Let's Explore: The Early Modern Era Mystics

Hello Spiritual Explorers,
In this Meetup group we will explore the teachings of various mystics in the Early Modern Era.
Our first two Meetup on mystics were focused on the Ancient Era (Before 500 CE) and the Medieval Era (500-1500 CE). This Meetup will cover mystics from the Early Modern Era (1500-1800 CE), and followed by mystics of the Modern Era (1800- 2026 CE) on 11/21.
For each Meetup, please consider researching one or two mystics of your choosing from that era to share what you learned with the group. What can we learn from their teachings? Who you pick to learn about is completely up to you. It is fine if more than one person researches the same mystic.

For our 11/7 Meetup here are some mystics to consider:
Early Modern Era (1500–1800 CE)

Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582 CE) – Spain. A Carmelite nun who wrote The Interior Castle, describing the soul's journey through seven mansions toward union with God.
John of the Cross (1542–1591 CE) – Spain. A reformer and mystic who co-founded the Discalced Carmelites; famous for coining the concept of the "Dark Night of the Soul."
Isaac Luria (1534–1572 CE) – Ottoman Empire (Safed). A foundational rabbi of Jewish mysticism who revolutionized Kabbalah, introducing concepts like Tzimtzum (divine contraction).
Jakob Böhme (1575–1624 CE) – Germany. A Lutheran cobbler whose profound, complex mystical visions influenced Western esotericism and philosophy.
Baal Shem Tov (1698–1760 CE) – Ukraine. The charismatic rabbi who founded Hasidic Judaism, emphasizing joy, omnipresent divine sparks, and emotional connection to God over rigid scholasticism.
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772 CE) – Sweden. A scientist and inventor who transitioned into a mystic, claiming to converse with angels and spirits about the afterlife.
Or Choose Your Own

Looking forward to a wide ranging, fascinating and educational conversation!
Metta,
Mike