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[Angelus Silesius--physician and mystic]
1Mittelalterliche Literature an der Universität Zürich.
Praxis
|June 18, 1996
Summary
Johannes Scheffler, also known as Angelus Silesius, adapted the ancient Christian model of the priest as soul physician and doctor as body physician. His works explore mystical union with God through reason or emotion.
Area of Science:
- Theology
- History of Medicine
- Philosophy
Background:
- Johannes Scheffler (Angelus Silesius) was a physician and poet who explored Christian mysticism.
- He transitioned from medicine to Catholicism, becoming a priest.
- His work integrates theosophy, mysticism, and the physics of Johann Böhme.
Discussion:
- Scheffler's writings, particularly 'Cherubinische Wandersmann' and 'Heilige Seelenlust,' present two paths to mystical recognition of God: reason and emotion.
- The concept of 'unio mystica' (union with God) is central to his mystical theology.
- His mysticism emphasizes the spontaneity of salvation, expressed through diverse metaphors and paradoxical language.
Key Insights:
- The duality of spiritual and physical healing is explored through Scheffler's life and work.
- Scheffler's adaptation of the priest-physician model offers insights into 17th-century Christian thought.
- His poetry provides a unique lens into the pursuit of divine union via intellectual and emotional pathways.
Outlook:
- Further research into Scheffler's integration of medicine, philosophy, and mysticism can illuminate historical perspectives on spiritual well-being.
- Analysis of his paradoxical language may offer new interpretations of mystical experiences.
- Comparative studies with other mystical traditions could reveal broader patterns in the human quest for transcendence.