Come, Holy Spirit. Enkindle in our hearts, the fire of Your Divine Love.



Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Carmel,

protect and pray for us.



Monday, September 26, 2011

Discussion of Ch. 40 - The Life of Teresa of Jesus - The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila


     ~   Discussion of  Ch. 40   ~    

     The Life of Teresa of Jesus 

    Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila   



   The Life of Holy Mother
        Teresa of Jesus

  The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus,
of the Order of Our Lady of Carme

       Discussion  of  Chapter   40

Continuation of 
- the same subject of great mercies God
    has shown her. 

From some of these 
- very good doctrine  may be gathered, and 
- this, as she declares, was,
    besides compliance with obedience, 
 her principal motive (in writing this book), 
   namely to enumerate such of these mercies 
 as would be instructive to souls. 

This chapter brings 
- the history of her Life, 
    written by herself, to an end. 

  May it be for the glory of God. Amen.

- Visions, Revelations, and Locutions.

       Discussion  Topics/ Questions

1).  St. Teresa described visions
        by which she was granted 
        spiritual wisdom and Truth.

         What did St. Teresa say ?
             [ Life: Ch. 40: #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
                                       7, 13, 21]


2).   St. Teresa taught that it is 
       "more fruitful...to look upon our Lord 
         as being in the innermost part 
              of their soul. 
         than as (being) external to us"

        Regarding this, she described
             the soul as a mirror.
        What did St. Teresa say regarding this?
         [ Life: Ch. 40: #8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16  ]

). How does St. Teresa discuss
          the results of deep trance?
               [ Life: Ch. 40: #11, 13 
                          Ch. 37: #12       ]

4). What did St. Teresa say  
      regarding Spiritual Direction?
          [ Life: Ch. 40: #12  ]

5). What encouragement does 
       St. Teresa give regarding 
     our changeable 
         emotions and devoutness ?
               [ Life: Ch. 40: #23  ]

6). St. Teresa discussed 
       attachment  to persons.

      What did she say?
         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 24, 25
                    Ch  37: # 4, 5     ]

7). What did St. Teresa say about suffering?
         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 27  ]

8). What did St. Teresa say regarding 
       this writing of the  account of her life?
       [ Life: Ch. 40: # 28, 29, 30, 32, 33,  
        Epilogue:  Letter to the Confessor
          to whom  "The Life"  was addressed ]

1).  St. Teresa described visions
        by which she was granted 
        spiritual wisdom and Truth.

         What did St. Teresa say ?
             [ Life: Ch. 40: #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
                                       7, 13, 21]

St. Teresa described:

~ God as Truth, itself

   ◊ St. Teresa "...carried away in spirit"
        was absorbed in, and  filled with, 
              that grandeur of God"  
        "In that majesty, it was given me
              to understand  one truth, 
        which is the fulness of all truth, 
              ...it was the Truth Itself"
                       [ Life: Ch. 40: #1 ]

       "I also understood 
             what it is for a soul 
          to be walking 
             in the truth, 
             in the presence of the Truth itself

         What I understood is this:
           that our Lord gave me to understand 
           that He is Himself the very Truth"
                [ Life: Ch. 40: #5 ]

         "The Truth of 
              which I am speaking, and 
              which I was given to see, 
                is Truth Itself, in Itself. 

             It has neither beginning nor end. 

            All other truths 
                 depend on this Truth, as
             all other loves depend on this love,
                  and 
             other grandeurs on this grandeur. 
                          [ Life: Ch. 40: #7 ]
      


 Truth:  In Attachment to God 
                 Not in attchment to the world

      "for after this vision 
              I look upon everything 
          which does not tend 
              to the service of God 
          as vanity and lies.
              [ Life: Ch. 40: #2 ]

          "they are few who love Me in truth

           for if men loved Me, 
                I should not hide My secrets 
                 from them.

             Knowest thou what it is 
                 to love Me in truth? 

             It is to admit 
                 everything to be a lie 
              which is not pleasing unto Me
                   [ Life: Ch. 40: #1 ]

   
             "I saw nothing; 
                 but I understood 
               how great a blessing it is 
                  to make no account of anything 
               which does not lead us 
                   nearer unto God"
                        [ Life: Ch. 40: #5 ]


                "the vanity of this world"
                       [ Life: Ch. 40: #6 ]


                "Dost Thou not remember 
                  - that this my soul has been 
                      an abyss of lies and 
                      a sea of vanities, and 
                  - all my fault

                  Though Thou hadst given me 
                      a natural hatred of lying 
                   yet I did involve myself 
                     in many lying ways. 

