The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance

Mysticism, in the sense of a “longing for God,” has been present in all times, cultures, and religions. But Soelle believes it has never been more important than in this age of materialism and fundamentalism. The antiauthoritarian mystical element in each religion leads to a community of free spirits and resistance to the death-dealing aspects of our contemporary culture. Religion in the third millennium, Soelle argues, either will be mystical or it will be dead.

Therefore, Soelle identifies strongly with the hunger of New Age searchers but laments the “religious fast food” they devour. Today, a kind of “democratized mysticism” of those without much religious background flourishes. This mystical experience is not drawn so much of the tradition as out of contemporary experiences. In that sense, each of us is a mystic, and Soelle’s work seeks to give theological depth, clarity, and direction.

This, her magnum opus, conjoins Soelle’s deep religious knowledge and wisdom with her passion for social justice into a work destined to be a classic of religious literature.

Part One: What Is Mysticism? Explores mysticism as it has appeared in major religious traditions and especially in traditional Christian figures, such as Meister Eckhart. Part Two: Locations of Mysticism. Tracks the sites of mystical experience in chapters on nature, sex, pain, community, and joy. Part Three: Resistance. Argues for the importance of mysticism in countering the destructive aspects of ego, group bias, materialism, and violence.