Mysticism and Space: Space and Spatiality in the Works of Richard Rolle, The Cloud of Unknowing Author, and Julian of Norwich

Contents

Contents Acknowledgments ix Abbreviations xi Note on Translation xiii Introduction 1 Mysticism and Space, 1   Texts to Be Considered, 13   Other Spatial Parameters, 17 Chapter One. Physical Space 21 Defining Medieval Space, 21 The Enclosed Space of Contemplation, 30 Physical Space and Architectural Imagery, 39 The Space of Bodies, 47 Chapter Two. Social Space 59 Medieval Society and Mysticism from a Contemporary Perspective, 59 The Space of Christian Society, 65 Space and Habitus, 74 Separation, 80 Liminality, 87 Heterotopia: The Liminal Space Made Visible, 92 Return, Reaggregation, and Reciprocity in the Social Space, 95 Chapter Three. The Space of the Text and the Language of Space 101 The Space of the Medieval Book, 101 Positive and Negative Spaces, 106 The Language of Space: Presence, Representation, and Inexpressibility, 110 God in a “Poynt”, 127 God’s Spaciousness, 136 Chapter Four: The Mystical Space of Richard Rolle 141 A Man of His Time, 141 Form: Solitude and Stillness, 147 Form: The Three Degrees of Love, 153 Form: The Mystical Space as Tripartite, 156 Content: The Threefold Mystical Apprehension of Calor, Dulcor, Canor, 162 Chapter Five: The Mystical Space of the Cloud Author 177 The Literary Mise en abyme, 177 The Reflective Space, 182 The Space of the Cloud, 191 The Empty Space: The Space of Absence, 196 The Space of the Will, 208 Chapter Six: The Mystical Space of Julian of Norwich 213 Defining Julian’s Mystical Space, 213 Inside the Mystical Space: Translocation, 225 Changing Places, 233 Wholeness: Aspects of Gender and Enclosure, 239 Epilogue 249 Works Cited 251 Index 267 viii contents ...