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The Spiritual Guide
Michael Molinos came closer to reforming the Catholic church than any other single man in history, yet he ended up sealed in a dungeon, his book condemmed. Now for the first time ever, this book appears in modern English.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1685
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353 people want to read
About the author
Miguel de Molinos
46 books3 followersMiguel de Molinos (30 June 1628 – 29 December 1696) was a Spanish mystic, the chief representative of the religious revival known as Quietism.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 17, 2016
Controversial, not agreeing with some points he makes. Nevertheless, the writing is clear and logical. Good lecture, thought-provoking.
I find his most revolutionary quote (that also must have given him the Quietist title) to be: “Seek silence in the midst of the tumult, seek solitude in the masses, light in the midst of darkness; find forgetfulness in injury, victory in the midst of despondence, and courage in the midst of alarm, resistance in the midst of temptation, peace in the midst of war.” p.16
I find his most revolutionary quote (that also must have given him the Quietist title) to be: “Seek silence in the midst of the tumult, seek solitude in the masses, light in the midst of darkness; find forgetfulness in injury, victory in the midst of despondence, and courage in the midst of alarm, resistance in the midst of temptation, peace in the midst of war.” p.16
June 4, 2018
A classic guide to what has been called Pure Prayer and Contemplative Prayer, as well as the Prayer of Quiet. This Prayer is a passive, alert receptivity to unseen, off unfelt Presence, or God... There are correspondences in other wisdom paths than Christian, among those Shikan Taza in Zen Buddhism, and Mahamudra and Dozschen, each in different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. This, to the author, as with other apophatics, is the path to union with God, which means a communion-in-oneness, not a oneness of identity, or substance: compare Qualified Nondualism in Advaita, taught by Sri Ramanuja.
The author drew off the history of apophatic theology, which asserts the Absolute is known through a process of negation, similar to Self Inquiry in Advaita-also compare Nicolas de Cusa's 'learned ignorance'. This tradition sees the evolution of prayer and meditation from words and images to a receptive silence of loving attentiveness. Though this long-standing tradition had been within the Catholic Church, the author was condemned and the book listed as forbidden reading. The transcripts of the author's trial remain concealed by the Vatican. Certainly, this kind of work poses a threat to the dominance of final reliance on accepted dogma and the mediation of human authority and the control by ecclesiastical structure, even if that was not the author's intent.
This book I highly recommend for those interested in objectless meditation with an underlying devotional sense to what he or she refers to by God, or another designation, personal or abstract.
The author drew off the history of apophatic theology, which asserts the Absolute is known through a process of negation, similar to Self Inquiry in Advaita-also compare Nicolas de Cusa's 'learned ignorance'. This tradition sees the evolution of prayer and meditation from words and images to a receptive silence of loving attentiveness. Though this long-standing tradition had been within the Catholic Church, the author was condemned and the book listed as forbidden reading. The transcripts of the author's trial remain concealed by the Vatican. Certainly, this kind of work poses a threat to the dominance of final reliance on accepted dogma and the mediation of human authority and the control by ecclesiastical structure, even if that was not the author's intent.
This book I highly recommend for those interested in objectless meditation with an underlying devotional sense to what he or she refers to by God, or another designation, personal or abstract.
May 3, 2020
I read the edition published by Seedsowers. Amazing this book was banned by the church.
July 13, 2021
When I was given this book, I was admonished to “chew the meat, spit out the bones.” That was good advice, as there is both meat and bones to be found here.
There are good (great even) reflections on the inner spiritual walk and communion with the God of the Bible. There are compelling and moving invitations to taste and see, to come deeper in, to truly let go of all else before affection for God.
But there are also statements that are contrary to God’s Word. We are called to love God with our minds, not completely let go of our mind. We are called to meditate on God’s Word countless times; Molinos appears to count the written Word as a hinderance to knowing God rather than as the primary source of His revelation.
The Bible isn’t God. So if you grew up, like I did, where ones spiritual walk was more about learning head knowledge than truly communing with a Person, then you will find helpful insight and meditations here. Just be careful you don’t throw out the Baby with the bath water.
If ALL we do is look inside, we are sure to find a god who looks very similar to us.
