Meister Eckhart (1260–1328) was a priest, a mystic, and nearly a heretic (he
died before the Church court's verdict). In the 20th century, the Roman Catholic
Church rehabilitated him and the late Pope John Paul II spoke of his work with
fondness.
However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has
influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and
outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T.
Suzuki, and Rudolf Steiner have all credited Eckhart as being an important
influence on their thought. In addition, his work has influenced the development
of 20th century American Buddhism