                   ...mercies and graces so great 
                      should fall to the lot of one 
                   who has so ill deserved them 
                      at Thy hands"
                             [ Life: Ch. 40: #7 ]
    

              "Once, when in prayer, 
              I had a vision,  
               - how all things 
                       are seen in God and 
              - how all things 
                       are comprehended in Him
                        [ Life: Ch. 40: #13 ]


             "After Communion our Lord said...
               'When he shall have...understood 
                    that true dominion consists 
                 in possessing nothing
                     he may then accept'  
                      ( office and honored position 
                       in this example, she referred
                         to the position of  Bishop)

                 I understood by this 
                    that he who is to be in dignity 
                 must be very far 
                    from wishing or desiring it, 
                 or at least 
                    he must not seek it."
                     [ Life: Ch. 40: #21 ]


~ Truth of the Holy Scripture

    God spoke to St. Teresa:
    ◊  "...all the evil in the world 
             comes from ignorance 
          of the truths of the holy writings 
             in their clear simplicity, 
          of which not one iota 
             shall pass away."
               [ Life: Ch. 40: #1 ]

               [605] Mt 5:18
             "Iota unum aut unus apex 
               non praeteribit a lege."

                Mt 5:18

Blessed are the poor in spirit: 
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: 
   for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: 
   for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they 
    that hunger and thirst after justice: 
    for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: 
    for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: 
    for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: 
    for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they 
    that suffer persecution for justice' sake: 
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye 
   when they shall 
      revile you, and 
      persecute you, and 
      speak all that is evil against you untruly
    for my sake:

Be glad and rejoice, 
    for your reward is very great in heaven. 

For so they persecuted the prophets 
    that were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. 
    But if the salt lose its savour, 
      wherewith shall it be salted? 
It is good for nothing any more 
     but to be cast out, and 
            to be trodden on by men.

You are the light of the world. 
A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle 
     and put it under a bushel, 
but upon a candlestick, 
     that it may shine to all 
     that are in the house.
So let your light shine before men, 
     that they may see your good works, and    
glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Do not think that I am come 
     to destroy the law, or the prophets. 
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

For amen I say unto you, 
 till heaven and earth pass, 
    one jot, or one tittle shall not pass 
 of the law till all be fulfilled.



          "I know not how it was done, 
                 for I saw nothing; 
            but I was filled...
            with exceeding strength and
                  earnestness of purpose 
             to observe with all my might 
                   everything contained 
             in the divine writings
                 [ Life: Ch. 40: #3 ]

             I had a very great desire 
                 never to speak of anything 
             but of those deep truths 
                 which far surpass 
              all that is spoken of here 
                  in the world, 

              -- and so the living in it 
                  began to be painful to me.
                   [ Life: Ch. 40: #4 ]

_____________________________

2).   St. Teresa taught that it is 
       "more fruitful...to look upon our Lord 
         as being in the innermost part 
              of their soul. 
         than as (being) external to us"

        Regarding this, she described
             the soul as a mirror.
        What did St. Teresa say regarding this?
          [ Life: Ch. 40: #8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16  ]


St. Teresa wrote:

~ Regarding the soul 
      as the place where God dwells

   "This vision seems to me 
       very profitable to recollected persons,
    to teach them 
       to look upon our Lord 
    as being 
       in the innermost part of their soul

    It is a method 
       of looking upon Him 
       - which penetrates us more thoroughly,  
       - is much more fruitful, 
             than that of looking upon Him 
         as external to us"       
                  [ Life: Ch. 40: #10 ]

              "...books on prayer...they speak of 
               where we are to seek God 

                ...St. Augustin says that 
                  neither in the streets of the city,
                  nor in pleasures, 
                  nor in any place whatever 
                     where he sought Him, 
                      did he find Him 
                  as he found Him within himself

                  This is clearly the best way; 

     we need not go up to heaven, 
         nor any further than our own selves
     for that would only 
             distress the spirit and 
             distract the soul, and 
             bring but little fruit.
                [ Life: Ch. 40: #10 ]


~ Regarding the soul as a mirror
     through which to see God

            Once, when...reciting the Office, 
             my soul became recollected, 
               and seemed to me 
                    all bright as a mirror...                 

             and in the centre of it 
               I saw Christ our Lord
              as I usually see Him. 

