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Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		Seclusion by Johannes (Master) Eckhart   I have read many writings of both Pagan masters and the Prophets of the old and new Covenant, and have investigated seriously and with great zeal which would be the best and highest virtue by which Man could best become similar to God, and how he could resemble again the archetype such as he was in God when there was no difference between him and God until God made the creatures. If I go down to the bottom of all that is written as far as my reason with its testimony and its judgment can reach, I find nothing but mere seclusion of all that is created. In this sense our Lord says to Martha: "One thing is needed," this means: He who wants to be pure and untroubled has to have one thing, Seclusion. Many teachers praise Love as the highest virtue, like Saint Paul when he says: "Whatever exercises I undergo, if I have no Love I have nothing." I however place seclusion higher than love. First: the best about love is that it forces me to love God. But it is much more important that I force God down to me than I force myself up to God. For my eternal bliss rests upon my being united with God. For God is more able to penetrate into me and to become united with me, than I with Him. That seclusion forces God down to me, I can prove in the following way: Every creature likes to be in its natural abode, the abode that is appropriate for it is the most natural, the most appropriate abode of God, unity and purity. Both rest upon seclusion. That is why God cannot help abandoning himself to a secluded heart. The second reason why I place seclusion above love is: If love induces me to suffer anything for God, seclusion induces me to be receptive only to God. This however is superior. For while suffering, Man is still aiming at the creature through which he is suffering, though seclusion is free from all other creatures so that seclusion is receptive only for God I can prove by the following: What shall be received has to be received somewhere. Seclusion is so near to sheer nothing that there is nothing that would be fine enough that it could find space in it, but God. He is so simple and so fine that he finds room in the secluded heart.   Excerpted from Master Eckhart's Writings and Sermons.   Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials   Introduction & Directory
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