Covenant of the Heart: Meditations of a Christian Hermeticist on the Mysteries of Tradition - Softcover

Valentin Tomberg; Robert Powell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1852302771 ISBN 13: 9781852302771

Publisher: Element, 1992

Synopsis

Drawing on the ancient and often forgotten sources of esoteric Christianity, the author reflects on the mysteries of humanity’s covenant with God in history. The power of these meditations is that they reflect the author’s personal spiritual journey into the depths of God’s kingdom within — within the soul, within personal relationships, within nature, and within the cosmos.

Part one describes an encounter with the Father through the miracles of the Creation, the Fall, and, through Moses’ acceptance of the Covenant of the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments.

Part two is a meditation on the seven miracles of Christ in the Gospel of St. John. It culminates in the raising of Lazarus; the miracle of being raised from forgetfulness; sleep and death to remembrance, wakefulness, and resurrection. In this way, Lazarus becomes a paradigm for understanding the spiritual and cultural history of humanity.

Part three considers the encounter with the Holy Spirit and living out Christ’s life through the Church. We are asked to reflect on the three Kingdoms of God, humankind, and nature, which give natural order and meaning to the Christian life. The union of love and prayer in the Spirit is the focus of an epilogue, in which we are invited to see our natural breathing as breathing the breath of God.

About this title

About the Author:

Valentin Tomberg (1900-1975) was born in St. Petersberg, Russia. Born into a Lutheran family, he entered the Russian Christian esoteric tradition at an early age, having been strongly influenced by Vladimir Soloviev and by a personal experience of the Sophia at a cathedral in Holland. Under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society, he became a much loved lecturer in Holland and England. Because of conflicts within the society after Steiner's death in 1925, Tomberg eventually determined to enter the Catholic Church. Since then, he has been one of the most controversial figures within the anthroposophic movement. His conversion is often attacked, and the mere mention of his works can provoke alarm. During the latter part of his life, he resided in England, working for the BBC and devoting his time to meditation and writing. He died in Majorca.

Language Notes:

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About this edition

• Publisher: Element
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 1852302771
• ISBN 13: 9781852302771
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256