Mysticism - Hadewijch - The Theology and Writings of the Beguine Mystic of Loving the Divine Abyss
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- čas přidán 20. 01. 2022
- God is an Abyss of Love only ultimately discovered through Insanity, Abjection and Radical Un-Faith - This is the startling mystical theology of the 13th century Beguine Mystic Hadewijch. While her life remains mysterious, her complete works seem to come down to us virtually intact despite going virtually unstudied for nearly 800 years. In her Visons, Letters and Poetry we are witness to one of the most innovative and shocking mystical insights into esoteric Christianity to emerge from the middle ages - that reality is fundamentally Divine Love approached through a desire more intense and torturing than Hell itself. Hadewijch's writings remain some of the most daring, even alarming but also systematic and curated in the history of Christian mysticism. I hope you can join me as we divine into the mystical thought of this amazing medieval woman.
Make sure to check out Zevi's series on mysticism over @SeekersofUnity and his episode here: • The Making of Mysticis...
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#mysticism #hadewijch #beguines
Ay, minne, ware ic minne
Ende met minnen minne u minne!
Ay, minne, om minne ghevet dat minne
Die minne al minne volkinne.
Recommended Readings:
Hadewijch: The Complete Works - 978-0809122974
Swan - The Wisdom of the Beguines - 978-1629190082
McGinn - The Flowering of Mysticism - 978-0824517434
Mommaers - Hadewijch. Writer - Beguine - Love Mystic - 978-9042913929
McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - 978-0812974218
Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by
becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
or a one time donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Your support is profoundly appreciated!
Its the age old war between the Ein-Sof and Solar Logos crowds.
Thank you Justin. It's an honor to call you a friend and a pleasure to be creating educational content alongside you on the topics we love. You set a high bar for the rest of us, both in your scholarship and your thoughtfulness. Looking forward to many more mystical, scholarly years together. With love, Zevi
I totally share this sentiment and I really honored to share this platform and project of making topics like these - high quality, intellectually rigorous, deeply sympathetic and truly accessible - with folks like you. It's a blessing, to be sure. Here's to many more years of friendship and working together!
@@TheEsotericaChannel
Is there a specific episode on the Tselem astral body?
Thanks for the high quality content and making it very approachable.
@@ron1313 not yet but I'm planning to get to it
@@TheEsotericaChannel
Thanks for the quick response. I found a old lecture
czcams.com/video/lkQQ9gKZNF0/video.html
I'm glad you guys paired up in research. I've been keeping up with both of your channels. Good stuff
As a Christian, I appreciate your opening section. I see a lot of over simplification of Christianity and its history thrown around esoteric and similar corners.
Wow, I resonate with the idea of "unfaith" on such a visceral level. I sometimes tell people I went through an atheist detox - that in order to discover any kind of real faith I had to completely deny it. I feel so weirdly connected to this idea and I really want to read her work now!
Atheism then is a rite of passage to deep spirituality!
While I'm still very much an atheist, I respect that you've entertained more ideas! Too many religious people are not very thoughtful, and have dangerously cartoonish understandings of other people's perspectives.
I became an atheist at 17, grew up Catholic and later tried a Lutheran approach, because I felt that people SHOULD understand their faith on their own terms, but it never satisfied me.
Because of my atheist journey, I realized the knowledge I craved was no only physical and numerical, but also spiritual. My atheism, in a way, opened me up to receive a waterfall of knowledge, when the droplet of dogma wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Your justing looking for your top 😂
A Kabbalist teacher I listen to interpreted Jacob’s trajectory as an example of a type that needs to “run away from home,” as it were, before reconnecting there.
I've learned through the years to not hate the religion itself, but those that use Christianity to push their own bigotry and deceptive behaviors. Basically I go by the phrase 'hate the sin, not the sinner,' which is funny to me since I'm Pagan! You are completely right that anyone that wants to have a well-rounded view on Mysticism needs to look into all works from all branches of religions, and that includes all of the Abrahamic religions. That is where Mystics would've also been, and they would've been writing from that viewpoint! Despite my religious views being different, there's plenty that can be taken from the works by these authors, and I think more people need to understand that. Wonderful and fascinating video as always! ❤
I appreciate this sentiment.
