Dr Simone Kotva
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simonekotva.bsky.social
Dr Simone Kotva
@simonekotva.bsky.social
Philosopher and theologian. Author of Effort and Grace: On the Spiritual Exercise of Philosophy http://tinyurl.com/yc86gzlf. Currently writing a book on mysticism and plant-thinking.
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There are many ways to read mysticism. This term my students and I will be reading as scholar-practitioners, discussing the practical content of classics in Christian mysticism. I'll be keeping you posted on what we're reading (and testing):
In class this week we were discussing Aquinas on the Trinity: Summa Contra Gentiles, 4.1-26. Among other things we considered the wild sexiness of Thomas' Trinity. 🧵
March 1, 2025 at 10:33 AM
How do you still your mind? Let's try moving it into your heart.

This week in the Monday Mysticism reading group we discussed Nicephorus the Solitary's method for practicing attentiveness, a state of openness and receptivity deemed necessary in order to begin contemplating.
February 27, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Last week in class we talked about spontaneity in prayer and how it works. While spontaneity can't be controlled there are "triggers" that makes it easier to relax and open up.🧵
February 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I once had an amazing student who, when faced with the weird images in one particularly intense medieval mystical text, meditated on said images and used them as starting-points in a visualization exercise. 🧵
February 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Dr Simone Kotva
It's done! Just sent the manuscript of Fairies: A History to my publisher - hitting in 2026! 🧚‍♀️🪄📚
February 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
There are many ways to read mysticism. This term my students and I will be reading as scholar-practitioners, discussing the practical content of classics in Christian mysticism. I'll be keeping you posted on what we're reading (and testing):
February 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Dr Simone Kotva
TIL that before 2010 the Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures was known as Mystics Quarterly, which makes it sound like a trade mag for the profession, with small ads and handy tips
February 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Dr Simone Kotva
This is amazing. A Lithuanian researcher, Ernesta Kazakėnaitė, has identified the earliest surviving manuscript in a Sámi language: ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/je...
November 23, 2024 at 8:15 AM
I was recently in the Arctic and I miss it with a strange passion.
October 9, 2023 at 1:39 PM
I'm heading to Stockholm on October 20 to act as external opponent on Áron Birtalan's 50% PhD seminar. Really looking forward to THE ABYSS BETWEEN OUR HANDS: www.uniarts.se/english/news...
Áron Birtalan’s 50% seminar
www.uniarts.se
October 9, 2023 at 9:51 AM