The Way of Perfection

A guide to living by the great truths of Christianity--the simplest and most practical work of Teresa of Avila.

<p>t. Teresa of Jesus, was a Spanish nun and one of the great mystics and religious women of the Roman Catholic Church. She was the leader of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of this religious order. Canonized in 1622, she was elevated to Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970, the first woman to be so honored. E. ALLISON PEERS is the translator of many great works of Spanish verse and mysticism.</p>

Introduction

13

(8)

Translator's Note

21

(8)

General Argument

29

(1)

Protestation

30

(3)

Prologue

33

(3)

Of the reason which moved me to found this convent in such strict observance

36

(3)

Treats of how the necessities of the body should be disregarded and of the good that comes from poverty

39

(6)

Continues the subject begun in the first and persuades the sisters to busy themselves constantly in beseeching God to help those who work for the Church. Ends with an exclamatory prayer

45

(7)

Exhorts the nuns to keep their Rule and names three things which are important for the spiritual life. Describes the first of these three things, which is love of one's neighbour, and speaks of the harm which can be done by individual friendships

52

(10)

Appendix to Chapter 4

60

(2)

Continues speaking of confessors. Explains why it is important that they should be learned men

62

(5)

Returns to the subject of perfect love, already begun

67

(5)

Treats of the same subject of spiritual love and gives certain counsels for gaining it

72

(9)

Treats of the great benefit of self-detachment, both interior and exterior, from all things created

81

(3)

Treats of the great blessing that shunning their relatives brings to those who have left the world and shows how by doing so they will find truer friends

84

(4)

Teaches that detachment from the things aforementioned is insufficient if we are not detached from our own selves and that this virtue and humility go together

88

(5)

Continues to treat of mortification and describes how it may be attained in times of sickness

93

(4)

Teaches that the true lover of God must care little for life and honour

97

(6)

Continues to treat of mortification and explains how one must renounce the world's standards of wisdom in order to attain to true wisdom

103

(5)

Treats of the great importance of not professing anyone whose spirit is contrary to the things aforementioned

108

(3)

Treats of the great advantage which comes from our not excusing ourselves, even though we find we are unjustly condemned

111

(5)

Describes the difference between perfection in the lives of contemplatives and in the lives of those who are content with mental prayer. Explains how it is sometimes possible for God to raise a distracted soul to perfect contemplation and the reason for this. This chapter and that which comes next are to be noted carefully

116

(7)

How not all souls are fitted for contemplation and how some take long to attain it. True humility will walk happily along the road by which the Lord leads it

123

(5)

Continues the same subject and shows how much greater are the trials of contemplatives than those of actives. This chapter offers great consolation to actives

128

(6)

Begins to treat of prayer. Addresses souls who cannot reason with the understanding

134

(11)

Describes how, in one way or another, we never lack consolation on the road of prayer. Counsels the sisters to include this subject continually in their conversation

145

(5)

Describes the great importance of setting out upon the practice of prayer with firm resolution and of heeding no difficulties put in the way by the devil

150

(6)

Explains the meaning of mental prayer

156

(6)

Describes the importance of not turning back when one has set out upon the way of prayer. Repeats how necessary it is to be resolute

162

(4)

Describes how vocal prayer may be practised with perfection and how closely allied it is to mental prayer

166

(4)

Describes the great gain which comes to a soul when it practises vocal prayer perfectly. Shows how God may raise it thence to things supernatural

170

(3)

Continues the description of a method for recollecting the thoughts. Describes means of doing this. This chapter is very profitable for those who are beginning prayer

173

(6)

Describes the great love shown us by the Lord in the first words of the Paternoster and the great importance of our making no account of good birth if we truly desire to be the daughters of God

179

(4)

Describes the nature of the Prayer of Recollection and sets down some of the means by which we can make it a habit

183

(7)

Continues to describe methods for achieving this Prayer of Recollection. Says what little account we should make of being favoured by our superiors

190

(5)

Describes the importance of understanding what we ask for in prayer. Treats of these words in the Paternoster: ``Sanctificetur nomentuum, adveniat regnum tuum''. Applies them to the Prayer of Quiet, and begins the explanation of them

195

(5)

Continues the same subject. Explains what is meant by the Prayer of Quiet. Gives several counsels to those who experience it. This is very noteworthy

200

(10)

Expounds these words of the Paternoster: ``Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra.'' Describes how much is accomplished by those who repeat these words with full resolution and how well the Lord rewards them for it

210

(8)

Treats of our great need that the Lord should give us what we ask in these words of the Paternoster: ``Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie.''

218

(4)

Continues the same subject. This is very suitable for reading after the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament

222

(10)

Describes the recollection which should be practised after Communion. Concludes this subject with an exclamatory prayer to the Eternal Father

232

(4)

Treats of these words in the Paternoster: ``Dimitte nobis debita nostra''

236

(9)

Describes the excellence of this prayer called the Paternoster, and the many ways in which we shall find consolation in it

245

(3)

Treats of the great need which we have to beseech the Eternal Father to grant us what we ask in these words: ``Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.'' Explains certain temptations. This chapter is noteworthy

248

(8)

Continues the same subject and gives counsels concerning different kinds of temptation. Suggests two remedies by which we may be freed from temptations

256

(5)

Describes how, by striving always to walk in the love and fear of God, we shall travel safely amid all these temptations

261

(5)

Speaks of the fear of God and of how we must keep ourselves from venial sins

266

(8)

Treats of these last words of the Paternoster: ``Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.'' ``But deliver us from evil. Amen.''

274

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The Way of Perfection

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials