The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila

give, I will say something useful regarding the way of life practiced in this house. If I go astray, Father Báñez original: "Pere Bagnez." Domingo Báñez (1528–1604) was a prominent Spanish Dominican theologian and Teresa’s primary confessor and censor during the writing of this work., who will be the first to see it, will correct it or burn it. Thus, I shall lose nothing for having obeyed these servants of God; and they will know what I can do of my own accord when His grace does not assist me.

My design is to teach remedies for slight temptations In the context of 16th-century monastic life, "temptations" often referred not just to major sins, but to distractions, spiritual dryness, or subtle movements of the ego that hindered "mental prayer." stirred up by the devil, which religious persons Teresa refers here to the nuns within her reformed Carmelite convents. disregard because they do not believe them to be significant; and to also treat other points according as our Lord gives me the understanding, and as I am able to remember them. For, not knowing what I have to say, I would not know how to say it in order; and I believe it is best not to maintain any order at all, since it is already such a great reversal of order that I should even undertake to write on such a subject.

I implore the assistance of God, that I may conform myself entirely to His holy will. It is toward this that