From Eckhart to Ruusbroec : A Critical Inheritance of Mystical Themes in the Fourteenth Century

The mystical relationship between Meister Eckhart and Jan van RuusbroecIn this thorough textual, historical, and doctrinal study the author seeksto clarify the relationship between two prominent mystics of the fourteenthcentury: Meister Eckhart, the German Dominican, and Jan van Ruusbroec,the Brabantine Augustinian. Special attention is paid to Ruusbroec'scriticism of mystical tenets circulating in Brabant at that time whichwere both textually and doctrinally related to Eckhart's condemned propositionsin the papal bull 'In agro dominico'. This fact implies that Ruusbroecwas confronted with the impact of the condemnation of Eckhart's doctrineson the people in Brabant. Situating Ruusbroec's life and works withinthe aftermath of Eckhart's arrival, the author elucidates Ruusbroec'sposition regarding the relevant mystical themes in the later Middle Ages,and follows a process of critical inheritance of mystical tradition fromEckhart to Ruusbroec.