There are good (great even) reflections on the inner spiritual walk and communion with the God of the Bible. There are compelling and moving invitations to taste and see, to come deeper in, to truly let go of all else before affection for God.
But there are also statements that are contrary to God’s Word. We are called to love God with our minds, not completely let go of our mind. We are called to meditate on God’s Word countless times; Molinos appears to count the written Word as a hinderance to knowing God rather than as the primary source of His revelation.
The Bible isn’t God. So if you grew up, like I did, where ones spiritual walk was more about learning head knowledge than truly communing with a Person, then you will find helpful insight and meditations here. Just be careful you don’t throw out the Baby with the bath water.
If ALL we do is look inside, we are sure to find a god who looks very similar to us.
August 20, 2021
I read the Spanish original text on a pocket edition (printed in the 1970's, at the end of Franco's dictatorship and the fall of ultra-catholic censorship ) around 1999. First time I read the entire text on a single night concentrate reading. After I have returned regularly to taste the precious counsel on this "experimental mystique" as this of Theresa of Avila - inspirer of Molinos - and Middle Age Platonism - Bernard de Clairvaux. The interest is that interior experience seek to emancipate from oppression, being the spirituality of Molinos, as previously Theresa, a way of Resistance in the paroxysm of Inquisition. Protestant were persecuted at these times, as Jews and Muslims altogether - in Spain particularly. Molinos himself writes from his Italian exile, even if he succeeded at once to live as a comfortable courtisan. There are echoes in book as Cervantes' Quixote, and French Quietism ( Madame Guyon and Fenelon ) and in the life of Baroque poets ( Don Juan de Tassis, Gongora, Sister Juana Inés de la Cruz ) I don't know specifically this English translation.
January 18, 2020
4.8 stars
Banned by the Vatican. Molinos advocated a personal relationship with god vs getting your marching orders from the Church. The Church did not tolerate such viral beliefs.
Miquel de Molinos started a movement called Quietism. For example: If you sinned, instead of flagellating yourself with a whip or a guilt trip, you prayed to God for forgiveness. And you took sin's silver lining as an opportunity to praise god and spend precious time with the Creator.
Quietist's morphed into mystics, contemplating God. "Infused contemplation” – the direct experience of God, communicated to the soul vs meditating on biblical passages and Church edicts.
Essential read for those looking for a mystical experience with God.
Banned by the Vatican. Molinos advocated a personal relationship with god vs getting your marching orders from the Church. The Church did not tolerate such viral beliefs.
Miquel de Molinos started a movement called Quietism. For example: If you sinned, instead of flagellating yourself with a whip or a guilt trip, you prayed to God for forgiveness. And you took sin's silver lining as an opportunity to praise god and spend precious time with the Creator.
Quietist's morphed into mystics, contemplating God. "Infused contemplation” – the direct experience of God, communicated to the soul vs meditating on biblical passages and Church edicts.
Essential read for those looking for a mystical experience with God.
December 29, 2012
This gives great understanding of silent meditation and contemplation without lust of results.
December 17, 2014
"Anyone found in possession of this book will be excommunicated" -Papal Decree 1687
Every time I read the story of Michael Molinos I cry. I am amazed at a man who went through so much for his faith. Locked in prison by the pope in a trial that we may never know what happened, but because he disagreed with a few things they believed in.
This book is truly a treasure. Sharing his heart of a God who cares about each one of us, and wants to have a relationship with us. The importance of getting away in solitude with God and spending time in prayer is such a great thing to remember. Molinos talks about the dryness we go through in our lives as Christians and encourages us through that. God is using it to make you a better follower of Him. One that I have read a few times and each time pulls on my heart, and one every Christian should read as well.
Every time I read the story of Michael Molinos I cry. I am amazed at a man who went through so much for his faith. Locked in prison by the pope in a trial that we may never know what happened, but because he disagreed with a few things they believed in.
This book is truly a treasure. Sharing his heart of a God who cares about each one of us, and wants to have a relationship with us. The importance of getting away in solitude with God and spending time in prayer is such a great thing to remember. Molinos talks about the dryness we go through in our lives as Christians and encourages us through that. God is using it to make you a better follower of Him. One that I have read a few times and each time pulls on my heart, and one every Christian should read as well.
