"In the pursuit of an understanding of Mary that is undertaken in this book, it is clear that we are dealing with events beyond the reach of our normal faculties. Without effort on our part and help of some kind, Mary remains one more unsolvable mystery, to be dismissed as just some nice myth with no reality to be granted to Mary. In the activity of our striving to be open and reverent in our devoted pursuit of knowledge of these mysteries, we begin to tread the path of the Marian Way of Heart Knowledge." -- J. Bruce Murphy (from the foreword)
This book guides the reader into and through the mystery of Mary as she appears in the New Testament, especially her equanimity and affirmative openness to life--both its gifts and its sorrows. As J. Bruce Murphy points out in his foreword:
"The theme of this book is to show that these holy mysteries are not allegory, poetry, or simple fantasy. Rather, they are actual facts that can be known and experienced by each of us, and mere sense-bound intellect will not suffice for us to reach an understanding of these mysteries."
Or, as Rudolf Steiner tells us in The Philosophy of Freedom, "knowledge itself shall become organically alive."
Neill Reilly shows how devotion and thinking with the heart--the Marian way of heart knowing--can guide us on our path toward true freedom. And, "what better help could we ever have than Mary, the Gospel of St. John, and The Philosophy of Freedom."
Murphy, J. Bruce: - J. Bruce Murphy was born and raised on Long Island, New York. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a B.A. in American Studies and from The Waldorf Institute at Adelphi University with an M.A. in Waldorf Pedagogy. Bruce was an elementary school teacher for seven years on Long Island. After teaching, he worked in the restaurant business as a manager and owner. He served on the board of trustees for the Waldorf School of Garden City for twenty years and as the Cross Country coach for seven years. He is married with two sons. He now resides in Maine.
Reilly, Neill: -
Neill Reilly was born and raised on Long Island, New York. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a B.A. in Philosophy and from The Waldorf Institute at Adelphi University with an M.A. in Waldorf Pedagogy. Neill taught high school English for seven years at the Kimberton and Garden City Waldorf schools and at a Catholic high school and coached basketball, track, and lacrosse. He also directed plays. After teaching, he worked as a salesperson at Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, Jefferies and Company, and numerous financial technology firms including EJV, NEON, and TIBCO. He is married with two children. Neill is also the author of Songs and Dreams: By Seeking We Are Found (Lindisfarne Books, 2017)
