Welcome to The Short Way, a unique online course hosted by Dr. Arthur Versluis, with contributions from clinical psychologist Robert Faas. The Short Way is, as far as we know, completely unprecedented. In it, we’re going to offer you a very rare set of resources to explore mysticism for yourself. This course is organized for co-exploration. In it, we’re going to be working with a very unusual, very clear and direct spiritual instruction in dialogue form by Jacob Böhme, an exceptional mystic who, near the end of his life, wrote this spiritual or heart advice for his own students and circle. A selection from this work of spiritual advice is accompanied each week by an image from Böhme’s work, and by video and audio discussion of Böhme’s advice as well as specific ways to engage in the spiritual practice being discussed. We might call this an exploratory, rather than simply a course, because what we’re engaging directly with what Böhme is pointing us toward. In this regard, what we’re doing here is fundamentally different than what happens in a university or college classroom, or in scholarly texts. The practice being introduced here is not found in academic or church settings, and yet it is, Böhme tells us, essential to how we spiritually awaken. We must engage in this path if we are to develop spiritually. How do we do that? What is the path? These are the kinds of practical questions that Böhme presents us with, and clearly and concisely answers. Both of us have many years of contemplative experience, and we look forward to exploring mysticism with you. Enjoy!
This course text is copyright © Arthur Versluis. All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without permission in writing from the author.
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I enjoyed this series. It's hard to find an academic approach to this subject. It was an excellent combination of theory and practice. I would have liked a little more didactic on exactly how one "let's go" and how one meditates on the planets of the body. I feel these two subjects fill volumes in traditions like Buddhism and Vedanta. I hope to see more from Hieros. Keep up the excellent work.