Mystical Knowledge of God
Mystical knowledge of God is ineffable darkness and yet it is essential light. It is called an incomprehensible and solitary desert. This it certainly is; no one can find his way through it or see any landmarks, for it has no marks which man can recognize. By “darkness” here, you must understand a light which can never be naturally understood; and it is called “desolate” because there is no road which leads to it. To come there the soul must be led above itself, beyond all its comprehension and understanding. Then it can drink from the stream at its very sources, from those true and essential waters. Here the water is sweet and fresh and pure, as every stream is sweet at its source, before it has lost its cool freshness and purity.
Johannes Tauler, from Spiritual Conferences of Johannes Tauler
Johannes Tauler (c.1300-1361) was a German mystic, a Catholic preacher, and a theologian. A disciple of Meister Eckhart, he belonged to the Dominican order. Tauler was known as one of the most important Rhineland Mystics. His sermons are still regarded as classics of spirituality.