Bøker av Saint Teresa Of Avila

To speak of the merits of this work seems superfluous. It abounds in noble and sublime thoughts, heroic sentiments of love, praise, and gratitude to God, and is full of the most practical lessons of humility, obedience, poverty, and self-denial; &c. Her explanation of the Lord's Prayer is very admirable. The three first chapters are particularly interesting and valuable, as she there mentions the motives by which she was especially induced to compose the work. The style is everywhere simple and pure, yet always rich in illustrations. The interior life of the Saint is drawn to the very letter, in words which really seem to have been inspired. All the hidden secrets of "mental prayer," are communicated to us, in which the soul buries herself, and is consumed with burning transports of love; and though we are unable to understand all that the Saint says on this sublime subject, yet we cannot but rise up from the perusal of her words, better men than we were before, more determined to aim at perfection, and to implore the divine assistance and that of our glorious Saint for so important an object.

St. Teresa of Avila's 16th century work "The Way of Perfection" is a classic of Christian literature which was written for the nuns of the order she founded. Encouraged by her religious counselors, she sought to give advice and guidance to other nuns in her ways of prayer and Christian meditation during the upheaval and change of the Reformation in Europe. In this influential work, St. Teresa of Avila gives practical advice for incorporating prayer in one's everyday life and in using meditation and time spent in quiet repose to form a greater union with God and understanding of Christian mysticism. Through such meditation and deep contemplation, one could reach a state of rapture, or true communion with God. This guide directs its readers step by step to achieve a greater sense of spirituality and closeness with God by embracing fraternal love, rejecting material possessions, and practicing true humility. St. Teresa of Avila's practical wisdom has been deeply influential and continues to inspire the faithful centuries later. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Rev. John Dalton.