Camino de Perfección
Encyclopedia
El Camino de Perfección (trans.: The Way of Perfection) is a method for making progress in the contemplative life
written by St. Teresa of Ávila
for the sisters of her reformed convent of the Carmelite Order (Discalced)
. St. Teresa was a major figure of the Catholic Reformation in 16th Century Spain, and eventually was named the Doctor of the Church
, while her work became classic text in Christian spirituality, mysticism
, especially in the realm of prayer in Christianity
, and Spanish Renaissance literature
.
St. Teresa called this a "living book" and in it set out to teach her nuns how to progress through prayer and Christian meditation
. The first 18 of the 42 chapters discuss the rationale of being a Carmelite, the rest deal with purpose and approaches to spiritual life.
The title was inspired by The Imitation of Christ (1418), and had become a favourite expression of Teresa much before she wrote this work as it appeared at several places in her autobiography, The Life of Teresa of Jesus. Like her other books, The Way of Perfection too was written on the advise of her counsellors to describe her experiences in prayer, during the period when the Reformation was spreading through Europe. Herein she describes, ways of attaining spiritual perfection through prayer
and its four stages, as in meditation
, quiet
, repose of soul and finally perfect union with God, which she equates with rapture.
Eventually the book meant as spiritual instruction for her nuns, offered her views on Christian theology
and spiritual direction
in more direct and accessible than her more famous works, like The Interior Castle and The Life of Teresa of Jesus, her autobiography .
Contemplation
The word contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplatio. Its root is also that of the Latin word templum, a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship, derived either from Proto-Indo-European base *tem- "to cut", and so a "place reserved or cut out" or...
written by St. Teresa of Ávila
Teresa of Ávila
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer...
for the sisters of her reformed convent of the Carmelite Order (Discalced)
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
. St. Teresa was a major figure of the Catholic Reformation in 16th Century Spain, and eventually was named the Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church is a title given by a variety of Christian churches to individuals whom they recognize as having been of particular importance, particularly regarding their contribution to theology or doctrine.-Catholic Church:In the Catholic Church, this name is given to a saint from whose...
, while her work became classic text in Christian spirituality, mysticism
Christian mysticism
Christian mysticism refers to the development of mystical practices and theory within Christianity. It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions...
, especially in the realm of prayer in Christianity
Prayer in Christianity
Prayer has been an essential part of Christianity since its earliest days. Prayer is an integral element of the Christian faith and permeates all forms of Christian worship...
, and Spanish Renaissance literature
Spanish Renaissance literature
Spanish Renaissance literature is the literature written in Spain during the Renaissance.-Introduction:The political, religious, literary, and war relations between Italy and Spain since the second half of the 15th century caused a remarkable cultural interchange between these two countries...
.
St. Teresa called this a "living book" and in it set out to teach her nuns how to progress through prayer and Christian meditation
Christian meditation
Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice...
. The first 18 of the 42 chapters discuss the rationale of being a Carmelite, the rest deal with purpose and approaches to spiritual life.
Overview
Mental prayer
Mental prayer is a form of prayer recommended in the Catholic Church whereby one loves God through dialogue, meditating on God's words, and contemplation of his face. It is a time of silence focused on God...
and its four stages, as in meditation
Christian meditation
Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice...
, quiet
Prayer of Quiet
The Prayer of Quiet is a term from Christian theology. It is regarded by writers on mystical theology as one of the degrees of contemplation or contemplative prayer, and must be distinguished therefore from meditation and from affective prayer. It holds an intermediary place between the latter and...
, repose of soul and finally perfect union with God, which she equates with rapture.
Eventually the book meant as spiritual instruction for her nuns, offered her views on Christian theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
and spiritual direction
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine, or how he or she is experiencing...
in more direct and accessible than her more famous works, like The Interior Castle and The Life of Teresa of Jesus, her autobiography .
External links
- The Way of Perfection, Teresa of Avila, 1964 translation at Christian Classics Ethereal LibraryChristian Classics Ethereal LibraryThe Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a digital library that provides free electronic copies of Christian scripture and literature texts....