Bigot?
I agree with you
No people are below dignity, and no ideas are above scrutiny - maajid Nawaz
This is the approach that I have had to take as will
This is absolutely fascinating. There is so much here that I feel I’d need to watch several times, and take notes, and/or look into the reading, in order to go deeper. The different forms and modes of experiencing love are quite intriguing (making me want to map/contemplate them). But I’m also struck by your (her) description of the abyss, and the betrayal of love, IN ORDER to experience it most deeply. I feel the pain and tension of duality and unity, most acutely, here. The dance of polarity, of opposites, in order to experience unity. So thought provoking. Thank you for this. 🙏🏻💛
There's so much going on in her writings, it's truly fascinating!
Begin the Beguine again.
Thank you for this excellent work! I am a (non-Christian) student of theology and philosophy in Leuven. It’s lovely to hear such a well-researched and thoughtful account of an important Flemish mystic not often remembered.
As a Pagan minister and seminarian, I do believe the disregard, and even hate for Chrisitianty among esotericists is directly a result of trauma and religious abuse at the hands of the church.
Most American Pagans (myself included) are ex-Christians who were harmed with legalism at their lowest moments.
I take it as a work within myself, and to encourage my parishioners, to heal and not paint an entire religion in broad strokes.
There are a lot of spiritually abused out there. Structures of men’s beliefs stirred in a deadly mixture of law and grace.
I've been waiting for this one! Thank you so much. I've recently been studying Hilma af Klint. A Christian Theosophist now credited with being the first abstract artist in Western painting who received the insperations for her art during séances. Truly fascinating.
I first read Hadewijch last year and immediately fell in love with her writings. Very glad to see some great commentary on her!
I am Catholic and I love your channel. My niche within the Catholic tradition is the teaching of the Mystics and the Mystical tradition. Honestly, I appreciate all the information you provide; especially knowing, you are not going to gloss over the bad behavior (and there has been plenty of it) within Catholicism. Thanks for all your work!
I really do my best to name the good and the will, the weal and the woe - otherwise, I just don't feel like I'm being honest.
For those who would like to know more about the Catholic faith ,Fr Chris from the Divine Mercy channel, series : Explaining the faith. Bishop Barron has a great ministry as well , Word on Fire. The Franciscan Friars and The Fathers of Mercy give great homilies.
Good to see another catholic in this channel:)
You are correct. Being criticized by both extremes is a great indication that your academic nuance is sufficiently precise and accurate so as to make no ideologue happy. 😊🤗
I get really touchy when people are genuinely anti-Christian, because I grew up Christian and had very positive experiences with the church (though I know that's obviously not the case for everybody!). I have always been very comfortable watching your channel, because you've never been anti-Christian. Anti- certain practices, of course, but who isn't? You're definitely hitting the happy medium, and it makes your content both more enjoyable and less intellectually biased. I love seeing a new Esoterica video get uploaded!
Thank you, this was wonderfully inspirational. I went to a Benedictine high school, so powerful women and mysticism were front and center. The rest of the world is missing out.
Sister Mary Pious (who was later known to me as “Bernice”, once told us all belief and knowledge is both wonderful and terrible, and certainty is dangerous. That memory came back today.
I can't believe that "Benedictine high school" is something that actually exists in the same world that I'm living in. This made my day! Thank you for sharing it. 🙂
I may have skipped class today, but at least I can spend my morning coffee learning something more important like this anyways. Appreciate the videos! I'm also currently reading Philosophy of Mysticism by Richard Jones because of you, half way through and is a very excellent book on all the views of mysticism.
