It is True. It is Really True.

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Twenty-five years ago, at a Trappist Monastery near Montreal, my husband stumbled upon a book that changed our lives and filled us with hope and joy. Guidelines to Mystical Prayer, by a British Carmelite nun, Ruth Burrows, relates the experiences of two nuns who live in her monastery. They know that their old nature has died with Christ and that now Jesus lives within their hearts, minds,and souls.
These two women are the polar opposite of each other. Ruth renames one nun Petra (earth) because she does not receive any mystical visions or feelings. She is an example of most Christians whose spirituality is called “light off”. Never the less, Petra knows that her old self has died. Claire (light) is really a “light on mystic” who experiences inner locution, visions and feels God’s presence.




What a relief to discover a contemplative nun who is like my husband and I, who are very much “light on”. I can hardly express the exuberant joy we experienced as we connected and identified with Claire. We read and reread this book because God used it to explain our calling to us.

Comments

  1. Ruth Ann Pilney5:41 pm, January 15, 2014

    Melanie Jean, you are the very first person I "know", other than myself, who has mentioned my favorite spiritual book by Ruth Burrows. I found Guidelines to Mystical Prayer in Hales Corners, WI, where there was a monastery/seminary that operated a mail order business. They had a gigantic warehouse of Catholic books that was open to the public. How I loved walking through those aisles! I think I found my copy about the same time you did. I read it intently many times and underlined almost every word of it. I think I'm a combination of both Petra and Clarie. But my main take-away from the book was the need to trust in God's love wholeheartedly.

    After reading this post I'm inspired to reread it --- for the umpteenth time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie Jean Juneau6:50 pm, January 15, 2014

      So glad you commented. YOU ARE THE FIRST person who I have heard of who has read this book as well!!! We really must get the word out- she was a Carmelite nun, as well.

      Delete
  2. Unknown8:24 pm, January 15, 2014

    I put this on my wish list. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie Jean Juneau8:41 pm, January 15, 2014

      we have given countless copies away and are now bereft oursleves but I am looking for another copy,too

      Delete

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