Paperback: St Teresa of Ávila's books were written at the command of her confessors, and she dreaded writing. At first, she thought herself much better off at the spinning wheel. Irked, she said, "For the love of God, let me work at my spinning wheel and go to choir and perform the duties of the religious life, like the other sisters. I am not meant to write. I have neither the health nor the intelligence for it." And she proceeded to write. The most natural and human and unstuffy, unbounded books that also happened to be filled with genius and mystical experience - God's self-disclosure, share. - Gertrud Mueller Nelson
The Life of Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582) by Herself is the autobiographical account of Saint Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, a prominent 16th century Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation.
In these pages is a life of "fire assuaged by water." Stream, rain, garden, enclosure - Teresa of Ávila uses these gentle images to tell the story of the life of her soul. But they are not alone. Flame, fire arrow, fuel - these passionate images complete this incomparable record of the spirit. Few have ever written of the love of God with such tender ferocity.
The time has come to consider anew this great sixteenth-century woman, Saint and Doctor of the Church. Like many of her writings her autobiography has a didactic tone as it intends to instruct the reader on how to live a more devout Christian life in the manner put forth by the Catholic Church.
A classic work of Christian mysticism, The Life of Teresa of Jesus is a must read for anyone seeking a more contemplative life and a closer and more spiritual connection with God through prayer and religious devotion.
It is a work of literary genius and heroic love.
It is the testimony of an epic life.
The Life Of Teresa Of Jesus is translated and edited from the Spanish by E Allison Peers.
About the Saint: Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), also called St Teresa of Jesus, was a Spanish nun, one of the great mystics and religious women of the Roman Catholic Church, and author of spiritual classics. She was the originator of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of primitive Carmelite life. St Teresa was elevated to Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, the first woman to be so honoured.
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