Review in Doopsgezind.nl by Jehannes Regnerus

Posted By Carine Philipse on okt 11, 2016


“This book is my diary. But it’s not about me and my life with all its daily events, or about my own experiences. It is about the workings of God as I experience them in ‘my’ life: my life which in fact is not ‘mine’ but His.  In essence my life and the person I am are of no importance. They are no more than the river bed in which this mystical process can unfold.”

Review in Doopsgezind.nl by Jehannes Regnerus
These are words written by Carine Philipse writes in her introduction to You sing in me your name – a Mystical diary: Anthology.
While reading this quote as well as the book’s title, I thought: phew, what am I supposed to do with such vagueness? While I’m drawn to the Celtic Mysticism I still wouldn’t have taken this book from its shelf in the bookstore. But my next thought was: why should I not open myself to the way of Ms. Philipse’s thinking?
Although she and I don’t share a common religious language – one could even say that we’re often at opposite poles to one another with regard to my personal religious experiences- “yes, I am completly powerless to do anything. I have nothing to offer You, You – the All. But You, You give me everything – without justification – for no reason at all – like a gift.  Because of You, I live and everything I have comes from Your Hand. “
– still one has to have some admiration for Ms. Philipse. Because without reverting to painfully fanciful prose, Ms Philipse has succeeded in completely exposing herself. And this she does spontaneously and authentically.
To publish this requires bravery.
Poetry and prose alternate. It is recommended not to read the book in one go, but to treat it as a poetry book. Open the book, turn a page, read it a bit and let it sink in slowly. However you wish to read it, please do so with reverence and respect. This book deserves it.

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