The Way of Perfection: A Study EditionSt. Teresa of Avila is an unsurpassed teacher of Christian prayer, and in The Way of Perfection she is at her best. Now with the help of this study edition and its helpful commentary and explanations by Teresian expert Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, everyone can enjoy the benefits of her wisdom. More Information The principles and teachings in Teresa's book, first presented within the limited horizons of her own situation, clearly lend themselves to broader applications, and can work well in all walks of life. This study edition-with its introduction, commentary, notes, discussion questions, and glossary-provides what is needed to assist contemporary readers in making these applications and delving more deeply into the text's spiritual riches. |
Contents
Abbreviations | 4 |
Prologue | 29 |
The reason I founded the monastery with such | 37 |
Treats of how one should not worry about bodily | 43 |
Continues the subject she began to discuss in | 53 |
Urges the observance of the rule and discusses | 65 |
Continues on the subject of confessors Speaks | 77 |
Returns to the subject already begun that of perfect | 85 |
Tells how important it is to begin the practice | 229 |
Explains what mental prayer is | 241 |
Treats of how important it is for one who has | 251 |
How vocal prayer must be recited with perfection | 259 |
Tells how much the soul gains through a perfect | 269 |
Explains a method for recollecting ones mind | 277 |
Deals with the great love our Lord showed us in | 289 |
Explains the nature of the prayer of recollection | 299 |
Treats of the same subject spiritual love and gives | 95 |
The great good that lies in detaching oneself | 107 |
On how good it is for those who have left | 113 |
How it is not enough to be detached from what | 121 |
Continues to discuss mortification and speaks | 129 |
How the true lovers of God will have little regard | 135 |
Continues to discuss mortification and how | 145 |
The importance of not allowing anyone to make | 153 |
The great good that lies in not excusing oneself | 161 |
The difference that must lie between the perfec | 169 |
Not all souls are suited for contemplation | 181 |
Continues on the same subject and tells how | 193 |
Begins to discuss prayer Speaks to souls unable | 203 |
How in different ways consolation is never lacking | 219 |
Continues to present means for obtaining this | 317 |
The importance of understanding what is being | 327 |
Continues on the same subject Explains the | 337 |
Discusses the words of the Our Father Fiat | 355 |
Deals with the great need we have that the Lord | 369 |
With a prayerful exclamation to the Eternal | 391 |
Speaks of the excellence of this prayer the | 413 |
Continues the same subject gives advice about | 429 |
Speaks of the fear of God and of how we must | 449 |
Sed libera | 461 |
Notes | 473 |
Glossary | 501 |
517 | |