This classic treatise on Christian spirituality offers readers a comprehensive guide to the stages of the spiritual life, from the beginning stages of conversion to the heights of mystical union with God. Written by the esteemed French theologian Auguste Saudreau, this book provides valuable insights and practical advice for all those seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Originally part of a series of broadcasts made by the author prior to World War II, this small book was meant "to present some of the great truths concerning man’s spiritual life in simple language.” As one critic has noted, “Underhill has admirably and eloquently achieved her objective.” Evelyn Underhill was a prolific British writer on mysticism and spiritual growth. Her other books include The School of Charity and Abba.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
2021 Reprint of the 1953 Edition. Facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Joseph de Guibert, S.J. (1877-1942) was one of the greatest spiritual theologians of the first part of the 20th century. Few spiritual writers during this period have written with equal theological depth, solidity, and balance. The Theology of the Spiritual Life is one the best English textbooks on spiritual theology available. The book is divided into seven parts. The first is an introduction to the study of spiritual theology in which the author defines and explains the terms "ascetical" and "mystical," distinguishes spiritual theology from the other branches of theology, especially moral and pastoral, explains the method and sources of spiritual theology, and adds some observations on its study. The second part treats of the nature of spiritual perfection, its relation to charity, habitual and actual, and to the other virtues and the counsels. He also discusses the relation existing between perfection and union with God, the imitation of Christ, suffering, active and passive conformity with the will of God, and the desire of perfection. The next part is a brief but solid treatise on the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the docility required by the soul to profit by these inspirations, the gifts of the Holy Ghost and their relation to perfection, and the discernment of spirits. Man's cooperation with God is the main theme of Part IV, and after a chapter on the use of methods in spiritual life, the principal subject treated is that of spiritual direction, its nature and necessity, the qualities, duties, and role of a spiritual director. 1he following section is a treatise on mental prayer, its nature, degrees, necessity, and fruit, the states and habits of mind which can help or hinder mental prayer. In this section is treated the disputed question of acquired contemplation. The sixth part is concerned with the three degrees of the spiritual life, the qualities of soul in each degree, and the differences to be considered in regard to spiritual direction. This part closes with a chapter on the active and the contemplative life. The last section is on infused contemplation, its nature and degrees, its relation to spiritual perfection, and the extraordinary phenomena which sometimes accompany infused contemplation. Finally, there is added to the seven parts a brief bibliography of English books and a double index of names and subjects.
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: A TREATISE ON ASCETICAL AND MYSTICAL THEOLOGY REVEREND ADOLPHE TANQUEREY — A Catholic Classic! — Two Parts of Four Books in One — Includes 1,773 Active Linked Footnotes — Includes Active Linked Headings, Index and Table of Contents — Includes Religious Illustrations Publisher: Available in Paperbacks: FIRST PART: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-507-9 SECOND PART: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-508-6 It is the writer’s conviction that Dogma is the foundation of Ascetical Theology and that an exposition of what God has done and still does for us is the most efficacious motive of true devotion. Hence, care has been taken to recall briefly the truths of faith on which the spiritual life rests. This treatise then is first of all doctrinal in character and aims at bringing out the fact that Christian perfection is the logical outcome of dogma, especially of the central dogma of the Incarnation. The work however is also practical, for a vivid realization of the truths of faith is the strongest incentive to earnest and steady efforts towards the correction of faults and the practice of virtues. Consequently in the first part of this treatise the practical conclusions that naturally flow from revealed truths and the general means of perfection are developed. The second part contains a more detailed exposition of the special means of advancing along the Three Ways towards the heights of perfection. Contents: FIRST PART: Principles SECOND PART: The Three Ways BOOK I: The Purification of the Soul or the Purgative Way BOOK II: The Illuminative Way BOOK III: The Unitive Way PUBLISHER: CATHOLIC WAY PUBLISHING
First published in 1930, "The Spiritual Life" remains the most comprehensive one-volume treatise on ascetical and mystical theology. Widely respected among members of the Catholic faith, this book depicts the human experience of spirituality by examining the nature of the soul, path to salvation, and strategies for strengthening one's union with God. Father Adolphe Tanquerey sources his inspirational guidance from Sacred Scripture in addition to the writings of spiritual leaders and saints, including Thomas Aquinas. In this pioneering and instructional work, Father Tanquerey has compiled a complete, practical, and orderly overview of all the questions concerning the spiritual life in one volume. Although initially intended for clergy, this text proves especially efficacious in showing faithful followers the path to piety. The Reverend Father Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S., D.D., (1854-1932) was born in Blainville, France and joined the Society of St. Sulpice at the age of 18. After five years as a seminarian, he was ordained a priest and began his successful teaching career. His best known works include the three-volume "Synopsis Theologiae Dogmaticae" and comprehensive one-volume treatise "The Spiritual Life."
This book unlocks the secrets of the seven degrees through which the soul progresses as it travels the Sufi Path to its Lord. It teaches the novice how to transform the Inciting Soul the lowest and most egotistic of the self's manifestations, into the Reproachful Soul, which must then become Inspired, Serene, Contented, and Found Pleasing until it attains the ultimate degree of sanctity and wholeness as the Perfect Soul. To achieve this progressive purification of the self, special Sufi practices, litanies and attitudes of mind are recommended. Both practical and profound, this book offers a concise manual of Sufi teaching on the Way to spiritual liberation.
What does it mean to have spiritual life, and how does a believer achieve it? What are the fruits of this spiritual life, and what are the hindrances and helps for cultivating it? In this classic treatise of Reformed spirituality, Campegius Vitringa provides answers to these questions as he teaches what it means to be made alive in Christ. Translated into English for the first time, The Spiritual Life is accompanied by a helpful biographical sketch of the author and revives the riches of Reformed piety for a new generation of readers.
