Camino de perfección

Camino de perfección

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  • Create Date:2022-11-24 04:41:36
  • Update Date:2025-09-24
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  • Author:Teresa de Jesús
  • ISBN:8467043768
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Reviews

Lily Carson

st teresa is crazy and i love her。 i feel so challenged by her writings! A must read for advancing in the spiritual life

mraziyen

An absolute must read for all Christians who wish to grow in holiness and in perfection。 I must preface that this book probably is not for new converts, I think it would be too intense and daunting for those new to the faith。 I've heard of atheists and spiritually curious people reading this book and enjoying it too, so maybe a warning is unnecessary。 But even so, it was a lot for me to read, and you'll see that St Teresa truly is a saint。 If I could summarize this book, it would be that detachm An absolute must read for all Christians who wish to grow in holiness and in perfection。 I must preface that this book probably is not for new converts, I think it would be too intense and daunting for those new to the faith。 I've heard of atheists and spiritually curious people reading this book and enjoying it too, so maybe a warning is unnecessary。 But even so, it was a lot for me to read, and you'll see that St Teresa truly is a saint。 If I could summarize this book, it would be that detachment from the world and attachment to God is the way of perfection。 Avoid sin (yes, even venial sin!) and grow in virtue。 Pray without ceasing, and especially practice mental prayer。 Growing up protestant, I never heard of Christian meditation。 Only when I became catholic did I learn about the mystical side of Christianity, and if you want an introduction to Christian mysticism, St Teresa is one of the OG you can learn from。 She gives practical tips on how to practice mental prayer and how to grow in holiness。 Perfection in this life is possible, but it is only possible when you are totally and utterly devoted to God。 I keep hearing St Teresa's voice in my mind now。 She truly understands the human condition, and is really relatable to me, a married laywoman today, even as a nun from the 16th century。 。。。more

Stefanie Ng

Very readable!Just as it was intended for - handbook to her nuns in the cloistered monastery。Written four centuries ago,but still so relevant or even more so today,as we are distracted in this information/media overloaded age and not making time for spiritual contemplation。We are not in cloistered monastery,but today,we have cloistered ourselves in our own social media and ego-centric busyness。

Surisaray

This book is so rich , fruitful when studied。 I do not consider it an easy read as the language is from the 16 th century。 In my case, I had to go over some chapters sometimes 3 times as I wanted to capture why she said what she said。 One if my favorite parts was her analysis on the Pater Nostre prayer, this was sublime。 Again, this a book to savour。 I listened to the audio in its original language in albalearning。com。 Beautifully read, highly recommend it。 Note to self: read again。

Edward Hodge

A really good insight into this well known contemplative。 Most of the book is a deep study of the Lord's prayer。 A really good insight into this well known contemplative。 Most of the book is a deep study of the Lord's prayer。 。。。more

Raquel

Santa Teresa de Ávila, dejó en sus escritos como se tienen que comportar las siervas para seguir a la perfección al señor, también le sirve a una persona mundana, actuar de ese modo que describe y llegar a la santidad y a lo que quiere el señor que hagamos, que nos amemos como él lo hizo。 Para reflexionar, tomar nota y poner en práctica。

Mateo

At times difficult to follow but also at times extremely powerful and memorable quotes。 Ultimately a really good guide on delving deeper into the meaning of the Pater Noster (Our Father prayer)。

Ian

This was a challenging read。 It's dense (even though only 150 pages) and I felt Teresa rambled on at times but the chapters on the Paternoster (The Lord's Prayer) were excellent。 I learnt a great deal。Teresa holds some very traditional views which are good to reflect upon and recognising that she grew up in the Catholic Church (of which I'm not a member of) there will always be a few differences in theologies。 However, there are so many commonalties, the not the least the absolute desire to love This was a challenging read。 It's dense (even though only 150 pages) and I felt Teresa rambled on at times but the chapters on the Paternoster (The Lord's Prayer) were excellent。 I learnt a great deal。Teresa holds some very traditional views which are good to reflect upon and recognising that she grew up in the Catholic Church (of which I'm not a member of) there will always be a few differences in theologies。 However, there are so many commonalties, the not the least the absolute desire to love the Lord and to make Him our greatest love。May I suggest you read it slowly, 1-2 chapters at a time。 There are 40+ so they are mostly 3-4 pages length but there is much good content especially regarding the Lord's Prayer。 。。。more