I'm absolutely shocked how tightly my mystical beliefs align with hers. I'm not a Christian (they would call me an Apostate I suppose), but the idea that Love is literally "all there is" and is the prime substrate upon which everything else emanates from, is my own personal belief born of one indescribably profound spiritual experience plus years of searching. I feel like I could sit down with her over some beers and we would totally bond haha. Thank you for teaching us about her...
A person who can deliver a truly objective and intellectual presentation on CZcams is so rare, like a pearl of great worth. Dr. Sledge is that pearl. He is simply a great pleasure to listen to.
Had it not been you & your channel I would have never known about so many esoteric traditions of Western Civilization. I would have lived the imagined truth that ‘Only India, the land of Yogis and Gurus had truth’ Thank you so much🙏🙏
Everywhere and all people's have deep wells, glad to showcase this amazing woman's thought and life.
Yes, you are doing most everything right!! I can't imagine why anyone who seriously listens to your content would think that you are either anti-Christian or that you inappropriately defend Christianity. You obviously see the good and great as well as the bad and horrific of every form of spirituality that you discuss. And that, next to your comprehensive grasp of esotericism and your uncanny ability to explain it so clearly to us, is what makes your presentations so compelling. Profound Gratitude!! Prester Bob
Professor, thank you for this! I had never encountered this amazing thinker and mystic before. I agree that there is a puzzling disregard for Christianity in the world of contemporary occultism and mysticism. I also admit that I have played my own part in that and I appreciate being challenged to revise my approach.
We can all learn and grow, and glad to make her better known. She's amazing!
Justin🙏 your the best 🙏 and I love how you champion women ❣️ you got me on one for The Flowing Light of the Godhead🥰❣️🙏 I'll be starting a book club soon 🙏 forever grateful 🙏 oh and I rock my esoterica t-shirt often 🙏 stay blest my friend 🙏
As a former student of J.Z. Smith and current Episcopal priest, I completely agree with your assessment of the riches of Christian mysticism existing within the sewer of official Christian culture. Hadewijch is new to me. Thank you for the introduction.
Thank you for trying to help us with our anti-Christian prejudice. It is something I struggle with all the time. As you say, it is a complex history, as with all older religions. One has to see it in its entirety-the heinous and evil as well as the beautiful, inspirational and even sometimes progressive. Not an easy thing to do.
As an atheist witch I love learning about any kind of mysticism. I found this really interesting!
You and Zevi are my favorite channels on CZcams. Really, truly diamonds in the rough. Thank you for all of your amazing work.
Also... Mad wimpel flex 😂
Love before and after the abiss, always :)
Medieval Trinity story, suspended in time by you, beautifully❣️
Thk u 🙏
Her poetry is a great gift to both the world and the Dutch language. Thank you so much for this video. Moogt ge baden in minne!
I've watched most of your videos. I've always loved that you are NOT biased
Oh I'm biased, I just try to keep it in check.
Wonderful presentation. Very balanced between problems and potentials of mysticism at the time of 13the century. Good recommendations for further reading. Excellent summary and intriguing prospects for today, some 700 years late. Thank you.
Amen
As a Christian I agree so much. There is so much spiritual beauty in the church fathers and scripture. They say sometimes the worst part about Christianity is the Christian’s not the faith. And to me that is regardless of whether Jesus was historical, not , or immaculately conceived and was resurrected. The story beneath the scripture and the spiritual foundation has been life changing. Or put another way filled the hole in my heart only Christianity could fill. Even if many may see me as a heretical Christian. But hey maybe that’s why I’m so in love with the faith. Thanks for the video.
Great work, Dr. Sledge! One of my least favourite aspects of contemporary discussions of mysticism is the tendency for people like Alan Watts to act as if the teachings of the Christian mystics that they like (like Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart etc.) are somehow fundamentally different and separable from Christianity as a whole. As if Eckhart or Hadewijch were just Buddhists dressed in Christian clothing. This not only misses the point of what these mystics were actually saying and what makes them unique, but ignores how deeply rooted a lot of their more seemingly radical ideas are within the broader Christian philosophical tradition.
