The Way of Perfection: A Practical Guide to Christian Prayer and Spiritual Progress (Aziloth Books)

by Saint Teresa of Avila

Overview

Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) was a Spanish nun whose mystical experiences were at first considered satanic temptations, but were later recognized as deriving from her deep relationship with Deity. 'The Way of Perfection' is St. Teresa's most famous book, written primarily as a course of practical instruction for the Carmelite nuns under her direction. The text divides naturally into four sections: a brief introduction and a short explanation on the Rule of the Carmelite Order, followed by two longer segments, the first on different types of prayer and contemplation, and ending with an insightful, word-by-word exposition of The Lord's Prayer. This is practical guide to prayer, giving Saint Teresa's advice and instructions for the attainment of spiritual perfection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781908388766
Publisher:	Aziloth Books
Publication date:	04/12/2012
Pages:	156
Sales rank:	841,278
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

St. Teresa of Avila was born in 1515 at Avila, Spain, and her mother Beatriz was determined to bring her up as a good Christian. She attempted to find martyrdom by running away from home when she was seven, but was promptly stopped by her uncle. She later became a Carmelite nun and began to experience, while suffering from sickness, spiritual ecstasy as a result of reading Francisco de Osuna's Third Spiritual Alphabet. In 1599 she was convinced that she was actually seeing visions of Christ, which continued often for two years.

Teresa of Avila founded a good many convents, including at Andalusia, Palencia and Soria. She is also the author of The Interior Castle, The Way of Perfection, and an Autobiography. She died in 1582 at the age of 67, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. Her feast is celebrated on October 15.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE

GENERAL ARGUMENT

PROTESTATION PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1 - Of the reason which moved me to found this convent

CHAPTER 2 - Treats of how the necessities of the body should be disregarded

CHAPTER 3 - Continues the subject of the first

CHAPTER 4 - Exhorts the nuns to keep their Rule

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5 - Continues speaking of confessors.

CHAPTER 6 - Returns to the subject of perfect love.

CHAPTER 7 - Treats of the same subject of spiritual love.

CHAPTER 8 - Treats of the great benefit of self-detachment.

CHAPTER 9 - Treats of the great blessing that shunning their relatives brings.

CHAPTER 10 - Teaches that detachment from things aforementioned is insufficient

CHAPTER 11 - Continues to treat of mortification

CHAPTER 12 - Teaches that the true lover of God must care little for life

CHAPTER 13 - Continues to treat of mortification

CHAPTER 14 - Treats of not professing anyone whose spirit is contrary

CHAPTER 15 - Treats of the great advantage which comes from our not excusing ourselves,

CHAPTER 16 - Describes the difference between perfection in contemplatives and those who are content

CHAPTER 17 - How not all souls are fitted for contemplation

CHAPTER 18 - Continues the same subject

CHAPTER 19 - Begins to treat of prayer.

CHAPTER 20 - Describes how we never lack consolation on the road of prayer.

CHAPTER 21 - Describes the great importance of practice of prayer with firm resolution

CHAPTER 22 - Explains the meaning of mental prayer

CHAPTER 23 - Describes the importance of not turning back

CHAPTER 24 - Describes how vocal prayer may be practised with perfection

CHAPTER 25 - Describes the great gain which comes from vocal prayer

CHAPTER 26 - Continues the method for recollecting the thoughts.

CHAPTER 27 - Describes the great love shown us by the Lord in the first words of the Paternoster

CHAPTER 28 - Describes the nature of the Prayer of Recollection

CHAPTER 29 - Continues to describe methods for achieving this

CHAPTER 30 - Describes the importance of understanding what we ask for in prayer.

CHAPTER 31 - Continues the same subject.

CHAPTER 32 - Expounds these words of the Paternoster: “Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra.

CHAPTER 33 - Treats of our need the Lord should give us “Panem nostrum quotidianum de nobis hodie.”

CHAPTER 34 - Continues the same subject.

CHAPTER 35 - Describes the recollection which should be practised after Communion.

CHAPTER 36 - Treats of these words in the Paternoster: “Dimitte nobis debita nostra”

CHAPTER 37 - Describes the excellence of this prayer called the Paternoster,

CHAPTER 38 - Treats of the great need to beseech “Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.”

CHAPTER 39 - Continues the same subject and concerning different kinds of temptation

CHAPTER 40 - Describes how to travel safely amid all these temptations

CHAPTER 41 - Speaks of the fear of God

CHAPTER 42 - Treats of “Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.”