Bob

Summary: Teresa’s instructions to nuns on the spiritual life of prayer and meditations on the Lord’s Prayer as a way to contemplative prayer。I have yet to find the Christian who describes prayer as easy。 Yet I know many who have persisted, wrestled with distractions, struggled with doubt, and broken through to times of intimacy with God, a sense of being greatly loved by the Father, and have witnessed the work of God in answer to one’s prayers。In the late sixteenth century, the mystic, Teresa of Summary: Teresa’s instructions to nuns on the spiritual life of prayer and meditations on the Lord’s Prayer as a way to contemplative prayer。I have yet to find the Christian who describes prayer as easy。 Yet I know many who have persisted, wrestled with distractions, struggled with doubt, and broken through to times of intimacy with God, a sense of being greatly loved by the Father, and have witnessed the work of God in answer to one’s prayers。In the late sixteenth century, the mystic, Teresa of Avila, gave a series of instructive meditations for the nuns in her order that have been collected in The Way of Perfection, a spiritual classic that has been read to the profit of many others wishing to deepen their own lives of prayer。 This edition, sadly no longer in print, has been mildly edited and updated in language, to introduce Teresa’s instructions to a new generation。Teresa begins by pointing to the role the Church plays in their formation and encourages their prayer for its theologians and priests。 She urges them in love for each other, detachment from both family and the world, and humility, whether in quietly continuing in one’s prayers amid minor illness and accepting false accusations。 Moments of transcendence in contemplative prayer are transitory, but the call to a life of self-sacrifice is ongoing。She uses images from every day life to illuminate her ideas。 For example, she likens prayer to water that cools, cleanses, and quenches thirst。 She speaks of vocal, mental, and contemplative prayer, the latter a wordless resting in God’s presence。 Her counsel is to be attentive in praying as we are able。 Like many spiritual teachers, she invites us to pray the Our Father。 She believes the Lord’s Prayer may take us into God’s presence:“In case you think there isn’t much to gain by practicing vocal prayer perfectly, I must tell you that while you are repeating the Paternoster or some other vocal prayer, the Lord might possibly grant you perfect contemplation。 In this way our Lord shows He is listening to the persons speaking to Him。 He is speaking to her, suspending her understanding, and taking the words out of her mouth so she cannot speak even if she wants to。”Thus, she emphasizes that contemplation is a gift of the Lord。 The focus is on Jesus, his indwelling of us and presence walking with us, rather than in seeking an experience。The latter half of the book is a series of talks focusing on the phrases of the Our Father。 C。 S。 Lewis has written of how we may use the prayer as a structure that we “festoon” with our prayers and petitions。 Her meditations are something like this, a reflection, I suspect, of how this has been so in her own prayer life。 For many of us, the petition “forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others” is perhaps the most difficult。 Her reflections on this are particularly rich and challenging, emphasizing that our forgiveness of others precedes, at least in intention, the request for forgiveness。There is a bit of “stream of consciousness” in her writing, probably reflecting the turns of her mind。 This warrants the re-reading meditatively of what she has written。 I wonder whether perfection, even of contemplation can be attained in this life。 There is a strain of that here, but Teresa tempers this with encouragements to practical self-sacrifice, and faithfulness in praying as we are able。My own experience is that I have learned more about prayer by being in the presence of those who have lived lives of prayer, as I have listened to them pray and talk about their prayer life than by books。 While we cannot pray with Teresa, we overhear her prayers and her instruction as one who prays。 Little wonder this book has stood the test of time and speaks to us over four centuries later。 。。。more