Yeah, same with medieval occultists like Agrippa or dee - they were pious, if not unusual, Christians
@Amy Wade please don't divorce Christ from Christianity. Any New Age or Oriental reading will inevitably lead to error when it comes to reception of the Gospels.
I used to do the same until I recently rejoined the flock.
Anyways, the same could apply to any religious figure.
The New Age tendency to mix and match as one pleases is ruining people's spiritual and critical insights, chaining them to gurus who will demand money and devotion for the next piece of their puzzle.
Don't take this comment harshly, though, I'm not trying to disrespect you. Have a nice day.
What about tersa of avalia
What about tersa of avalia
What a great episode. Thank you:)
It is fair to recognize the insights and great deepness of Christian Mysticism. The weight of the exoteric side of Christianity seems to have outshined the great mystics this tradition has given us, such as Ruysbroeck, , Hadewijch, Teresa de Jesús, Juan de la Cruz, Meister Eckhart, all-time giant, etc.
It’s absolutely insanely crazy how you answer my question without any previous messages I love it and I am love and light thank you once again
🔥❤️🔥 Much love to you all at Esoterica! Thanks for the learning! 🙏
I love this channel so much. Most subjects of your videos I have never heard of and sends me down rabbit holes in books and internet. I would not have it any other way. So many different belief systems and majority of the writings are not in English or impossible to get the writing to read. Thank you.
Yep, it's called esoterica for a reason ;)
Someone: "How many times can you say love before it starts to sound weird?"
Hadewijch: "Hold my beer"
Yes, this
@Level ARE3RA No thanks
@Level ARE3RA Or I could not do that? Like, take a hint buddy I'm not interested.
I can honestly say you're right. We all claim we believe and love him
Another superb book on Hadewijch is “Love is everything” by Andrew Harvey. A beautiful translated book of her sublime poems. Really lovely!💜🙏🏼
Hadewijch definitely had strong wimple game - thanks so much for such an interesting and well-made video, Justin.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@TheEsotericaChannel I definitely did, though I will probably have to re-watch to make sure I understand everything!
This whole channel is amazing and I am currently going through the entire backlog. Thank-you for the wonderfully produced videos and the book recommendations! Please, keep going.
Funny how layman see things. Case in point, my wife caught me studying Hebrew the other day and asked me if I was up to something evil. Hehe... BTW “I came here for the daemons but stayed because of the archangeli.” Thanks for all your work Dr Justin! To avoid the inherent bias, I always differentiate my Christianity by saying Esoteric Christianity. Seems to deflect some of the hate.
Eh, I'm fine with both dimensions as long as they aren't toxic. Christianity is, like all religions, wonderful and terrible.
"Esoteric Christianity" is a signal for Neo-nazism in some circles.
Be aware.
Wonderful… thank you so much, Justin! I’ve already approached my publisher about writing a novel about Hadewijch. So inspired!
There is an Bagijnenhof in my street in The Hague (Netherlands) They are fascinating places. You only see a big gate in a big wall. You can pass by them for years without noticing it. But once the gate opens, you see this small garden paradise in the middle of city life. They are like a time capsule . Beautifully preserved.
Yep, the one in A'dam is one of my favorite places to sit and just think. It's just lovely and peaceful.
Ahh been waiting for more on Hadewich! Thank you Dr. Sledge as always for your work!
Your feeling for this text really come through in your talk. The poetics and the mysticism make this topic fascinating. This is the most interesting lecture I have head yet on this channel.
I wonder how many people were driven to study esotericism due to negative interactions with modern Christianity. Speaking personally, I was raised Catholic and found myself pushing it away (especially as I got older and during college) while simultaneously seeking out more and more alternative esoteric prospectives. It’s kind of come full circle and now I’m not so apprehensive to specifically Christian concepts but my interest is always academic- I can’t bring myself to fully embrace Christianity.
I that number is rather substantial and am somewhat curious of beliefs born of such a reaction-formation. I've always admired a great deal of Christian philosophers even if the mythology never made the least sense to me.
