Medieval
A commonly identified source is Hesychasm in which the supreme aim of life on earth is the contemplation of the uncreated light whereby man is intimately united with God. The Cathars espoused a form of quietism, denying the need for sacerdotal rites. The Brethren of the Free Spirit are considered a source, as are the Beguines and Beghards in the Low Countries in the 12th and 13th centuries who adopted a form of quietism that evolved into a pantheistic mysticism.
Quietism ideas may have had some indirect effect on the mysticism of the great 16th century Spaniards, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, but they also had other influences. Both Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross were very active reformers and both cautioned against a simple-minded "don't think anything" (no pensar nada) approach to meditation and contemplation; further, both acknowledged the authority of the Catholic Church. As a result, the Catholic Church chose to ignore their quietist tendencies.
Read more about this topic: Quietism (Christian Philosophy), Origins of Quietism
Famous quotes containing the word medieval:
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