Robert Mulley

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I don't normally comment on books directly as to benefit or lack thereof but in this case, I will。 I am surprised at the subject matter, how helpful this book has been。 I am surprised at the continuity of prayer experience between a medieval nun and a broken down old 20 - 21st century Evangelical。 (former Evangelical) Her perceptions of experiences in prayer and in forming a basis for prayer are spot on with my limited degrees of silent and spoken types; given some caveats。 The last 100 - or so I don't normally comment on books directly as to benefit or lack thereof but in this case, I will。 I am surprised at the subject matter, how helpful this book has been。 I am surprised at the continuity of prayer experience between a medieval nun and a broken down old 20 - 21st century Evangelical。 (former Evangelical) Her perceptions of experiences in prayer and in forming a basis for prayer are spot on with my limited degrees of silent and spoken types; given some caveats。 The last 100 - or so pages sing so resonant to my own experiences and her answers of why God deals with us the way he does, is making so much sense; even as a post-modern male Christ follower。 Her descriptions of faith have so much depth and speak of total allegiance / surrender than the current mental ascent formula we hear。 ("Ask Christ into your heart by faith as fire insurance and grace will cover all your current and future indiscretions。 ") This is not the faith of Teresa or the historic church。Also am impressed with her interior life of having a suitable place for Christ in the Spirit to reside。 Our life should not be a flea bag motel for his residence but a well order and arranged place。 Humble and clean, and not cluttered with our baggage。 We are his, he is our master, we are servant and only elevated as He sees fit; not by our own egos。 We don't impress Him; we bow the knee to Him。 He owns the lodging, not us。A highly profitable reading experience and one that all Christ followers should read and appreciate。 。。。more

Maurisa Mayerle

Written as a treatise on contemplative prayer for the sisters within her order it would not seem there would be much a simple layman might derive from reading。 Fortunately, there is much meat here for anyone seeking a deeper relationship with Christ in prayer。

Teresa Lynn Ramsey

Teresa wrote this book to instruct the novices in her monastery, in part because her autobiography was forbidden reading for them ( according to the Spanish church authorities of the time)。 Rich with insight into Teresa’s thought processes and spiritual practices, her personality really shines forth。 Her suggestions on prayer and especially the Lord’s Prayer are helpful。 The volume was well annotated with the internal references duly noted as well as the various redactions and refactors identifi Teresa wrote this book to instruct the novices in her monastery, in part because her autobiography was forbidden reading for them ( according to the Spanish church authorities of the time)。 Rich with insight into Teresa’s thought processes and spiritual practices, her personality really shines forth。 Her suggestions on prayer and especially the Lord’s Prayer are helpful。 The volume was well annotated with the internal references duly noted as well as the various redactions and refactors identified。 Wonderful book for Teresa fans, maybe not for the less devoted reader。 。。。more

Leonardo

Citado en Jesús, el buen Pastor de la historia humana。 Citado en Jesús, el buen Pastor de la historia humana。 。。。more

Catie

There is lots of great wisdom in here by Saint Teresa of Avila。 I'm sure I missed a great deal of it。 The second half of the book, which goes line by line through the Our Father is a wonderful meditation for all, even those of us who are not religious sisters。 This feels like one of those books that should be read in different stages of life and I hope to return to it in my future years。 There is lots of great wisdom in here by Saint Teresa of Avila。 I'm sure I missed a great deal of it。 The second half of the book, which goes line by line through the Our Father is a wonderful meditation for all, even those of us who are not religious sisters。 This feels like one of those books that should be read in different stages of life and I hope to return to it in my future years。 。。。more