@@TheEsotericaChannel Speaking personally (again) it made me take a pretty hard bent towards atheism but nowadays I find myself going back and forth. The only thing I know is that I don’t know I guess you could say, but I’m trying my best to keep an open mind and your channel has been huge in exposing me to thinkers that I wouldn’t have given much of a chance in years past.
@@nicholasmiller3195 i watch this channel for the same reason! I do not like or attend church services, although I was raised and raised my boys in private school. ( my youngest attend an all boys school in Anaheim, CA. Servite was started in 1233 (i think) by 7 holy men (frairs) in devotion to the Virgin Mary, in Italy. I've heard we can arrive anywhere in the world where servite is and we won't go hungry or without a roof over our heads....no idea if its true but by the brotherhood we experienced i would say its very true. I tell you this because I too being disillusioned have also returned to my "roots" to see what I believe and dont....I basically tell God, His Son and The Holy Spirit...I believe in You. I do not care what label people slap on you Christian catholic Baptist Muslim Mormon don't care I know they're real and I could care less where the story of Jesus came from. I love hearing all versions and I could care less what year. I do find it fascinating though that people associate the 3 wise men with astrology. I heard that I few weeks ago and am now trying to read up on that. .....forgive my ramble i just wanted you to know you aren't the Lone Ranger out there investigating the crazy paths our ancestors walked.
I enjoy all of your videos, but this one was extra special. Thank you.
Thank you for making these videos. I can't express how much I enjoy learning from you!
I feel ya on that opening point about anti-Christian (or anti-abrahamic) sentiments in occult, I see the same thing often in modern pagans and atheists, with the three groups usually having in common that they're "driven" to their new beliefs by bad experiences with Christianity (only partly - I'm not trying to devalue their interests). Considering Christianity's pervasiveness in the English speaking world, this makes a lot of sense, as unfortunate as it is.
Yeah, it's a pity really. Baby and Bathwater, as they say.
Also due to the fact that christianity largely "occulted" its own neoplatonist roots and hijacked a lot of symbolism and philosophy, and for someone to even be set on a positive personal path towards a mystical experience or understanding of themselves they have to un-learn/relearn a great deal in its proper context...
Being very much an atheist, I think a lot of people (accusers and accused) forget to separate individuals and institutions. Institutional Christianity is awful, but individual Christian people vary widely. I typically find I have the least issue with Christians who are thoughtful and educated in their faith - those who don't critically examine their faith are the ones who perpetuate the larger institutional problems.
@@monsieurdorgat6864 I know lots of people who have positive experiences with "institutional Christianity." Nuance is important in these topics, and dividing it into a binary is not exactly nuanced.
But yes, people who are thoughtful and educated about their own faith (or any/every faith) tend to be quite pleasant.
@@LoudWaffle Fair enough - there are many Christian institutions. That being said, we could name many denominations who largely espouse net explicitly harmful beliefs, especially when that denomination is a majority rather than a minority.
Part of nuance is to acknowledge systemic perspectives, as well as individual perspectives. In fact, dealing with systemic problems is usually more productive.
6 you so much for an introduction to some amazing and powerful works, but also the fascinating history of this Medieval women's movement!
Dr. Sledge,
Thank you for putting effort into this episode.
I also love your (her) description of living the Trinity. Deeply moving.
Thank you once again you were surly sent to me from God you teach me so much all the while introducing me to other’s for me to learn from
The first words ever spoken come out a song so beautiful that it created life
And it was a Love song
God loves us
And wants to be loved from us
oh man this is one is really great and so well put together. It's seems even the light of the sun is not exempt from cycles of condemnation and exhalation.
Thank You Kindly, Divine BroStar, For Your Divine Service To Divine LOVE!!🙏🕊️🩷🕊️🙏
Ahhhh! My bestie wrote his doctoral thesis on Hadewich! He's gonna love this!
Thank you for your consistent academic integrity!
