Saint Teresa of Avila: Passionate Mystic (Contemplations & Living Wisdom)

Teresa of Avila is my favorite saint and I enjoyed this little book, which is mainly comprised of quotes from and about her. Even though I treasured reading again some of the best-loved passages written by St. Teresa, I have a few reservations about recommending the book for everyone. The book offers a short biography of Teresa of Avila, which is engagingly written and emphasizes Teresa's vivacious and fun-loving nature. Unfortunately, the author does not limit herself to known facts, and tries to make the saint suit her own image and more relatable to modern readers, such as, for example, slyly suggesting the teenaged Teresa could have given up her virginity. The trouble is that Teresa's writings extensively detail her faults, weakness, and sins, the worst of which were wasting time with idle socializing and reading silly novels, not sexual impropriety. The author also draws connections between Teresa's theology and Buddhism, Islam, new age thought, modern feminism, etc. Some of these connections might have validity but some seemed, again, trying to change Teresa into what the author wants her to be rather than the thoroughly Catholic theologian she was, one of the few women to earn the title of Doctor of the Church because of her writing on Christian theology. In some of the author's prior works, she notified the reader that she altered Teresa of Avila's Christian references to make her words more inclusive of other religions, and it appears she has done the same thing here but without giving the same warning to the reader that the saint's words have been changed to fit the author's purposes and outlook. I would rather read what Teresa wrote, but failing that, a disclosure of these modifications should be provided.Readers should know this book is quite brief. Because I was already familiar with most of the quotes, I read it through in less than an hour. For the person who is not familiar with Teresa of Avila, this little book could make an introduction, but some of the material should be taken with a grain of salt and hopefully the reader will move on to a closer study of this amazing saint, such as reading The Interior Castle. For the person who has read much about Teresa of Avila previously, there is not much new here besides the author's own spin. Still, in the end, I did love refreshing my memory on some of the saint's insights and guidance, and, for that experience, I am glad I read the book.

My impression of the author Mirabai Starr is that she is very anti man, anti Christian and especially anti Catholic. She is obviously a liberal feminist.She likes to point out negatives in the Catholic Church but finds nothing but love reverance and wisdom with Islam. She rages against the patriachy and pretends that our saint Teresa was just like her and of the same opinion. She speaks as if saint Teresa was just another woman being oppressed by men... or as she calls them "the boys from the Vatican". She wants her Catholic saint but without the Catholic religion.Also the romantic undertone between Saint John of the cross and saint Teresa was offensive. Trying to spice up her book with provocative statements like "these two lovers...(of God). Constantly referring to the 2 saints as "lovers", just seemed like she was trying to make her book more interesting to read. Feminists poison everything they touch. I recommend people to read the books that saint Teresa wrote herself.

Thru the writing of mirabai Starr and this translation of the writing og Teresa of Avila the true beauty of this lovely being, Teresa come forth. One can see the love she had for her lord, Jesus and the compassion she had for her fellow beings in this life journey. It is clear how she felt about the church that would love to burn her at the stake, but couldn't bring themselves to do it.

I love this little book. It's great bedtime reading and a good primer for those interested in the works of St. Teresa who don't want to slog through older language or who have read St. Teresa's works and enjoy the highlights Mirabai has so skillfully selected and wrapped in her own poetic language.

Great over all insight into Saint Teresa's life.

I thought this was just alright...kind of long and tedious. I'm sure it's well-translated. I really did not know what to expect but I did learn quite a bit about Saint Teresa of Avila's life.

Rather than reading St.Teresa's own books, I opted for Mirabai Starr interpretation and impressions. Authors own enviable and inspiring devotion, expressed in the most poetic and illustrative language of her soul seems to resonate with my needs.

Mirabai captures St. Teresa in authentic while current way.

I found this an excellent introduction to the writing and wisdom of St Teresa. The book is easy to pick up and put down as it comprises a series of extracts from Teresa's writings interspersed with reflections and insights from Mirabai Starr and other writers, making it a good resource for devotion, prayer and contemplation. It has made me keen to read more of Teresa's writings and I now feel primed to do so.

If you wish to be introduced to Saint Teresa by someone very familiar with her work but who is not a Catholic then Miribai Starr is perfect. This book is well written and immensely readable. It is free of dogma and presents Teresa as a teacher for everyone, not just Catholics.

Well written. I love this author and her way of communicating for today.

A Delightful and inspiring read!So great to hear the 'real life' stories of these Saints.Fabulous translation Mirabai. My heart came alive while reading it.