to be the most helpful line(s) and why. (Note: be sure to quote the lines directly.)
- On the top of page 95, Underhill writes "prayer stretches out the tentacles of our consciousness not so much towards that Divine Life which is felt to be enshrined within the striving, changeful world of things; but rather to that "Eternal truth, true Love, and loved Eternity" wherein the world is felt to be enshrined." What do you think she means by this? (Reread this and let the context help you.) How do you respond?
- What connections have you made between what Underhill writes and something else we’ve read and/or discussed in class.
- What questions do you have for Underhill?
- Mini Soul Project: Find time this weekend and week and make attempts at doing what Foster advises in “Suggested Exercise” #1, pg. 99.