Your Soul’s Spark

Meister Eckhart, whose full name was Eckhart von Hochheim OP, (c. 1260 – c. 1328) was born around the year 1260, possibly between 1250 and 1260, in the village of Tambach, near Gotha, in the Landgraviate of Thuringia, which is now central Germany, within the Holy Roman Empire​​. The prefix "Meister" in his name translates to "Master," signifying his scholarly prestige. His birth into nobility was initially purported, however, later examinations revealed that this notion stemmed from a misinterpretation of period archives, clarifying that his Christian name was Eckhart, with the surname von Hochheim​.

Eckhart commenced his ecclesiastical journey around the age of 18, circa 1278, by joining the Dominican convent at Erfurt. His scholarly pursuits possibly led him to study at Cologne before 1280, and perhaps also at the University of Paris either before or after his time in Cologne​. His commitment to the Dominican order was substantial, as he entered the order when he was 15 and later, around 1294, began his teaching career as a lecturer on the Sentences of Peter Lombard at the Dominican convent of St. Jacques in Paris​​.

Meister Eckhart's theological and philosophical endeavors were deeply rooted in mysticism, with a notable emphasis on the union between the individual soul and God, as expressed in his sermons both in German and Latin​. His rising prominence was particularly noted during the Avignon Papacy, a period marked by increased tensions among monastic orders and diocesan clergy. Unfortunately, the latter part of his life was marred by accusations of heresy, leading to a trial by the local Franciscan-led Inquisition, and subsequently by Pope John XXII. Despite these challenges, Eckhart's teachings continued to resonate through his disciples like Johannes Tauler and Henry Suso, and his mystic philosophy continues to garner attention and appreciation in contemporary religious and academic circles​.