The Way of the MysticsWho is a mystic? Simply put, a mystic is someone who believes there are realities to life that are beyond what can be perceived by our rational minds or described in words, and not only believes this in the abstract, but practices it concretely. If you are a Christian-Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic-who is living a vital, spirit-filled relationship with God you can be considered a mystic and can learn spiritual practices from those who have gone before.The Way of the Mystics invites us to take a journey to the heart of our faith by examining the stories of thirteen of Christian history's most revered mystics. These spiritual pioneers devoted their lives to exploring a deeper communion with God and through their examples show us how we can apply spiritual wisdom to our own lives.The mystics featured in this book are from different centuries, countries, and Christian traditions but all have been divinely blessed to transcend the limitations of worldly concerns and fully enter the spiritual realm-a place that so often seems closed off to us. The Way of the Mystics offers insights into the lives of such familiar figures as St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and others. The authors explore these spiritual giants' experiences, the movements they founded or influenced, and the controversies they generated, offering nuggets of truth distilled from their voluminous and often enigmatic writings. In addition, the book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.

John Michael Talbot is the founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a creative Franciscan community that is helping to revitalize ancient contemplative and monastic traditions in the twenty-first century. Known as the "Troubadour for the Lord," Talbot is Catholic music's number one recording artist with over thirty albums to his credit and sales topping four million copies.

Steve Rabey is a prolific writer who has written numerous books and hundreds of articles about religion, spirituality, history, and popular culture for magazines, newspapers, and Web sites. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Christianity Today, New Age, and Publishers Weekly.