The Roots of Christian Mysticism
Reading List.

"The key to a Christian conception of studies is the realization that prayer consists of attention." Simone Weil

General

Olivier Clement: The Roots of Christian Mysticism.
F. C. Happold: Mysticism.
William Johnston: Mystical Theology.
Andrew Louth: The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition.
Evelyn Underhill: Mysticism.
Rowan Williams: The Wound of Knowledge.

The Gospels

Raymond Brown: An Introduction to the New Testament.
Laurence Freeman Jesus: The teacher within.
Kahlil Gibran: Jesus The Son of Man.
Marvin Meyer The Gospel of Thomas.
Augustine of Hippo: Confessions . Particularly recommended are Maria Boulding’s and Henry Chadwick’s.

The Desert Tradition

Athanasius: The Life of Anthony.
Thomas Merton: The Wisdom of the Desert.
Benedicta Ward: The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers.

Evagrius

Evagrius: The Praktikos and Chapters on Prayer (Cistercian Publications).

John Cassian

The Classics of Western Spirituality – John Cassian – Conferences (selection).
Ancient Christian Writers Boniface Ramsey O.P.– John Cassian – The Conferences.

St. Benedict

Esther de Waal: Seeking God.
Joan Chittister: The Rule with commentary.

Cloud of Unknowing

Evelyn Underhill’s translation has useful essay by her as introduction.
Any translation.

Richard Rolle

Hodder and Stoughton: Fire of Love.
Richard Rolle: The English Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality).

Julian of Norwich

Julian of Norwich in Classics of Western Spirituality series.
Members of the Julian Shrine Enfolded in Love.
Gloria Durka: Praying with Julian of Norwich.

Walter Hilton

Evelyn Underhill’s edition of Scale of Perfection for good essay.
Sitwell’s translation.