Addendum 8, a Sources hierarchy of sorts...


 My apologies for always thinking of something else to add after thinking I was finished.

 I had mentioned quite early in Sources a little book, "Common Mystic Prayer", which had a wonderful bibliography of largely forgotten classic references, well past St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Francis De Sales where we also find his spiritual daughter St. Jane Francis De Chantal, Abbot John Chapman in his "Spiritual Letters", Father Grou's "Manual for Interior Souls", as well as Father De Caussade's "L'Abandon/Self Abandonment To Divine Providence", and no few others.


Before anyone rushes off to buy any/all of these, I would wish to point out a simple fact, in my opinion, at the least.


"The Cloud of Unknowing" and it's sequel, "The Book of Privy Counsel", is a stand-alone wonderful manual on the interior life.


The later writings of St. John of the Cross appear to be a detailed exposition on "The Cloud", and then follow all the other just-above cited authors/works essentially detailing the same from their own perspective and works, by continuing with St. John's works.


There are spiritual riches aplenty in all of them, ever deeper dives into the meanings, experiences, and lack of experiences, as well as the manners we are deceived, or cause ourselves needless worry....but, a careful reading of "The Cloud" shows these things as well. The other works are quite an aid in recognizing and getting past "sticking points", especially when looked at from a different angle.


However, as mentioned several times earlier, the important thing is to begin this work, and persevere daily, since reading around it is no substitute for doing it. My own feeling is that most would be best served by keeping it simple rather than cluttering minds with a sea of disjointed thoughts over matters of which they have no experience, and to save the deeper for when, or ever if, needed.

Blessings to you on your journey, which still must take that first step to begin.

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