The Soul in Saint Bernard of Clairvaux’s mysticism

Abstract

This work will examine the concept of soul developed in Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux’s (1090-1153) mysticism. For this purpose, extracts of five of his writings will be analysed: the third Series of Sentences, three of his Liturgical Sermons, and the parable The King’s Three Daughters. The Cistercian monk echoes the Platonic tradition in his comments about the importance of fighting against vices to preserve the virtue of the soul and thus reach the Highest Good (Summum Bonum).