Before the Living God is Ruth Burrows' autobiography—the account of a life empty of outward incident after her early years, but rich with her own spiritual growth. She writes of the Christian's relationship with others and with God, of prayer, of the life of the Spirit. She presents these ideals in no abstract way, but in the intimately personal terms of one individual's—her own—struggle to live them to the full.
Ruth Burrows is a Carmelite Nun, and author of three outstanding books on pray...
In this simple but profoundly insightful book we find the richness of vision of a contemplative nun whose message counteracts the tendency of so much modern writing about the spiritual life.
When first published in 1976, and still relevant today, this critically acclaimed work of spiritual theology as reflection on spiritual experience was a growing trend; but at the same time there was a renewed interest in, and a return to, the classical Carmelite theology of prayer, with an effort to formulate that theology in contemporary thought categories. Guidelines for Mystical Prayer embodies both tendencies. It offers a personal narrative, a reflection on the spiritual history of two gift...
The message of To Believe In Jesus is heartening, if disconcerting, for it stands a common assumption on its head. The way to holiness is not through dramatic renunciation, and holiness itself is not just for the ‘specialists’, clergy and religious. Holiness cannot be struggled for and won – it can only be given, and all that is necessary is that we should ask. As soon as we cease to strive for virtue, concentrating attention uselessly on ourselves, and instead recognize our weakness, our need, ...
