Caroline Myss

[BarbarianKing]

Does anyone know Caroline Myss? What can you tell me about her? Just today I saw someone reading her book "Entering the Castle: An inner path to God and your soul."

This is the review on Amazon.com:
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Fans of Myss's earlier books (Sacred Contracts, etc.), which drew inspiration from such diverse traditions as Indian medicine and ancient divination methods, may be surprised at how thoroughly entrenched her new book is in the Western religious tradition. In the preface, she discusses how an out-of-the blue seizure and a midlife hunger for an authentic spiritual practice set her exploring the mystical tradition of her childhood Catholic faith. Using St. Teresa of Ávila's metaphor of the "interior castle" as a template, Myss challenges readers to get in touch with their own souls and shows how they can then lead deeper, more joyous lives. Every chapter is packed with meditations that help to either clean out the detritus that prevents spiritual growth or prepare for a mystical meeting with God. Interspersed are supportive stories of those who have gone before on the path. While Myss explicitly states that readers need not become Catholic or even Christian to enter the castle, some may be turned off by how little she incorporates other traditions. Even so, the material clearly springs from a deeply personal place and every page rings with the passion and intensity of someone who has finally found what she was seeking.

Anyway, anytime I see someone writing about finding God by your own means, or mentioning anything about mysticism, I feel like I have to be on guard from another "false doctrine."
Anyone knows her?

Thanks.

[Copperfox]

I never heard of this particular mystic, but they're a dime a dozen, each one trying to make a splash as if he or she were the very first one to offer the "daring, amazing, brand-new concept"--of doing just what the fallen sinful heart always wants to do anyway, rely on its own emotions at the expense of reality.

Not that I don't believe there are legitimate mystical experiences! But I believe that any truly God-inspired mystic would agree on a distinction. Enlightenment from the Holy Spirit can HAPPEN IN our mental interior; but the power is not ORIGINATED BY our own mind and spirit. No true vision from God would EVER flatter us that we are divine in our own basic nature. We are spiritual beings, but FALLEN spiritual beings in need of grace; any vision that is genuinely God-given will not do us such HARM as to confuse us about this vital truth.

[BarbarianKing]

ha ha, yeah. Each one of those thinks he or she has the all the answers. Sadly, there are people who actually will believe anything other than the true message.
I just thought that since she claims to be Catholic, there would actually be something "real" in her writing. However, as I said, every time someone writes about finding "inner" anything, I am on guard. Looking for something good inside ourselves is futile. "All of us are like filth, and all our justices like dirty rags" or something like that, goes that verse.

[Solya]

*blinks*

Wow, I had no idea someone would actually be yakking on about Christianity and other traditions as if they were compatible and useable at the same time. Just goes to show that people have slipped into the mental state of "I control everything and I just do what feels right". Barely anyone wants to bother with the things that are out of their hands right now...

I prefer mystical meetings with God to happen without preparation or any expectations... I am used to them at least slightly, but a part of my ease and relaxation about these experiences stems from the fact that it is not something I personally control. It just happens. And, you know, I had these experiences in different guises while I was a Pagan... but they also called me back to Christianity... so yeah, I am weary about anything or anyone who says that the techniques from one path can be combined with another path.

[BarbarianKing]

I also prefer those kinds of meetings with God. And old fashion prayer. I don't know why people keep hacking at old and tired human ways to seek God in all the wrong places.