I followed your buddy! I can't wait to start watching his videos. TY for spreading the knowledge. 💕
Amazing episode! Thank you so much🙏🏽
One of my main reasons for going to you is for your honest non-partisan take on the history, texts, figures, and religions you enlighten. It felt very refreshing having someone else who took a step back and just looked at these as the fascinating and beautiful mysteries our otherworldly past amazingly hosted.
Of course, I have my own biases - I just hope to check them as far as I can. But, I really hope to cover this material as honestly and non-partisan as I can. History deserves that.
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful introduction
Absolutely love your channel, you maintain my interest in these topics by dropping extensive videos on some of the most important ideas of our history, don’t listen to the trolls and naysayers, you keep up the great work!
Luckily I don't get many if those and thanks !
I have been watching several of your videos and just wanted to comment on 2:00 (roughly).
I appreciate the information you give. I am a Catholic turned agnostic and I have to admit that your video on the Thunder God episode (my introduction to your channel) explained one of the major reasons I turned from organized religion in the first place. (The two faced nature of God, largely between the old and new testament.)
The church has done some horrific things. Rather, corrupt people with power in the church. But even today, people use the church as a front for their various bigotries. Yet no one seems to blame these events on the church. You manage to point out the atrocities without blaming the church itself, and I oddly find that refreshing.
I hope to be able to contribute, in some way to the channel, once my financial situation improves. Until then, I will continue to watch the videos you have made and like them at the very least.
I had to watch 3 times to really absorb this haha (I was a bit distracted but still) wow! You are one of the best channels ever
This channel is amazing, glad it crossed my path.
You have intellectual rigor doc. Looking out for others is awesome of you.
Thank you for yet another fascinating video! I have always appreciated your respect for women and their sizable contributions to esoteric and occult subjects as they are often overlooked or dismissed. Hadewijch's daring view on a divine abyss of love is haunting and you've inspired me to learn more about this innovative, visionary woman. 🖤
Of course, I really enjoy making episodes like this. Of course, I'm also happy to amplify marginalized voices in esoterica as I can. I means esoterica itself is marginalized and if we're going to do the history, we should do it fully, especially focusing on the voices least heard historically but deeply deserving of a platform. Hadewijch fits that bill exactly. Thanks for the kind comment!
Thanks!
Love is the way, and unconditional understanding.
Woohoo! Sorry I’m excited 😆
I found a podcast/video of McGinn today and it was amazing!
*The Crisis of Mysticism: Quietism in 17th Century Spain, Italy, and France*
The description at 30:43 of becoming the throne of God reminded me of your previous lectures on Merkabah mysticism, in which the mystic seeks to witness, or even sit on the throne of God. Only she puts a twist on that.
Thank you for all you do. X
Dr Sledge, I hope fervently that you can do a piece on Mechtild of Magdeburg, another Beguine. Thank you for your great kindness with this channel.
I remember when learning about the Beguines and Hadewijch in my undergrad class on Spirituality and later when I was writing my senior paper on Divine Love using Julian of Norwich and Rumi.
the wimple flex slayed me
As profound as it is humorous! Thanks for this treat.
Thank you for this introduction.
This was a beautiful lecture thanks doc
As always 👌
I just discovered your channel and wanted to say that I LOVE it.
You had me at "psychological escape velocity". Seriously your opinions only seem rooted in honest transparent observation and analysis. - former Christian, currently exploring Daoism and Buddhism.
Stunning, thank you.
True about Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They seem to have deeeeeeeeeep spirituality.
⭐️Outstanding Work❤️thank you
We love you Dr. Sledge
The Beguine remind of a sort of inverted version of Buddhism. Thank you again Dr. Sledge 💜
Thank you for expose me to her, as I've had revelation that were eerily similar and the conclusions I couldn't escape until it consumed me being the only thing there is until all became unintelligible in dionysian rapture and that experience never left me. And just learning that oxytocin is both the chemical biologically giving rise to Love but also Hate, so it seems this notions is even reflected empirically. Thank you so much for gifting me the knowledge of her, she already feels like a journey into gnosis I'll joyously get lost for years to come.
