Meister Eckhart

Now observe, as regards this birth, where it takes place.

that this eternal birth occurs in the soul, precisely as it does in eternity.

No more and no less, for it is one birth.

First of all, since God is in all things as intelligence, and is more truly in them than they are in themselves, and more naturally.

In what special respects, then, is the soul better fitted for this divine operation than are other rational creatures, in which God also is?

but he is fecund in the soul alone.

For though every creature is a vestige of God, the soul is the natural image of God.

Indeed, such perfection as enters the soul, whether it be divine, undivided light, grace or bliss, must enter the soul through this birth and in no other way

But in this birth, you will share in the divine influx and all its gifts.

This cannot be received by creatures in which God's image is not found.

for the soul's image appertains especially to this eternal birth, which happens truly and especially in the soul.

Being begotten of the Father in the soul's ground and innermost recesses, into which no image ever shone or power peeped,

The second question is, since this work of birth occurs in the essence and ground of the soul, then it happens just as much in a sinner as in a saint.

So what grace or good is there in it for me?

For the ground of nature is the same in both.

It is a property of this birth that it always comes with fresh light.

It always brings a great light to the soul.

for it is the nature of good to diffuse itself wherever it is.

In this birth, God streams into the soul in such abundance of light, so flooding the essence and ground of the soul that it runs over and floods into the powers and into the outward persons.

Thus it befell Paul, when on his journey God touched him with his light and spoke to him.