Ruysbroek was a 13th-century priest and mystic who founded an Augustinian abbey in Belgium where he wrote many religious and mystic essays. Maeterlinck's book collects together much of Ruysbroek's theories and beliefs and comments on other mystics of the time.

A collection of mystical writings by the medieval mystics known as the Béguines, this book offers a glimpse into the rich spiritual tradition of the Low Countries in the Middle Ages. With its powerful visions, profound insights, and lyrical language, these writings continue to inspire readers today. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit and specialist in the history of philosophy, first created his history as an introduction for Catholic ecclesiastical seminaries. However, since its first publication (the last volume appearing in the mid-1970s) the series has become the classic account for all philosophy scholars and students. The 11-volume series gives an accessible account of each philosopher's work, but also explains their relationship to the work of other philosophers.

Hadewijch, a Flemish Beguine of the 13th century, is undoubtedly the most important exponent of love mysticism and one of the loftiest figures in the western mystical tradition.