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The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 1

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Teresa of Avila has three popular books in print that continue to aid the spiritual development, which is impressive, considering she lived during the 1500s. A Christian mystic, the knowledge that she imparted in her writings was esteemed so highly, that she was the first woman to receive the title of "doctor," by the Catholic Church. Religious and political leaders sought her advice. Her ideas revolutionized religious life, particularly with the emphasis on equality of all members of the order, and her teachings on cultivating a spiritual life focused on prayer, transform lives to this day. Other popular works she wrote and that are still in circulation include "The Interior Castle," and "The Way of Perfection," but it is best to start with her autobiography, since these both of other works refer to ideas mentioned in her autobiography.

There are many interpretations of her writings available on the market, but I have always found Kieran Kavanaugh's editions to be the most insightful. He prefaces the books with a background with background information about Teresa's life, the atmosphere in which she lived, and ideas of her contemporaries. The translations he provides are clear and he adds notes to explain religious and cultural practices which might seem alien to the modern reader. The fact that his work is published through the Institute of Carmelite Studies adds an air of authenticity, since it was the order with which Teresa was affiliated and strived so hard to reform, that other editions lack.

This is no ordinary autobiography, as Teresa was no ordinary woman. Despite her extraordinariness, the book is written in a conversational tone, which makes her ideas easy to understand and remember; one feels as if she is talking to the reader personally. She also conveys ideas and struggles that ordinary people confront, such as not being sure if she has a calling for the religious life (in the beginning, unlike most Christian writers, she say that she never wanted to be a nun), wondering what God's plan for her is, and experiencing spiritual dryness - in which the great teacher of prayer admits to lacking the motivation to pray regularly. How she discerns solutions for these questions is inspirational for any reader.

The extraordinary aspect of her life revolves around her commitment to trying to learn better ways to speak to God and seek God in her life, which was the basis for her prayer life. Witnesses attended her church with the hope of seeing her rise off the floor in an ecstasy, and she does devote some of the book to defining differences between different states of ecstasy and rapture. She also lists different ways in which people may hear God speak to them; some relate to apparitions, which may interest the reader who is interested in these phenomena as they are claimed to exit in the modern day.

But more helpful, for the majority of us, she outlines paths of spiritual development, how sometimes the best of use can only muster enough strength to mouth prayers in difficult times, but that we should continue to persevere, because perseverance will bring spiritual development if out intention is pure. She believes that fundamentally, prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God, and through our practice of talking to God, we will learn how to hear him more clearly and speak to him with more respect and ask better questions. She outlines different sages to prayer that exist, with vocal prayer being the most basic, and mental prayer being the most developed. She articulates that people's approach to the path may vary; different passages inspire people differently, and some religious practices offer more help for some than for others, but this is appropriate, and there are many paths to the same mansion. Through all her advice, she encourages a joyful approach to living one's religion, because we should be happy to serve God with love as he loves us.

Teresa de Ahumada born in Spain on March 28, 1515, died October 4, 1582 at the age of 67.

A woman of warmth, generosity and spiritual awareness. As a young child Teresa was made aware of God's presence and throughout her lifetime made it her mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to as many as she encountered.

She journeyed throughout Spain and laid many Foundations to do God's work. St. John of the Cross was one of her spiritual directors as she went forth to build God's kingdom.

Volume One has two books: " The Book of Her Life" The Book of Her Life and "Her Spiritual Testimonies . Other collected works of Saint Teresa which are found in Volume Two are " The Way of Perfection" The Way of Perfection and " The Interior Castle The Interior Castleand in Volume Three " The Book of Her Foundations" and " Minor Works".The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume Three by Keiran Kavanaugh

St. Teresa of Avila, who lived in sixteenth century Spain, was a woman as complex as those turbulent times; yet also, she was simple, as only the greatest saints can be.

Her writings are discursive, immediately engaging, written in a warm and sometimes disjointed style, like conversation. If you have read "about" Teresa but put off reading the works of the saint herself, feeling it might be too formidable a task, have no fear. She speaks of the highest mystical experiences in terms accessible to 21st century readers. There are some cultural references and attitudes to be filtered, but over all, Teresa's tremendous pleasure in her loving relationship with God, shines through. Do not be put off by the distance of centuries; don't feel that Teresa is too holy to be comprehended. Read the story of her life, and read her descriptions of the stages of a mystical spiritual journey leading to a marvelous knowledge of God, and an ineffable sharing with God.

Teresa speaks to all of us, wherever we are in our faith journeys, whenever we live, whatever our state. Her writings are classic outpourings of a soul sometimes desolate, sometimes ecstatic, but always, dedicated to God. Teresa defies category or analysis. You must read her to experience her.

Spirituality development and growth can be difficult in these modern times. St Teresa's life and spiritual journey can easily be taken in small doses and applied daily. Her mystical visions can be understood personaly - a rare treat.

The prophet Hosea tells us, "Strive to know the LORD, he will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth" (Hos 6:3). This is a perfect way of introducing the writings Saint Teresa of Avila, in the book that came to be known as The Life of Teresa of Jesus, sometimes simply referred to as "the book of her life."

