Being aware of and experiencing God's boundless love for us is the way to an understanding of Him. During his lifetime, Michael Molinos, a 17th century Spanish Jesuit, was branded a heretic for teaching something that we take for granted as our right, if we so choose: the practice of "inward prayer." His book, The Spiritual Guide, was condemned by both secular and religious authorities, and it was burned. Nevertheless, this book was not destroyed. It is still available, and it is a great gift to those who seek the deeper spiritual life.

In the introduction, Michael Molinos tell us: "Understanding the deep things of the Lord does not come first from a good intellect, nor logic, nor reasoning; it comes from experience."

The focus of this book is the difference between the external Christian life, and the internal spiritual life. He says, "What is prayer? It is an ascent of the mind to God...In the first kind of prayer, one thinks upon God; in the other, one beholds Him."

He encourages people to go on to this deeper form of prayer: "Perhaps the first is necessary in order to have the second. The first is seeking. The second is a finding. You might say the difference is as the difference between the preparation of food and the savoring of food."

Michael Molinos uses a beautiful illustration to assure us that experiencing God's love is possible for us: "When the time to be before the Lord has come, know that your friend 'faith,' and your friend 'intention,' will guide and conduct you to God." In other words, inward prayer is a prayer of faith. Remember when you embark on this journey of prayer that you are accompanied by your friends, Faith and Intention. The God who loves us looks at our heart intention, and welcomes us into His presence.

The Spiritual Guide, by Michael Molinos, is a classic worth reading. You will find these words from the past to be a great encouragement as you seek a deeper walk with the Lord.

142 pages (includes a 30-page biography of Molinos)