MYSTICS: 108 SEERS, SAINTS, and SAGES is a user-friendly and potentially life-changing introduction to the wisdom teachings of over 108 of the greatest mystics in the Western tradition. This clear and informative book provides readers with a crash course on how seers, saints, and sages have pursued and attained enlightenment

Its premise is that we all need teachers and companions to assist us in developing rich interior lives. It celebrates the universal power and wisdom of the teachings of the mystics, highlighting the ways in which their words can help anyone find greater love, purpose, and a deeper sense of God's presence.

McColman organizes the mystics into nine categories: visionaries, confessors, lovers, poets, saints, heretics, wisdom keepers, soul-friends, and unitives. He covers a wide range of mystics including Howard Thurman, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Gregory of Palamus, and C.S. Lewis.

This informative volume will appeal to readers who buy religious reference books and those interested in spirituality.

Carl McColman is a member of the Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit―a contemplative community under the spiritual guidance of Trappist monks. He is a member of the Atlanta Shambhala Center and is active in the Atlanta interfaith community. Carl frequently leads workshops and retreats on contemplative spirituality at churches, seminaries, monasteries, and retreat centers. He is the author of Answering the Contemplative Call, also available from Hampton Roads.

"Christianity is a vast sea of wisdom, and yet most of us are content only to skim the surface. Carl McColman's introduction to Christian mysticism invites us to dive deep and discover a Christianity most of us have never even imagine. If you think Christianity = Church + Sunday School, you need this book!" --Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent

"A treasure trove of the Christian mystics--seers, saints and sages--presented in all their rich diversity and offered as mentors to guide the contemporary Christian toward an encounter with the presence of God. Christian Mystics serves as both a primer and a resource to inspire and inform." --Dana Greene, author of Evelyn Underhill: Artist of the Infinite Life, The Living of Maisie Ward, and Denise Levertov: A Poet's Life

“We live to feel alive. We need to know love and joy. And I feel this book could help safeguard -- and encourage -- many tender, precious unfurling wings." --Daniel Ladinsky, bestselling author of The Gift and Love Poems From God

“Carl offers his readers the great gift of a distillation of 108 wise and worthy guides on the mystical way, each entry offering a spark for further exploration. His categories were especially helpful in finding kindred souls and I love that ‘Heretics’ were included.” --Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, author nine books on the spiritual life including Illuminating the Way: Embracing the Wisdom of Monks and Mystics