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Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel-On Prayer [Paperback]

Thomas Dubay
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 1989
This book is the fruit of Fr. Dubay's many years of study and experience in spiritual direction and in it he synthesizes the teachings on prayer of the two great doctors of the Church on prayer--St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila--and the teaching of Sacred Scripture.

But the teaching that Fr. Dubay synthesized is not collected from Teresa and John for contemplatives alone. It is meant for every Christian and is based on the Gospel imperative of personal prayer and the call to holiness. All the major elements of these great teachers are ordered, commented on and put in the context of their scriptural foundations. Here is an outstanding book on prayer and the spiritual life written by one of the best spiritual directors and retreat masters of our time, and based on the writings of the Church's two greatest mystical doctors.


Frequently Bought Together

Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel-On Prayer + Prayer Primer : Igniting a Fire Within + Deep Conversion/ Deep Prayer
Price for all three: $36.69

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 358 pages
  • Publisher: Ignatius Pr; First Edition edition (September 1989)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0898702631
  • ISBN-13: 978-0898702637
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

This is not a book one can or should read in a day or two. Over the Hill  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Very clear and concise explanations of passages that may be difficult. Terry Shepherd  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 95 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A life-changing book March 15, 2002
Format:Paperback
This book is a must for anyone who desires a closer relationship with God. It is literally a life-changing book and shows how deep contemplative prayer is possible for anyone in any walk of life. It dispels many misconceptions and objections about contemplative prayer: that it is impractical, takes too much time, is esoteric or has nothing to do with everday life and relationships. The author, basing himself squarely on two great masters of prayer, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, emphasizes that contemplative prayer is a gift of God; we cannot "earn" it or merit it in any way, though we have to make ourselves open to it by trying to live more and more according to Jesus' gospel. It does not depend on techniques (despite what many people think), but God will not give it unless we really want it. Contemplative prayer, a deep imersion in God, as Fr. Dubay so passionately puts it, is the "one thing" of the gospel, the "pearl of great price", yet God wants it for everyone. I don't come across many books that have changed my outlook on life, but this is one.
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69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Tradition April 9, 2000
By Dan
Format:Paperback
Fr. Thomas Dubay has been able to synthesize the teachings of two of the greatest teachers and mystics in the Catholic tradition. A comprehensive discussion of St. Teresa's "mansions" and St. John of the Cross's "dark night of the soul," this book is also a practical guide for people who want to grow in prayer and in the universal call to holiness. Fr. Dubay is an authority on both theory and practice, and is a much sought-after spiritual director. His explanation of discerning genuine encounters with God versus one's own self-delusion is especially useful in the realm of contemplation, since contemplation is by its very nature not an objective experience. He elucidates the movement from meditation to contemplation and distinguishes it from other psychological states. His chaper on friendship and the development of virtues sets the entire contemplative experience within the context of the goal and purpose of prayer. This is a meaty book, but it is well worth the effort.
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61 of 65 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A How to Guide about being a Christian Mystic January 3, 2000
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is basically a How-to guide on how to be a Christian mystic, focusing on the writings and life of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. It is a very concise book, and is not light reading, but I enjoy that fact. I highly recommend this book for the individual interested in deepening their experiences with the Triune God.
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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Want to really understand the life of prayer? September 13, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is a phenomenal introduction to some of the best writers of the spiritual life--John of the Cross and his contemporary Theresa of Avilla. This book will give everyone a clear, susinct, insight into these giants of spirituality whose writings have stood the test of time. The book discusses their lives, and their writings and compares it to the gospel understanding. The author, DuBay, rightly concludes that EVERYONE is called to be a mystic! Then explains what that process is! A msut read for anyone who wants to grow in their relationship to God!
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A block of gold. September 13, 2003
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Happy the day I found this book!

In my busy life it's very rare for me to drop every non-essential and read a book in ten days, highlighters in hand, then go back and read it again. I wish I had found it 20+ years ago.

I enjoy the style: there is no pomposity, and I did not find it repetitive. It made the works of Teresa of Avila and, in particular, of John of the Cross much clearer. It has cleared up many questions I had.

The best book I've seen in the last 10 years. (What did I find before then which is so good? - The Navarre Bible published by the Four Courts Press in Dublin / Scepter in the US / Baroque Books in Vancouver.)

Away with the self-help books, the technique books, the books with false promises. Here is Truth.

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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The universal call October 19, 2005
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thomas Dubay has given us a masterful overview in well organized, lucid style, on the works of the towering mystical doctors of the church. His book, steeped in the peerless wisdom of Teresa and John of the Cross, requires careful, attentive reading on every page. The reader will be rewarded with an increased understanding of these two saints whose hearts were enkindled with divine love, and whose lives were incandescent with joy.

A central theme of the book is that God's call to contemplative prayer and, in its highest form, transforming union with Himself, is for every believer, not just for a "fortunate few" enclosed within monasteries. "Scripture knows nothing," Dubay writes, "of two ways to God and two differing prayer paths, one for the many, the other for the few."

Many readers will be surprised to learn that contemplative prayer is "infused," a grace coming directly from God, and not something they can laboriously acquire through techniques or discipline. Every believer is called by "the still, small voice within," as Elijah was. At the beginning of this ancient spiritual journey, we use discursive and vocal prayer, and our own meditations on scripture. We do our part, as much as we can; seeking God's presence, avoiding sin, practicing faith, hope, and charity, striving to bring our own wills in accordance with God's. In His time, and subtly at first, the wonderful-beyond-words grace from the Lord begins to flow.

Dubay clearly, matter-of-factly details, from the writings and the lives of Teresa and John, what to expect as we enter this most holy, most challenging of all human endeavors. His book is an invaluable aid to all Christians, from those on the first steps of the age-old path, to those traveling on its higher reaches.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars a must read to grow in your spirituality.
Great book on learning about spirituality. Shows anyone may have a closer relationship with God and receive phenomenal joys and blessings. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Richard L Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
This readable, rich text combines the wisdom of the Gospels with the teachings of two of the Church's greatest mystics and saints. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Nicholas Monco
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
On the whole, this book was interesting. The theme made it a bit hard to read, and in some cases, the author got carried away. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ardee
5.0 out of 5 stars clarification.
An in depth look at Std Teresa and John. Very clear and concise explanations of passages that may be difficult.
Published 1 month ago by Terry Shepherd
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read first if you are inquiring about Carmelite Spirituality
Those who are interested in getting to know Carmelite Spirituality, should absolutely read this book first.
Fr. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jeff Cline
5.0 out of 5 stars Fire Within by Thomas Dubay
If you are interested in the Contemplative Life -whether to live it or to live it as a Secular, this is a must read! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Benedict
5.0 out of 5 stars Would buy it again!
Very clear. Themes I have read about before with St. John and St. Teresa are expanded and amplified, with the sometimes difficult language they used explained for the modern user. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Franny Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Buy
I really liked this book. If you are looking for some spiritial reading and dont really feel like reading the Bible, I feel that this book is great for you. Read more
Published 3 months ago by James
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, compelling book
Have read just the first chapter but I can tell already it is a terrific book and will be read and re-read
Published 4 months ago by Janet Atkinson - Q15J
5.0 out of 5 stars THE FIRE WITHIN
FIRE WITHIN BY FR. DUBAY. IS AN EXCELLENT READ.....I FOUND I HAD TO READ A LITTLE AT A TIME IN ORDER TO ABSORB ALL.
Published 5 months ago by Dolores Sieradzki
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