Way Of Perfection

Although Teresa of Avila lived five centuries ago, her superbly inspiring classic on the practice of prayer is as fresh and meaningful today as it was when she first wrote it. Teresa’s deep desire throughout is to teach a deep and lasting love of prayer beginning with a treatment of the three essentials of the prayer-filled life-fraternal love, detachment from created things, and true humility. Her teachings are not lofty speculation but come from the fruit of her practical experience. The next section develops these ideas and brings the reader directly to the subjects of prayer and contemplation. Teresa then gives various maxims for the practice of prayer and leads to the topic that occupies the balance of the book-a detailed and inspiring commentary on the Lord’s Prayer.