> [[divine-intimacy-preface-mental-prayer|← Divine Intimacy - Little Catechism on Prayer]] | [[-divine-intimacy-toc|TOC]] | [[divine-intimacy-meditations-by-month|Divine Intimacy - Meditations by Month →]] # Divine Intimacy Preface --- ## Preface Mental prayer is indispensable to the spiritual life; normally it is, so to speak, its very breath. However, this spontaneity in prayer is usually realized only if the soul applies itself to meditation for some time by its own personal effort. In other words, one must learn how to pray. It is to teach souls this devout practice that various meditation books have been published. There are many methods, each with its own merit; among them is the Teresian method, so called because it is based on the teachings of St. Teresa of Jesus, the Foundress of the Discalced Carmelites and the great mistress of the spiritual life. Some years ago, we outlined this method in a pamphlet called the Little Catechism of Prayer,1 which has since been translated into many European languages and into some of the Asiatic tongues. It is a simple exposition of the Teresian method according to the writings of many Carmelite authors; its widespread circulation shows very clearly that this method answers the needs and the desires of many prayerful souls. Hence, we judged it timely to offer souls aspiring to advance in the interior life, a collection of subjects for meditation for each day of the year, according to the Teresian idea and method of mental prayer. _FATHER GABRIEL OF ST. MARY MAGDALEN, O.C.D.,_ --- ![[bibliography#^biblio-di]] > [[divine-intimacy-preface-mental-prayer|← Divine Intimacy - Little Catechism on Prayer]] | [[-divine-intimacy-toc|TOC]] | [[divine-intimacy-meditations-by-month|Divine Intimacy - Meditations by Month →]]