Jairo Fraga

Um livro muito bom, de simples escrita, e que não era inicialmente algo que se pensava para publicar。Orienta a não ficar murmurando e se queixando de pequenas dores, se estiver realmente doente, isso se transparecerá naturalmente para as outras monjas。 Para fugir das tentações, deve-se tentar fazer algum serviço mais baixo, livrando-se das honras。Deve-se praticar o desapego das criaturas, como a família, citada pela Santa, no sentido em que os leigos casados, por exemplo, devem amar mais a Deus Um livro muito bom, de simples escrita, e que não era inicialmente algo que se pensava para publicar。Orienta a não ficar murmurando e se queixando de pequenas dores, se estiver realmente doente, isso se transparecerá naturalmente para as outras monjas。 Para fugir das tentações, deve-se tentar fazer algum serviço mais baixo, livrando-se das honras。Deve-se praticar o desapego das criaturas, como a família, citada pela Santa, no sentido em que os leigos casados, por exemplo, devem amar mais a Deus que a sua esposa/esposo。Sobre se defender de calúnias/injustiças, Santa Teresa, tal como muitos outros santos, recomendam não se defender, pois essa atitude é a imitação perfeita de Cristo, exceto se do silêncio resultar desgosto ou escândalo。Diz que na oração vocal, é de muito maior proveito rezar uma só palavra do pai-nosso do que repetir inteiro por várias vezes apressadamente, e é importante iniciar com a oração vocal。Ao analisar o Pai-Nosso, lembra para nos atentar às tentações de escrúpulos, de sempre nos achar indignos de comparecer perante à Eucaristia, podendo cair em desconfiança da misericórdia divina。É um livro que foi escrita para as outras monjas do convento onde ela era Priora。 Recomendo como acompanhamento ou após ler o livro, o curso do Padre Paulo Ricardo, de mesmo nome do livro da Santa。Tempo estimado de leitura: 5h 。。。more

Mark Matzeder

In 42 short chapters the nun who called herself Teresa of Jesus, and whom we know as Teresa of Avila expounds on praying the Pateroster。 Teresa is offering her Sisters a tool to focus in their quest to achieve Contemplation。Teresa gets distracted a lot。 She goes off on tangents, but tangents worth following。 Her strongest points involve giving up ego and attachments。 Her weakest are fine points of theology。 Teresa was a child of her times and reacting strongly against the Reformation。 She always In 42 short chapters the nun who called herself Teresa of Jesus, and whom we know as Teresa of Avila expounds on praying the Pateroster。 Teresa is offering her Sisters a tool to focus in their quest to achieve Contemplation。Teresa gets distracted a lot。 She goes off on tangents, but tangents worth following。 Her strongest points involve giving up ego and attachments。 Her weakest are fine points of theology。 Teresa was a child of her times and reacting strongly against the Reformation。 She always defers to the Church。 In treating the Our Father she quotes it first in Latin, then explains how sisters might internalize each point。 I find chanting in languages I don't speak--whether Latin or Greek or Hindu--assists the process of transcending the words, which after all, is the whole point。The Way of Perfection contains some valuable nuggets to gather for those who are interested in pursuing a path of Contemplation。 。。。more

Angela

St。 Teresa's writings are like a conversation with a friend—mostly on-track, apologizing when she rambles, and filled with good, honest wisdom。[The devil] thinks he has caused their ruin, but out of the evil which he has been trying to do the Lord brings good。 This is written for cloistered nuns, so I expected to dismiss some of the more "devout" instructions as impossible for laymen。 But that wasn't the case at all。 Its advice for a holy life is applicable for us all。 It discusses at length prac St。 Teresa's writings are like a conversation with a friend—mostly on-track, apologizing when she rambles, and filled with good, honest wisdom。[The devil] thinks he has caused their ruin, but out of the evil which he has been trying to do the Lord brings good。 This is written for cloistered nuns, so I expected to dismiss some of the more "devout" instructions as impossible for laymen。 But that wasn't the case at all。 Its advice for a holy life is applicable for us all。 It discusses at length practicing Godly love, separation from worldly things, and humility。 If anything, St。 Teresa's instruction is more important for layman。 Unable to separate ourselves from the world, it takes more effort to keep these good things first。It dissects the Our Father, stressing the meaning and importance of each individual phrase。 It's easy for this to become a rote prayer, but we're to remember its goodness of true worship with each repetition。 These chapters can be used as a meditation, too。I used this book as a daily reader, starting my day with a chapter or two。 It's a good one for it, and will be good to reference individual chapters later (which I bookmarked) or as a prayer guide。if we serve Him more, we shall deserve to enjoy Him more, and grieve that we have served Him so little。 。。。more