              It seemed to me 
                 that I saw Him distinctly 
               in every part of my soul, 
                  as in a mirror..."
                    [ Life: Ch. 40: #8 ]

~ Regarding the soul as a mirror
     which is dimmed and clouded by sin 

              "I understood by it, 
                 that, when a soul is in mortal sin, 
               this mirror becomes 
                 clouded with a thick vapour, 
                 utterly obscured, 
               so that our Lord is 
                  neither visible 
                  nor present, 

                though He is always present 
                  in the conservation of its being. 

                In heretics, 
                   the mirror is, as it were, 
                      broken in pieces, and 
                that is 
                      worse than being dimmed. 

                But it has done me great good;
                 it has also made me very sorry 
                    on account of those times 
                 when I dimmed 
                    the lustre of my soul 
                           by my sins, 
                  so that I could not see our Lord.
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: #9 ]

~ Similarly, the Godhead as a 
              "a most brilliant diamond,...or
                a mirror like that
                    to which I compared the soul"
    which reflects the state of the soul
                (its actions and sins)

           "Let us suppose the Godhead to be
               a most brilliant diamond, 
            much larger than the whole world, or
               a mirror 
                  like that to which 
                  I compared the soul 
                       in a former vision...
         
              and that all our actions are seen 
                  in that diamond
              which is of such dimensions 
                  as to include everything, 
               because nothing can be beyond it.

               It was 
               - a fearful thing for me 
                    to see...so many things together 
                    in that brilliant diamond, and 
               - a most piteous thing too,  
                     to see such foul things 
                         as my sins 
                     present in the pure brilliancy 
                         of that light.
                          [ Life: Ch. 40: #14 ]

                ...whenever I remember it, 
                I do not know how to bear it, and 
                I was then so ashamed of myself 
                that I knew not where 
                      to hide myself

                ...to those who commit 
                      most foul and filthy sins, 
                that they may remember 
                - their sins are not secret, and 
                - that God most justly 
                      resents them, 
                    seeing that they are wrought 
                          in the very presence 
                          of His Majesty, and
                    that we are 
                          demeaning ourselves 
                     so irreverently before Him!

                     how impossible it is 
                          to understand 
                     the exceeding great wickedness 
                          of committing it 
                     in the sight 
                          of majesty so great, and 
                     how abhorrent to His nature
                           such actions are. 
                         [ Life: Ch. 40: #15 ]

                   The vision made me also reflect, 
                    that if one such vision as this 
                         fills the souls with such awe, 
                    what will it be 
                         in the day of judgment, 
                    when His Majesty 
                         will appear distinctly, and 
                    when we too shall look 
                          on the sins 
                     we have committed! 
                           [ Life: Ch. 40: #16 ]

 _______________________


3 ). How does St. Teresa discuss
          the results of deep trance?
               [ Life: Ch. 40: #11, 13 
                          Ch. 37: #12       ]


St. Teresa described 
   some aspects of  trance 
     in this way:

"I should like to point out 
    one result of a deep trance..."

~ During the trance:
   
    -  "during which the soul was in union

    -   ...all its powers were wholly absorbed
            (faculties: understanding,    
               imagination, memory )

    -   ...it lasts, but a moment (in duration)
                  [ Life: Ch. 40: #11  ]


~ After the trance:
    
    - the soul continues still to be recollected, 

    - unable to recover itself 

    - the memory and
      the understanding... 
          are in a frenzy, extremely disordered.

    - This... happens occasionally, 
           particularly in the beginnings. 
                [ Life: Ch. 40: #11  ]


           "When the time is over 
              during which the soul was in union
              wherein all its powers 
                   were wholly absorbed,
               --  it lasts...but a moment 

               the soul continues still 
                    to be recollected, 
               unable to recover itself 
                     even in outward things; 

                     for the two powers
                          the memory and
                          the understanding 
                     are, as it were, in a
                           frenzy, 
                           extremely disordered. 

                This...happens occasionally, 
                     particularly in the beginnings." 
                             [ Life: Ch. 40: #11  ]

           
                "In some of  these visions 
                  there must be 
                       something imaginary, only, 
                   as the powers of the soul 
                        are then in a trance, 
                   they are not able afterwards 
                        to retain the forms,
                   as our Lord showed them 
                        to it then, and 
                   as He would have it rejoice 
                        in them.
                           [ Life: Ch. 40: #13  ]



~ Her counsel for one who experiences
     these continued effects after a trance: 

    
    - Why it happens:
       The human condition is enfeebled 
            by so great a spiritual experience.
       The soul sees its own powerlessness
            and its dependence on God.

