About Teresa of ÃÂvila: Teresa of Ávila is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.
I would write a thousand foolish things that one might be to the point, if only it might make us praise God more.
The devil frequently fills our thoughts with great schemes, so that instead of putting our hands to what work we can do to serve our Lord, we may rest satisfied with wishing to perform impossibilities.
. . . it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.
There is a secret place. A radiant sanctuary. As real as your own kitchen. More real than that. Constructed of the purest elements. Overflowing with the ten thousand beautiful things. Worlds within worlds. Forests, rivers. Velvet coverlets thrown ove...
. . . you must not build upon foundations of prayer and contemplation alone, for, unless you strive after the virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.
But always when I was without a book, my soul would at once become disturbed, and my thoughts wandered. As I read, I began to call them together again and, as it were, laid a bait for my soul
I cannot think why we should be astonished at all the evils which exist in the Church, when those who ought to be models on which all may pattern their virtues are annulling the work wrought in the religious Orders by the spirit of the saints of old.
...aconsejaría yo a los que tienen oración, en especial al principio, procuren amistad y trato con otras personas que traten de lo mismo. Es cosa importantísima, aunque no sea sino ayudarse unos a otros con sus oraciones, ¡cuánto más que hay mu...
I am quite sure I am more afraid of people who are themselves terrified of the devil than I am of the devil himself.
It is of great importance, when we begin to practise prayer, not to let ourselves be frightened by our own thoughts.
For if the will has nothing to employ it and love has no present object with which to busy itself, the soul finds itself without either support or occupation, its solitude and aridity cause it great distress and its thoughts involve it in the severes...
I used unexpectedly to experience a consciousness of the presence of God, or such a kind that I could not possibly doubt that He was within me or that I was wholly engulfed in Him. This was in no sense a vision: I believe it is called mystical theolo...
Mental prayer is, as I see it, simply a friendly intercourse and frequent solitary conversation with Him who, as we know, loves us.
You must know that weather or not you are practicing mental prayer has nothing to do with keeping your lips closed. If, while I am speaking with God, I am fully conscious of doing so, and if this is more real to me than the words I am uttering, then ...
Prayer and comfortable living are incompatible.
Give me, if you will, prayers; Or let me know dryness, An abudance of devotion, Or if not, then barrenness. In you alone, Sovereign Majesty, I find my peace, What do you want of me? Yours I am, fo ryou I was born: What do you want of me?
All the trials we endure cannot be compared to these interior battles.
Vivo sin vivir en mí... muero porque no muero. (I live without really being alive... I die because I am not dying.)
Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man.
The closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes.
