Review: "The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism" by Carl McColman
“Love is real, God is love and God dwells in your heart. And this God-who-is-Love wants nothing more than for you to realise what is already yours: the limitless joy of union with divine love as you behold the eyes of infinite compassion - and allow that compassion to guide your own life into care and service for others.” (pg. 1) If this resonates with you in any way, this book might be for you. I was lucky to be sent a copy of this for review, and enjoyed it much more thouroughly than I thought I might. This guide to contemplative spirituality is both an introduction to what mysticism, and specifically Christian mysticism, is, as well as being a guide to the practices that invite an embodied experience of God. Both sections are clear and comprehensive, weaving in quotes from Christian mystics through time. But the real joy of this book is the love that Carl brings to this work, both for God and community in all its wonderful variety. McColman acknowledges how oppressive and unsafe