Culture and Context: Meister Eckhart and Kabir
Meister Eckhart was a prominent medieval mystic and theologian who lived a life focused on spirituality and intellectual pursuit. He was born in 1260 AD in Hocheim, Thuringia, now known as Germany. He joined the Dominican order at the age of fifteen and became a prominent figure in the church. He lived during the Middle Ages, a time that engaged in discussions and debates that shaped theology. We don't know if he traveled, but one can infer that he traveled across Europe for religious and academic works. He studied theology and philosophy, where he studied in Cologne; he dedicated his time to his spiritual calling, so he didn't have a family.
Kabir was a renewed Indian poet and a mystic living in Varanasi, India, during the 15th century. He devoted himself to his spiritual experience and poems, focused on the unity of all religions, and denounced the caste system. He was a weaver by profession, but he committed his too, and his writing inspired spiritual poems. He is considered a saint who emphasizes being devoted to god and loving all people despite their different religions. Kabir was illiterate, but he had wisdom from life experiences. Some legends say he was married and had two children, Kamal and Kamali.
Kabir and Meister Eckhart were influential mystics. They emphasized the deep connection with the divine, challenged religious structure, and always emphasized the truth. The main difference is that Meister Eckhart was a medieval theologian with a philosophical approach that caused him to have conflict with the church. His ideas were similar to Western Christianity. Kabir belonged to the Bhakti movement in medieval India; his poetry came from Sufi and Islamic traditions, and his beliefs were deeply rooted in Indian spirituality and culture. Some of his beliefs were karma and rebirth.
Sources
Kabir, & Tagore, R. (2010). Songs of Kabir. Floating Press.
Flasch, K. (2015). Meister Eckhart : philosopher of Christianity (A. Schindel & A. Vanides, Trans.). Yale University Press.
In the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, see the entry on Kabir. REF 294.503 J765e 2007.
In the Encyclopedia of Hinduism (edited by Cush), see the entry on Kabir. REF 294.503 E564 2008.
MLA 9th Edition (Modern Language Assoc.) Flasch, Kurt, et al. Meister Eckhart : Philosopher of Christianity. Yale University Press, 2015. APA 7th Edition (American Psychological Assoc.) Flasch, K., Vanides, A., & Schindel, A. (2015). Meister Eckhart : Philosopher of Christianity. Yale University Press. Meister Eckhart preached about the unity of the divine and the human.
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