sch

Recommended by John Senior。

Christopher Moellering

I found this more accessable than St。 Teresa's The Autobiography of St。 Teresa Of Avila: The Life of St。 Teresa of JesusLife。 That is nothing against her as a spiritual master, but has far more to do with me。 In the Way of Perfection she focuses primarily on vocal prayer (including an extended treatment of the Our Father) and shows how there really isn't much distinction between vocal and mental prayer if we but pay attention to what we are saying。Written as direction for the sisters in her conv I found this more accessable than St。 Teresa's The Autobiography of St。 Teresa Of Avila: The Life of St。 Teresa of JesusLife。 That is nothing against her as a spiritual master, but has far more to do with me。 In the Way of Perfection she focuses primarily on vocal prayer (including an extended treatment of the Our Father) and shows how there really isn't much distinction between vocal and mental prayer if we but pay attention to what we are saying。Written as direction for the sisters in her convent where she was abess, this work is not just for professed religious, but has good counsel for anyone trying to follow our Lord。 。。。more

Michael Choi

Deserves a re-read laterFavourite quote"It is certain that a man who has no need of anyone has many friends" Deserves a re-read laterFavourite quote"It is certain that a man who has no need of anyone has many friends" 。。。more

Rosemary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 The bottom line teaching of this book is good and knowing the cultural background against when St Teresa wrote this is good。 However, it's extremely wordy and without my ability to skim I don't know that I would have felt like I came away with what she wanted to say。 Reading Sr。 Ruth Burrow's writings about St。 Teresa is much more beneficial and enjoyable。 The bottom line teaching of this book is good and knowing the cultural background against when St Teresa wrote this is good。 However, it's extremely wordy and without my ability to skim I don't know that I would have felt like I came away with what she wanted to say。 Reading Sr。 Ruth Burrow's writings about St。 Teresa is much more beneficial and enjoyable。 。。。more

Amanda

DNF

Charlotte

This is a great book! I learned a great deal about how to say the Our Father and the spiritual journey to Our Lord。

Kirsten

I found this book a real challenge, and may not have finished if it weren’t for some of my book club friends who really loved it! I found some helpful thoughts and quotes, but felt I had to work really hard to sort through what was relevant and what was not。 Glad that others have found this helpful, but it just wasn’t for me。 2。5 stars

Nicklas Nylander

Ödmjukhet är nyckeln!

Jenny Wilson

There were some amazing things in this book, but I still found it super slow going。 It was a bit unorganized, but the insights into the spiritual life were indeed worth the effort。

Elizabeth

A Blessing

Esmeralda Vorewer

Non semplice da capire se prima non si è letto "Storia della mia vita"。 È bene saperlo。 Non semplice da capire se prima non si è letto "Storia della mia vita"。 È bene saperlo。 。。。more

Andrew

This is really an essential book on prayer。 Father Kavanaugh's commentary is incredibly helpful。 I read this in Lent 2021 along with ICS Publication's podcast CarmelCast, which was also useful in applying this to the lay state。 Even though St。 Teresa wrote this for the nuns in her convent, this has rich material to apply to my own prayer life。 I will certainly re-read this in the future。 There's too much to really grasp in just one reading。 This is really an essential book on prayer。 Father Kavanaugh's commentary is incredibly helpful。 I read this in Lent 2021 along with ICS Publication's podcast CarmelCast, which was also useful in applying this to the lay state。 Even though St。 Teresa wrote this for the nuns in her convent, this has rich material to apply to my own prayer life。 I will certainly re-read this in the future。 There's too much to really grasp in just one reading。 。。。more

Phoebe Lim

This book has helped me a lot。 Having tried to read the Imitation of Christ a few years ago (and then stopped because of how much it terrified me and gave me scruples), I was worried this book would be similar, but it wasn't。 St。 Teresa calls her Carmelite daughters to conversion and greater holiness in a very human and loving but also firm way - her personality, kind but unflinching, humble but strong, shines through, as does her great love for Jesus and for others。 This book has helped me a lot。 Having tried to read the Imitation of Christ a few years ago (and then stopped because of how much it terrified me and gave me scruples), I was worried this book would be similar, but it wasn't。 St。 Teresa calls her Carmelite daughters to conversion and greater holiness in a very human and loving but also firm way - her personality, kind but unflinching, humble but strong, shines through, as does her great love for Jesus and for others。 。。。more