The history of mysticism is a history of the love for God… For mystical consciousness, it is essential that everything internal become external and be made visible. A dream wants to be told, the “inner light” wants to shine, the vision has to be shared. — Dorothee Soelle
Dorothee Soelle (1929-2003) was a German Lutheran liberation theologian, famous for developing the concept of “Christofascism” — the toxicity that results from the union between Christianity and right-wing totalitarianism — and for declaring “Every theological statement must be a political statement as well” (in her book Against the Wind: the Memoir of a Radical Christian).
Some Christians who prioritize the social/political dimension of their faith often seem to have no time for contemplation and meditation. But Dorothee Soelle refused to throw spirituality and mysticism under the bus in her quest for a socially engaged faith; indeed, she wrote a luminous book about the social dimension of mysticism, called The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance. The above quote comes from that book.
Make no mistake: Soelle rejects any “spirituality” that is escapist or otherworldly. Her mysticism is decidedly down-to-earth. But that’s been true of many, if not most, of the mystics of western culture. But in her quest to proclaim a mysticism that is socially engaged, she offers great insight into how to make mysticism practical.
And how do we make mysticism practical? We look for ways to bring our inner and outer lives into harmony. In Soelle’s words, we make our inner lives visible. We not only embody an experiential relationship with the Divine, but we manifest it in the external circumstances of our lives. If we contemplate the God of infinite mercy, then we strive to live merciful lives. If we meditate on the God of compassionate justice, then we orient the totality of our lives, external as well as internal, toward justice and compassion. And so forth.
This is not always easy, and I believe that the forces in our society that benefit from injustice and inequality would just as soon have mystics keep their spirituality to themselves. And some mystics are called to lives of solitude and seclusion — but many others are called to live out their deep love for the Divine in the midst of the messiness of ordinary life. If that’s who you are, then take Dorothee Soelle’s words to heart: cultivate your silence-loving heart, and let that heart direct your life so that you share your vision with others: a vision where love reigns supreme, we work together on behalf of justice and peace, and the experience of Divine Union is meant for everyone.
I am currently traveling to speak with contemplative communities in Virginia and Maryland. While I am on the road, I am reposting articles the AnamChara archive. Today’s article was first published on February 11, 2025. I’m reposting it especially to share with new readers, while trusting that longtime subscribers will enjoy revisiting it.