She's so worth reading - I think you'll find her works amazing.
Thank you so much for this video, although I just started watching it. I'm a Dutch student in my undergraduate considering going into medieval studies. I'm currently writing a paper on the role of female embodiment in Hadewijch's visions versus the decidedly male role she takes on in her love songs. I will probably go into contemporary literature but the middle ages and mysticism are close to my heart and Hadewijch is the GOAT.
I take the approach of a literary scientist, not a religious scholar. The input from that perspective is very valuable and it's just nice to see you talking about one of my favourite writers. I have recordings of the songs, in the Middle Dutch with reconstructed melody, sung by professionals, that I listen to. I've read all of her visions in the original Middle Dutch, too. It's very beautiful and does make me wonder about all the amazing Latin (and Greek, Hebrew, etc.) medieval and ancient texts I'm missing out on, but I rejoice in the fact that being able to read Middle Dutch is probably more rare than any of those! ;)
I've got the video saved for later; very curious what perspective you have to offer us on Hadewijch and I will edit with any comments or questions I have!
Wonderful! Looking forward to your comments. I've heard that Middle-dutch isn't too difficult for modern Dutch readers - is that your experience?
@@TheEsotericaChannel It is relatively easy compared to learning say Latin, ofcourse, but there is a definite learning curve. I'd say it's a lot like reading Middle English, or probably a little harder honestly. (I've read a bunch of Chaucer and some random poems which I'm going off) The lexical changes might be smaller for Dutch but unmarked clitics, cases instead of prepositions, latinisms and so on throw you off. It took me practice but I can read it pretty comfortably since getting into it three years ago.
Unrelated side note, but I have found that Middle English is very accesible to me as someone who speaks Dutch and English fluently, even before I got into Middle Dutch and even though English is a second language. There is a lot of words with Germanic roots that were replaced by words of Latin origin, so that they are completely foreign to English speakers but are instantly recognizable cognates of Dutch or German.
Hadewijch is considered the most difficult Middle Dutch material we have. 95% of what I've read on her is extracurricular. We get translations of everything with a few exceptions of fragments, for Hadewijch everything was translated. So it is considered too difficult or labour intensive to ask of undergraduates.
Some of the original is still very obscure to me, and the Dutch translations don't do it complete justice so I don't imagine the English ones could. Translation is interpretation and Hadewijch is not easy to interpret. She was a very gifted stylist though, as you said, and I'm glad that comes through in translation! The original is absolutely stunning and completely otherworldly. Reading the Visions for the first time is one of my favourite literary experiences ever.
@@GijsInc Thanks for this very thoughtful and thorough answer!
@@TheEsotericaChannel oh hey and my close friend is doing his Masters in Western Esotericism in Amsterdam, shout-out!
@@GijsInc Hope they enjoy it - I did!
Welcome to my world. Keep up cranking out the fabulous content
I’m a Christian and this is one of my favorite channels
I’m a Christian Mystic and this is good stuff.
I always smile a bit when these histories inevitably get to the part where the subject tries to describe their philosophy with a numbered list. Medieval life wasn't so different from youtube, after all!
Not so hard, especially when the medieval people give you said numbered list.
Your channel and others helped me understand the history.
Wow! I love this channel more and more. I especially appreciate learning about this history of women. Can you do a video of Mary Magdalene? 🌹❤️
Interesting idea!
@@TheEsotericaChannel ❤️ Thank you for your response and consideration. 😊
Thanks
Great content - as usual - thank you!
Dr. Sledge, do you have any interest in The Cloud of Unknowing or in Dionysius the Pseudo-Aereopagite? Both would be good topics, I think. There are many interesting threads in Christian mysticism.
Yep, I'll get to those, but they are otherwise better known.
fascinating, thank you
LUV IT! ❤
Love that truth of god seal behind the title, classy.