# Despoilment ## Summary of the Concept In definitive Catholic thought, "Despoilment" is the **active phase** of "[[poverty]] of Spirit." It is defined by two movements: 1. **The Negative Movement:** Stripping away (_despoiling_) the ego, disordered appetites, and "likings/dislikings." 2. **The Positive Movement:** Being "clothed" by God. You empty the vessel so that God may fill it. ## Divine Intimacy Meditations — Of self and of all things in order to respond to the infinite love of God: **[[31-returning-love-for-love|31]]**,1,2; - to love and despoil oneself for God of all that is not God: **[[31-returning-love-for-love|31]]**,2; **[[348-purifying-love|348]]**,2; - need of despoiling self of all to attain true poverty of spirit: **[[300-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit|300]]**,1; - the soul which strips itself of its appetites, its likings and dislikings will be clothed by the Lord with His own purity, His own joy, and His own will: **[[300-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit|300]]**,2; - God rids the soul of its imperfections in order to clothe it with Himself: **[[348-purifying-love|348]]**,2.