If we want to respond to the call given to each of us, "to know the LORD," we cannot do better than beginning with the teachings of this woman, the Doctor of Prayer. We all look for the "How do we do this?" or tried and true ways or methods that we can follow. In this regard, Saint Teresa of Avila can deliver! This book is a great introduction to her thought on prayer which is found throughout her works.

From her own experience, like the prophet Hosea, Saint Teresa uses water to describe how we can form a relationship with the Lord through prayer, which she insists is the only way! With her sixteenth century mind, she speaks of four different ways a garden may be watered. 1) We can draw water--go to the well and lower the bucket. 2) We can build a mechanical device that will pump the water--she uses the idea of a waterwheel with buckets. 3) We can develop a method of providing automatic irrigation--fed by a stream or brook. 4) Lastly, it can rain, like the prophet says above! Likening our souls to a garden, and using the above examples, she shows by comparison that there are differing but advanced and superior methods of praying. She describes these as the "Four Degrees of Prayer."

Unless we are in the most advanced stages of prayer, which is rare, Saint Teresa describes certain commitments that fall on us before we can claim the water we need for our garden." For instance, beginners (and sometimes people at all levels) must be willing to go to the well and draw the water. Should we be unwilling, she speaks of our "ruin" even though Jesus has promised an abundance of "living water." This is her First Degree of Prayer, also called the "first water." Formally, it is known as Meditation. This is expected to supply and carry us to the next stage, called Mental Prayer. Lowering the bucket--Saint Teresa says "it is in these early stages that their labor is hardest ... and God grant there may be water in it! But that, at least, does not depend on us: our task is to draw it up."

She teaches us to be recollected people, to train our minds to be "recollected." This is all preparation for advanced stages, so the Lord can do his work. Accordingly, [for] beginners in prayer, Saint Teresa tell us, that "this is a very laborious proceeding, for it will fatigue them to keep their senses recollected, which is a great labor because they have been accustomed to a life of distraction. Beginners must accustom themselves to pay no heed to what they see or hear, and they must practice doing this during hours of prayer; they must be alone and in their solitude think over their past life" and that all, indeed, whether beginners or proficients, must do this frequently.

The saint goes on for eleven chapters, over 60 pages describing these "Four Degrees." Impossible to summarize all of that here, we can reinforce her teaching from other sources, the first being Pope Paul VI. Since many people have long lists of vocal prayers they say every day, he cautioned about these supplanting [Teresa's teaching about] daily meditation and mental prayer. In his Apostolic Letter Ecclesiae Sanctae, #21 to Religious, he said that in order that they "may more intimately and fruitfully participate in the most holy mystery of the Eucharist and the public prayer of the Church, and that their whole spiritual life may be nourished more abundantly, a larger place should be given to mental prayer instead of a multitude of prayers, retaining nevertheless the pious exercises commonly accepted in the Church and giving due care that the members are instructed diligently in leading a spiritual life." If this can be beneficial to them, it can be beneficial to all of us.

Furthermore, Father Thomas Dubay treats this, showing that there can be definite recognizable growth in following Paul VI's advice. He says there are inclinations we may experience at prayer time so that we may not "quench the Spirit!" This all closely follows the advice of Saint Teresa that all prayer, even vocal prayer, should be mental prayer, i.e. a loving conversation with the God who we know loves us. This recognizable growth, which her discourse is all about, can be summarized briefly in the following: 1) In Discursive Meditation, we find a "leading to" or "trying to" talk to the Lord inwardly. 2) Meditation and Mental Prayer: there is a "quest" in your prayer and you feel yourself "desiring" God, though you feel empty and dry. 3) You can be and are "aware" of God in a delightful way--not very long--a few minutes. This can be coupled with distractions.

Other signs are discernable at more advanced stages of prayer, usually called "Contemplation." Better here, however, to simply mention this and to grasp better the above. Thomas Merton, in "Seeds of Contemplation," chapter 19 on "Mental Prayer," begins mentioning "Contemplation" as God work alone, but still we have to prepare for him to do it--all in agreement with Saint Teresa. That is what she is describing here. While we should not avoid learning her extensive treatise, if you can read Merton's valuable concise summary, it can be very practical introduction for any of us to begin to grasp the whole process.

This book is a wonderful translation on the writings of St. Teresa of Avila. Each page lifts my mind and inspires my soul with increased fervor and sincerity to serve the Lord Our God. I am very glad I purchased this book on her life.

The company I bought this from originally sent me the wrong book but they allowed me to keep it as a gift. I gave that book and this as a gift to my husband so as for the content of the book I can't comment much on although he loves all of the works of St. Teresa. The book came in good condition for the price I got it at and was very pleased with it.

This edition helps the reader understand and accept a 16th century approach to holy writings by St. Theresa and her struggles to achieve sainthood. The reader is right beside her as she relates her holy experiences in the context of a more circumscribed religious community. Her search for the triumph of good over evil is lengthy yet in the end her rewards are inspirational. Her humility is apparent, while her sincerity is unquestionable. There are many lessons for anyone searching for spiritual growth in St Theresa's own words.