Teresa of Avila, a renowned sixteenth–century Spanish mystic, received the vision for The Interior Castle one Sunday in 1577. In this signature work, Teresa uses the castle as a symbol for the interior life to describe her mystical experience of the presence of God. Her humble and straightforward treatise invites readers on a spiritual journey to enter into the deep places in their soul where they will find God. 
 "The soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says he finds his delight. So then, what do you think that abode will be like where a King so powerful, so wise, so pure, so full of all good things takes his delight? I don't find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity." –– Teresa of Avila

Teresa of Avila: Selections from The Interior Castle (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Biographies & Memoirs

HarperCollins Spiritual Classics

Leaders & Notable People

HarperOne

John and Charles Wesley led the Methodist revival that swept eighteenth–century England and America and changed the face of Christianity forever. Their spirituality synthesized a unique blend of elements from the church fathers, Catholic mystics, and Protestant Reformers. This selection includes John's incisive writings on the spiritual life as well as the famous hymns of Charles, giving vibrant expression to the faith of the Wesleys.
 "About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." –– John Wesley

John and Charles Wesley: Selected Prayers, Hymns, and Sermons (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

History

World

Simplicity in forms of worship, opposition to violence, and the importance of compassionate living and thoughtful listening are hallmarks of the spirituality of the Quakers. From their beginnings in seventeenth–century England to today, the Friends have attempted to live out their belief in the presence of God's spirit within their hearts. This book features the writings of some of the most influential and inspirational Quaker thinkers –– George Fox, John Woolman, Caroline Stephen, Thomas Kelly, and others –– providing a vivid portrait of the beautiful, simple spirituality of the Quakers.

Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Written by an anonymous English monk during the late fourteenth century, The Cloud of Unknowing is a sublime expression of what separates God from humanity and is widely regarded as a hallmark of Western literature and spirituality. A work of simplicity, courage, and lucidity, it is a contemplative classic on the deep mysteries of faith.
 "Lift up your heart to God with a humble impulse of love and have himself as your aim, not any of his goods . . . Set yourself to rest in this darkness, always crying out after him whom you love. For if you are to experience him or to see him at all, insofar as it is possible here, it must always be in this cloud and in this darkness." –– The Cloud of Unknowing

The Cloud of Unknowing (Harper Collins Spiritual Classics)

St. Gregory of Nyssa (335-394 CE), who came from an illustrious Christian family of Capadocia, became bishop of the small town of Nyssa in 371 and is known as one of the founders of mystical theology in the Church. In The Life of Moses, one of the most important books in the study of Christian mysticism, Gregory retells the story of Moses's life from the biblical account in Exodus and Numbers and then refers back to these stories as the basis for profound spiritual lessons. The ultimate goal of Gregory's spirituality is to strive for infinite progress in the never-completed journey to God. His exhortations to lead a life of virtue will inspire all who hope to increase their knowledge and love of God.

Gregory of Nyssa: The Life of Moses (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Community & Culture

This beautiful collection of works from two of the most beloved religious figures of all time gathers the letters and writings of both Francis and Clare of Assisi in a poignant presentation of the power of faith and simplicity that speaks powerfully to us in our hectic world. Francis of Assisi is a widely celebrated saint, well-known for his love of nature and his remarkable life of poverty. Clare is the woman who lived out his legacy in Assisi after his death, passing on his vision and his cause. Together they shaped the spirituality of early thirteenth-century Europe. Both born to noble families, they ultimately rejected their wealth and founded religious orders known for fostering humility, generosity, and devout faith, where communities of like-minded persons could live out a radical commitment to the gospel message of poverty. In the process Francis and Clare left a spiritual heritage that has captured the imagination of both believers and nonbelievers throughout the ages.

Francis & Clare of Assisi: Selected Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church. A bishop, philosopher, and doctor of the Church whose thought has molded the Western tradition, Augustine was deeply spiritual, and his writings emphasize the soul's experience of God in its depths. This book features selections from his writings, including Confessions and The City of God, and is the perfect introduction to his influential spiritual life and teachings.

Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Americas

A pivotal figure of the Protestant Reformation, John Calvin's vision of God changed the world. Calvin (1509-1564), who, in response to God's call became a pastor against his natural inclinations, transformed an unimportant city into a powerful force for religious reform. Today, many know of John Calvin as an historical figure, but few have read his writings or are familiar with the personal spirituality that drove his life. This volume presents the main facets of Calvin's faith, including his personal religious experience, his pastoral ministry, and his revolutionary theological vision. This is a perfect resource for those seeking to learn about the man behind the legacy.

John Calvin: Selections from His Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Reference

William Law (1686–1761) was an Anglican priest who specialized in providing spiritual direction. This occupation led his writings to be concrete and specific, yet profound and filled with rich insights. His best known piece, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, has inspired countless generations and deeply influenced the English religious revivals. The selections here offer practical spiritual direction for those seeking a meaningful life of prayer and devotion.

William Law: Selections from A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

A beautiful portrait of the radical devotion of St. Antony and his call to holy living. 
 "It was truly amazing that being alone in such a desert Antony was niether distracted by the demons who confronted him, nor was he frightened of their ferocity when so many four–legged beasts and reptiles were there. But truly he was one who, as Scripture says, having trusted in the Lord, was like Mount Zion, keeping his mind unshaken and unruffled; so instead the demons fled and the wild beasts, as it is written, made peace with him."––from The Life of Antony
 Athanasius (c. 295–373) was an Alexandrian whose life was committed at an early age to the Christian community growing there. He became a controversial bishop and one of the most vivid and forceful personalities in political and religious affairs. His famous account, The Life of Antony, inaugurated the genre of the lives of the saints and established the frame of Christian hagiography, quickly attaining the status of a classic and becoming one of the most influential writings in Christian history. It tells the spiritual story of St. Antony, the founder of Christian monasticism. A pioneer in spiritual experience, he marked a new epoch in the Christian experience and set the terms for the Church's ideal of the life of devotion. He transferred the center of monastic life from the periphery of established communities to the barren and isolated setting of a hermitage, away from civilization, in a location of solitude and serenity. The Life of Antony is a beautiful portrait of what a life committed to God demands and promises.

Athanasius (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)

Historical

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