Meister Eckhart

Eckhart von Hochheim (born Johannes Eckhart; c. 1260 – c. 1328), commonly known as Meister Eckhart (German: [ˈmaɪstɐ ˈʔɛkaʁt]), was a German Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher and mystic. He was born near Gotha in the Landgraviate of Thuringia in the Holy Roman Empire. He was a member of the Dominican Order.

Eckhart came into prominence during the Avignon Papacy at a time of increased tensions between monastic orders, diocesan clergy, the Franciscans, and the Dominicans. In later life, he was accused of heresy, brought up before the local Franciscan-led Inquisition and tried as a heretic by Pope John XXII with the bull In Agro Dominico of March 27, 1329. In the trial, excerpts of his Book of Divine Consolation were used against Eckhart. He seems to have died before his verdict was received.

Eckhart was well known for his work with pious lay groups such as the Friends of God and was succeeded by his more circumspect disciples Johannes Tauler and Henry Suso, the latter of whom was beatified. Since the 19th century, Eckhart has received renewed attention. He has acquired a status as a great mystic within contemporary new age spirituality, as well as considerable interest from scholars situating him within the medieval scholastic and philosophical tradition.