            "I am thinking 
              whether it does not result from this: 
             that our natural weakness 
               cannot endure the vehemence 
                     of the spirit,
                which is so great, and
              that the imagination is enfeebled. 

              I know it to be so with some".
                       [ Life: Ch. 40: #11  ]

              Our Lord, it may be, 
                  takes away from the soul 
                      the power of praying, 
                  that it may 

                       - betake itself 
                               to something else, and 

                       - learn by experience 
                                how little it can do 
                          in its own strength.
                             [ Life: Ch. 37: #12  ]


      -  Her Recommendations:
          If they are not able to pray,
             don't force self to pray.
          Instead do what one is able to do.


              "I think it best for these 
                  to force themselves to
                     give up prayer at that time, and
                     resume it afterwards
                          when they may recover 
                          what they have lost, and 
                   not do everything at once, 
                   for in that case 
                      much harm might come of it. 

                   I know this 
                        by experience, 
                   as well as 
                        the necessity of considering 
                        what our health can bear."
                         [ Life: Ch. 40: #11  ]


                   "I believe 
                    that now the best course is to be
                          - absolutely resigned, 
                          - confessing 
                    that we can do nothing, and so 
                          - apply ourselves...
                                 to something else 
                            which is meritorious".
                                [ Life: Ch. 37: #12  ]
       

___________________________


4). What did St. Teresa say  
      regarding Spiritual Direction?
          [ Life: Ch. 40: #12  ]

Regarding Spiritual Direction, St. Teresa said:

~ The importance of Experience
       
~ The importance of the guidance
      of a Spiritual Director


        "Experience is necessary throughout, 
         so also is a spiritual director;  
  
         for when the soul 
           has reached this point, 
         there are many matters 
          which must be referred to the director. 

         If, after seeking such a one,
           the soul cannot find him, 
         our Lord will not fail that soul
           seeing that He has not failed me, 
                 who am what I am: 


          They are not many, I believe, 
           who know by experience 
                  so many things,

           and without experience
            - it is useless to treat a soul at all, for
            - nothing will come of it, 
                   save only trouble and distress. 

           But our Lord will take this 
               also into account, 
            and for that reason 
                it is always best 
             to refer the matter to the director. 

  
           that it is of great importance, 
                 particularly to women, 
            that 
               - they should go to their confessor
                     and 
               -  that he should be 
                     a man of experience herein.

             There are many more women 
                  than men 
              to whom our Lord 
                  gives these graces; 

              I have heard the holy friar, 
                  Peter of Alcantara, say so,
              and, indeed, I know it myself. 

              He used to say 
                that women made greater progress 
                  in this way 
                than men did"
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: # 12  ]

__________________________


5). What encouragement does 
         St. Teresa give regarding 
       our changeable 
         emotions and devoutness ?
               [ Life: Ch. 40: #23  ]


St. Teresa said:

"Our Lord said to me once, 
        consoling me, 
that I was 
   not to distress myself,

         -- this He said most lovingly, --

    because in this life 
        we could not continue in the same state
                    
        At one time 
           I should be fervent, 
        at another 
            not (fervent); 

            now disquieted, 
        and again 
            at peace,  
         and 
             tempted; 

but I must 
    hope in Him, and
    fear not.
         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 23  ]

_________________________


6). St. Teresa discussed 
       attachment  to persons.

      What did she say?
         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 24, 25
                    Ch  37: # 4, 5     ]


~ Regarding those 
       whom she liked or liked her:

     "I had one very grievous fault
        which was the source of much evil;

       namely, whenever I found anybody 
          well disposed towards myself, and
          I liked him
             I used to have such an affection 
                 for him as compelled me always 
                  - to remember and 
                  - to think of him and... 
                          of his good qualities
              though I had no intention 
                 of offending God: 
    
       All this was so hurtful,
           that it brought my soul 
        to the very verge of destruction.
              [ Life: Ch.37: # 4  ]

      - Its Resolution:

         "But ever since I saw 
             the great beauty of our Lord,   
           I never saw any one 
             who in comparison with Him 
           -- seemed even endurable, or
           -- that could occupy my thoughts

           For if I but turn mine eyes inwardly 
           for a moment to the contemplation 
              of the image 
                  which I have within me
           I find myself so free,
            that from that instant 
               everything I see is loathsome 
                    in comparison with 
               the excellences and graces 
               of which I had a vision in our Lord. 

