# Jan van Ruysbroeck — Practical Mysticism character guide

> Jan van Ruysbroeck in Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ruysbroeck, the great Ruysbroeck

**First appearance:** 0006-iii-the-preparation-of-the-mystic

## Who they are

Flemish mystic and writer on the spiritual life, cited as an authority.

## Relationships

### [The Practical Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/characters/the_practical_man)

_psychological_

Ruysbroeck's contemplative mysticism offers a deep, passive spirituality that contrasts sharply with the Practical Man's active, worldly approach.

## In the story

### [Love and Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/chapters/vi-love-and-will)

Quoted describing contemplation as a 'loving stretching out' towards Reality, and referenced for the concept of 'gathering the forces of the soul into the unity of the spirit'.

### [VIII: The Second Form of Contemplation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/chapters/viii-the-second-form-of-contemplation)

Quoted at the beginning of the chapter describing the hunger and thirst that begins at this stage of contemplation.

### [IX: The Third Form of Contemplation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/chapters/ix-the-third-form-of-contemplation)

Quoted for the phrase 'He devours us and He feeds us!' illustrating the paradoxical nature of divine union.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/characters/jan_van_ruysbroeck
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/practical_mysticism_se/characters