Excerpt from Jacob Boehme: The Teutonic Philosopher

Search where we will through the whole range of mysticism, it is hard to find a deeper or more interior mystic than the poor, unlettered shoemaker of Goerlitz, Jacob Boehme. Un learned, as this world understands learning, he yet penetrated to the core of things, touching depths that the profoundest philosophers and the keenest thinkers have essayed in vain to reach. Where the most subtle metaphysicians have failed in their search for truth, this poor shoemaker, through his humble childlike faith, succeeded in discovering the ground of all things. Not only was he a great mystic, but he was also a spiritual occultist.

He was born at the village of alt-seidenberg, near Goerlitz, in Saxony, in the year 1575.

His parents were simple but respectable peasants. As a boy Boehme spent much of his time alone, tending the cattle. At an early age he developed the visionary faculty, and was able to see in the spirit world. He went to school, learned to read and write, and, on leav ing, was apprenticed to a shoemaker.

One day, while his master and mistress were out, a stranger entered the shop, bought a pair of boots, for which he paid an excessive price, and departed. On reaching the street he called out, Jacob, come hither. The lad, greatly surprised to find that the man knew his name, went outside, whereupon the stranger fixed a kind yet penetrating glance upon him, and said, Jacob, thou art yet but little, but the time will come when thou shalt be great and become another man, and the world shall marvel at thee. Therefore be pious, fear God, and reverence His Word especially read diligently the Holy Scriptures, where thou wilt find comfort and instruction, for thou must endure much misery and poverty, and suffer persecution. But be courageous and persevere, for God loves and is gracious unto thee. The stranger then clasped his hand, looked kindly at him, and disappeared. He was probably one of those highly evolved beings called Adepts.

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