               Neither is there any sweetness
               nor any kind of pleasure, 
                 which I can make any account of,
               compared with...
                  but one word 
                from His divine mouth
                       [ Life: Ch.37: # 5  ]


~ Regarding those holy and learned persons
     who were her Confessors or
         Spiritual Directors

    "I was...thinking whether it was 
        a want of detachment  in me 
     - to take pleasure in the company of those   
          who had the care of my soul, and
     - to have an affection for them, and
     - to comfort myself with those 
         whom I see to be 
                very great servants of God 

     - How it was Resolved:

       "Our Lord said to me: 
         'It is not a virtue in a sick man
             to abstain from 
                  thanking and 
                  loving 
              the physician who seems 
                  to restore him to health 
              when he is in danger of death.

         'What should I have done 
              without these persons? 

         The conversation of good people 
              was never hurtful

          my words should always be 
              weighed, and holy; 

          and I was not 
              to cease my relations with them, 
          for they would do me good 
               rather than harm.'
                 [ Life: Ch. 40: # 24  ]

         This was a great comfort to me, 
          because, now and then, 
            I wished to abstain from converse 
                with all people; 
            for it seemed to me 
                that I was attached to them. 

~ Regarding the weak 
      or those who needed her help

     (St. Teresa did not specify here what
        the counsel was that she received
         regarding the weak or needful.
       But by her other writing, we know
         she would not abstain from
           comforting or assisting them
         in accordance with her rule. )
         

           "Always, in all things, 
                 did our Lord console me, 
             even to the showing me 
                 how I was to treat 
                     those who were weak, and 
                     some other people also.

            Never did He cease 
                to take care of me.
                 [ Life: Ch. 40: # 25  ]

__________________________


7). What did St. Teresa say about suffering?
         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 27  ]


St. Teresa talked about the value of suffering:

"our Lord...comforted me greatly, 
and told me 
   I must  do this for His love, 
            and bear it; 
    my life was necessary now. 

And so, I believe, 
   I have never known real pain 
 since I resolved 
    to serve my Lord and my Consoler 
  with all my strength

for though he would leave me 
   to suffer a little, 
yet He would console me in such a way 
   that I am doing nothing 
        when I long for troubles

And it seems to me 
  there is nothing worth living for 
      but this,  and 
suffering is 
  what I most heartily pray to God for

I say to Him sometimes, 
    with my whole heart: 
 "O Lord, either to die or to suffer! 

I ask of Thee nothing else for myself." 

It is a comfort to me 
   to hear the clock strike,
because I seem 
   to have come a little nearer 
        to the vision of God, 
   in that another hour of my life 
        has passed away.
       [ Life: Ch. 40: # 27  ]

________________________

8). What did St. Teresa say regarding 
       this writing of the  account of her life?
        [ Life: Ch. 40: # 28, 29, 30, 32, 33,  
          Epilogue:  Letter to the Confessor
           to whom  "The Life" was addressed ]

St. Teresa said:

~ Regarding the intention and reason
      for the writing:  
   
    - In obedience to the request 
        of her Confessor to write regarding
       her experience in prayer
         and the state of her soul

    - For the honor and glory of God
    
    - To strive for accuracy and sincerity

            "May our Lord grant 
              I have not fallen into any errors 
                    in the matter,
            for I had 
                    the intention and
                    the desire  
                to be accurate and obedient
            and also
               that through me 
                    He might have  glory
               in some measure, 
                         [ Life: Ch. 40: # 33  ]

             yet I have put down 
               all that has happened to me 

             with all the simplicity 
                 and sincerity possible.
                       [ Life: Ch. 40: # 33  ]


              But, still, I can say with truth
              that I felt it 
                  more difficult 
                      to speak of the graces 
                           which I have received  
                            from our Lord 
                  than to speak of my offences 
                      against His Majesty. 

               You, my father, 
                  commanded me to write
                at length; 
                     [ Life:  Epilogue 
                         Letter to the Confessor
                          to whom  "The Life" 
                          was addressed ]

    - An additional intention was that
         that others may be assisted by her experiences.

