The Way of Perfection: St. Teresa of Avila

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ch. 19 on the universal call (commenting on Jn. 7:37 "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink."); quotation below from ref:12.113 of Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.'s [*Christian Perfection & Contemplation*](https://isidore.co/calibre/#panel=book_details&book_id=2952):> Remember, our Lord invited 'Any man': He is truth itself; His word cannot be doubted. If all had not been included He would not have addressed everybody, nor would He have said: 'I will give you to drink.' He might have said: 'Let all men come, for they will lose nothing by it, and I will give to drink to those I think fit for it.' But as He said, unconditionally: 'If any man thirst let him come to Me,' I feel sure that, unless they stop halfway, none will fail to drink of this living water. * * *mentions chess beginning in ch. 16!**St. Teresa** : 1515-1581Salamancan priest and chess popularizer (even today the opening named after him is the most common)**Ruy López de Segura** : 1530-1580He wrote *Libro de la invención liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez*. He became bishop of Seguro, too.* * *This classic of the interior life and Christian mysticism remains as fresh and inspiring today as it was 400 years ago. Written by a prominent sixteenth-century Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun, it forms a practical guide to prayer that embraces readers with its warmth and accessibility.St. Teresa of Avila's detailed directions on the achievement of spiritual perfection designate three essentials — fraternal love, detachment from material things, and true humility. She discusses a variety of maxims related to the practice of prayer and concludes with a thought-provoking commentary on the Lord's Prayer. A work of sublime mystical beauty, *The Way of Perfection* is above all a treatise of utter simplicity that offers lucid instruction to all seekers of a more meaningful way of life.