The Way of Perfection: Study Edition [includes Full Text of St. Teresa of Avila's Work, Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD]

As I immersed myself in this book, much was revealed to me about the different forms of prayer and their part in the contemplative life. I was also astonished by her insight into the “Our Father”, a simple, but elegant prayer in which we receive guidance from Teresa on how to be spiritually united our Father.

This is a fantastic collection of St. Teresa's writings and instructions to her nuns on how to live the consecrated life actively. She gives instructions, advice, and cautions with her dry and witty humor, it is an absolute joy to read! The study notes at the end of each chapter are very helpful in understanding the many levels of counseling that are not immediately recognizable to the average reader such as I. My recommendation is to read the lively book in its entirety once and then stop and do the study exercises when you read it a second time. I was too impatient to stop after every chapter for the study notes, I wanted to get the flavour of her writings first before picking it apart for so many diffrent aspects she alludes to in her writings. I wouldn't recommend it as bedtime reading, but it is a fantastic choice for daily spiritual reading.

St Teresa of Avila is an acknowledged master of the spiritual life. Not only did she reform the Carmelite Order, she was the first female Doctor of the Catholic Church when elevated to that status in the year 1970.As a Carmelite, though not a Friar, I have read her spiritual classic,"The Way of Perfection", several times. However I have now found that I have gained so many insights into this work from reading Father Kieran Kavanaugh's Study Edition that my understanding of this classic has been brought into the 21st century.I would thoroughly recommend it to any thoughtful reader, especially if encountering Teresa for perhaps the first time. One should read her "Life" before reading this tome however.

Enjoyed reading St. Teresa's recommendations for her nuns and found ways to apply her guidance to my own life. The Study Edition summarizes and explains St. Teresa's writings at the end of each chapter. Great book for anyone interested in learning how prayer, humility and detachment can lead you to a closer relationship with God and true happiness.

As was her Lord and King, so is Teresa such a sign. Kurt Gödel the mathematician understood completeness. Teresa comes to completeness and perfection through a path of contradiction. It is the only true path, at once divergent and convergent. We can only allow ourselves to be led through it. We cannot understand it in this life.

Although St. Teresa of Avila wrote her experiences for her sisters, we can still gain much understanding of prayer from her. St. Teresa's book was an inspiration for me in my prayer life. I personally am more touched by the presence of God by quiet prayer than verbal prayer.

A beautiful way to learn to pray and grow in virtue! A few difficult concepts, but overall very accessible 😊

A must have book, love having it on Kindle. Lost track of how many times I've read this over the decades.

St. Teresa isn’t always easy to understand but this study guide is your best buddy. You don’t always have to agree with the interpretation but it helps to start a meaningful discussion.

What ells can we say about the Great St.Teresa.