~ Regarding any intention 
     toward   publication  / dissemination


     "It pleased our Lord 
       that the graces He wrought in me 
          should be published abroad,  
       as He told me some years ago
          they should be. 

        But my comfort herein is 
           that it is not my fault
         that they are become known

         for I was extremely cautious 
             never to speak of them 
         but to my confessors, or to persons 
             who I knew had heard of them 
                   from them. 

         I was silent, however, 
             not out of humility
          but because...
             it gave me great pain
                    to speak of them 
           even to my confessor
                   [ Life: Ch. 40: # 28  ]

      

Regarding possible benefits of
     its distribution to others
        

        Help for the advancement of souls:

         - "I see that our Lord willed 
                   by this means 
              to provide help for many souls,

         - She was mindful how much
              Our Lord suffered for all souls.
            She also, if God willed, would suffer
              criticism for her writings, if by them,
            even one soul could advance toward God.

               - I see clearly and keep in mind 
                    how much (God)  would suffer, 
                 if only for the gaining of one (soul)"
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: # 29   ]
               - I think much more 
                   of one soul's advancement
                 even if it were but slight, 
                   than of all 
                 that people may say of me; 

                 and since I am settled here 
                  it has pleased our Lord 
                 that all my desires tend to this.
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: # 30   ]
           
         For the greater honor of God

                 my trouble 
                      has been great in writing; 
                 but it will be a blessed trouble 
                 if I have succeeded 
                      in saying anything 
                  that will cause 
                    one single act 
                      of praise to our Lord

                  If that were the case, 
                      I should look upon myself 
                   as sufficiently rewarded, 
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: # 32  ]

           Assistance to her Confessor 
                for whom she wrote this account
                    in obedience

                  "do you, my father, pray to God 
                    that He would
                      take me to Himself, or 
                       enable me to serve Him. 

                   May it please His Majesty
                   that what I have written 
                        may be of some use to you
                         my father! 
                          [ Life: Ch. 40: # 32  ]

                 
                   for your reverence will see 
                     by what I have written 
                   how profitable it is 
                     to give oneself, 
                               as your reverence has 
                               begun to do, 
                         wholly unto Him 
                      who gives Himself to us 
                         so utterly without measure.
                          [ Life:  Epilogue 
                                Letter to the Confessor
                                 to whom  "The Life" 
                                 was addressed    ]


~ Regarding possible disadvantages
     of its publication:


    (She had already asked that the book be destroyed
       if her Confessor and/or the Consultants
      found her writings to be in error.)
     
    - Misinterpretation

        It was a great pain to me, and 
           I have borne much on that account 
                 even to this day,  
         because every man explains them 
            in his own sense
                  [ Life: Ch. 40: # 28  ]


~  Regarding any criticism of herself:

        "though many speak against me, 
             but out of a zeal for goodness, and 
          though some are afraid 
             to speak to me, and even
             to hear my confession, and 
          though others have much to say 
             about me, 
                 [ Life: Ch. 40: # 29   ]

            (because her experiences 
                may help others, she said:)
            I do not care about (criticism) at all.
                [ Life: Ch. 40: # 29   ]


             I... care very little 
               what people say or know about me. 
                 [ Life: Ch. 40: # 30  ]

             I think 
                much more 
                      of one soul's advancement, 
                      even if it were but slight, 
                than of all 
                      that people may say of me; 
                      [ Life: Ch. 40: # 30   ]

~ Regarding critique of the book:

    - If the Confessor thought 
          the book was bad:

         "I would rather it were not burnt 
           before those three saw it
                whom you, my father, know of,
           because they 
                 are, and 
                 have been, my confessors; 

           for if it be bad, 
              it is right  
                they should lose the good opinion
                they have of me; 
                    [ Life: Ch. 40: # 32  ]


            "...to write at length; 
             that is what I have done, 
                on condition that you will do 
                     what you promised, 
             namely, destroy everything in it
                 that has the appearance 
                      of being wrong
                       [ Life:  Epilogue 
                         Letter to the Confessor
                          to whom  "The Life" 
                          was addressed ]


      - If the Confessor 
            and other past or present Confessors
         thought the book was good:

          "and if it be good, 
             they are good and learned men, 
            and I know they will 
                recognise its source, and 
                give praise to Him 
                      who hath spoken through me.
                        [ Life: Ch. 40: # 32  ]


 ~ End  of  Discussion  of  Chapter  40 ~

        The was the Last Chapter of this Book