Little Book of Letters
The Briefbüchlein, or "Little Book of Letters," consists of eleven letters that Heinrich Suso wrote to various disciples seeking spiritual counsel during the middle decades of the fourteenth century. These letters emerged from Suso's role as a spiritual director within the Dominican order and the broader network of devout Christians, particularly women religious, who sought his guidance in navigating the mystical life. Originally composed in German rather than Latin, the collection reflects Suso's commitment to making sophisticated spiritual teaching accessible to those outside clerical circles.
Suso addresses the practical challenges of advanced spiritual life with remarkable psychological insight. The letters tackle questions of spiritual dryness, the discernment of genuine mystical experience from self-deception, the proper relationship between contemplation and action, and the navigation of intense spiritual consolations and desolations. Throughout, Suso emphasizes the necessity of abandoning self-will and embracing what he calls "Gelassenheit" — a complete letting-go or abandonment to God's purposes. He warns against the spiritual pride that can accompany mystical experiences while simultaneously affirming the authenticity of union with God for those who pursue it with proper humility and guidance.
The Briefbüchlein has endured as one of the most practical guides to the higher reaches of contemplative life, bridging the gap between theological speculation about mysticism and the lived experience of those actually walking the mystical path. Suso's letters demonstrate how a skilled spiritual director addresses the concrete questions that arise when theory meets practice in the soul's journey toward God.
Who should read this: Those engaged in serious contemplative practice or spiritual direction will find Suso's counsel invaluable, particularly if they are grappling with questions about the authenticity of their spiritual experiences. This is not an introductory work but assumes readers already committed to the mystical path.