Angelus Silesius (born Johann Scheffler; 1624–1677) was a German Catholic priest, physician, mystic, and religious poet, born in Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland). Raised Lutheran, he converted to Catholicism in 1653, adopting the name Angelus (Latin for "angel") and the epithet Silesius ("Silesian") to distinguish himself from other contemporaries. He was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1661 and later served as a counselor to the Prince-Bishop of Breslau before retiring to a Jesuit house, where he died in 1677.
Silesius is best remembered for his influential mystical poetry, particularly Der Cherubinische Wandersmann (The Cherubinic Pilgrim, 1657), a collection of 1,676 short poems often written in Alexandrine couplets. His other major work, Heilige Seelen-Lust (The Soul's Holy Desires), contains over 200 religious hymns that remain in use in both Protestant and Catholic hymnals. His poetry, influenced by Jacob Böhme and medieval mystics, explores themes of divine union, paradox, and the essence of God as love, often employing epigrams to convey deep spiritual truths.
The Spiritual Mustard Seed A mustard seed is my spirit, illumined by its sun; Thus it grows to be like God, in joy and bliss begun. The Wellspring is Within Us You need not cry out to God, the wellspring is within you: If you do not stop the outlet, it flows forevermore. One Must Return to the Beginning The spirit that God breathed into me at creation, Shall once again stand essentially immersed in Him. God Blossoms from His Branches If you are born of God, then God blossoms within you: And His divinity is your sap and your adornment.
Heaven is Within You Stop, where are you running? Heaven is within you: If you seek God elsewhere, you will miss Him forevermore. How to Partake of God God is an absolute One; whoever wishes to partake of Him, Must enclose himself in Him, no less than He Himself. - Angelus, Silesius: Cherubinischer Wandersmann, c. 1895