November 9, 2008
I haven't read this in years and wonder if I would be so enthusiastic in my review of this book if I read it today. I rather think not...
May 4, 2013
Started reading this when it was pressed, still trying.
This has bloody great content but the writing style of 1685 puts me too sleep.
You definitely should give it a try though.
This has bloody great content but the writing style of 1685 puts me too sleep.
You definitely should give it a try though.
May 23, 2023
"Seek silence in the midst of the tumult, seek solitude in the masses, light in the midst of darkness; find forgetfulness in injury, victory in the midst of despondence, and courage in the midst of alarm, resistance in the midst of temptation, peace in the midst of war."
"He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies" Psalm 18:11
Dr.Miguel de Molines, a Catholic priest, writes a simple spiritual guide for people to attain oneness with God through meditation and holy contemplation. His teachings and the doctrine in this book would go on to found the heresy of quietism. In this text, Miguel proposes a very introspective version of Christianity where the practicing Christian instead of looking out to the outside world withdraws into the self and annihilates the self to attain oneness with a divine. Miguel teaches that Christian should do this through. Non-resistance of God's will even going so far as to see all persecution, tremulation and temptation as part of God's plan to purify the soul. Hense the name quietist, to quite the soul before God. I find it quite interesting that Miguel states that one should not say they're surrendering to god, but simply to surrender in full in the mind and a quiet the mind as an act of surrender.
My gut reaction is comparative to many themes of different religions of non-resistance to the divine, for example, the Taoist doctrine of non action. However, there's more comparison with stoic philosophy finding the world in all of us tremendous states, seeing God and all of it and knowing it's all part of his plan.
My biggest complaint about this book is the same type of complaint I have towards any spiritual text older than 100 years, with very very few exception regardless of religion or denomination. Denomination. And that's it's very unnecessary ramble about how women are bad. Fro. Hesiod to the modern day it's surprising how deep patriarchy has embedded itself in our minds, even to our most holy affairs.
As far as old spiritual text go, this is a very interesting heresy as it is so close to accepted doctrine It's delicious! Not to mention having themes that reveal themselves in both modern christianity all the way to the new age movements. Good to know that there is evidence of meditation in the west in the way similar to that, which we currently perceive meditation with corporate appropriated Buddhism.
Three out of five, surprising interesting read but would not necessarily recommend with the exception of people interested in Christian heresies.
"He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies" Psalm 18:11
Dr.Miguel de Molines, a Catholic priest, writes a simple spiritual guide for people to attain oneness with God through meditation and holy contemplation. His teachings and the doctrine in this book would go on to found the heresy of quietism. In this text, Miguel proposes a very introspective version of Christianity where the practicing Christian instead of looking out to the outside world withdraws into the self and annihilates the self to attain oneness with a divine. Miguel teaches that Christian should do this through. Non-resistance of God's will even going so far as to see all persecution, tremulation and temptation as part of God's plan to purify the soul. Hense the name quietist, to quite the soul before God. I find it quite interesting that Miguel states that one should not say they're surrendering to god, but simply to surrender in full in the mind and a quiet the mind as an act of surrender.
My gut reaction is comparative to many themes of different religions of non-resistance to the divine, for example, the Taoist doctrine of non action. However, there's more comparison with stoic philosophy finding the world in all of us tremendous states, seeing God and all of it and knowing it's all part of his plan.
My biggest complaint about this book is the same type of complaint I have towards any spiritual text older than 100 years, with very very few exception regardless of religion or denomination. Denomination. And that's it's very unnecessary ramble about how women are bad. Fro. Hesiod to the modern day it's surprising how deep patriarchy has embedded itself in our minds, even to our most holy affairs.
As far as old spiritual text go, this is a very interesting heresy as it is so close to accepted doctrine It's delicious! Not to mention having themes that reveal themselves in both modern christianity all the way to the new age movements. Good to know that there is evidence of meditation in the west in the way similar to that, which we currently perceive meditation with corporate appropriated Buddhism.
Three out of five, surprising interesting read but would not necessarily recommend with the exception of people interested in Christian heresies.
March 30, 2020
This is an excellent look into the movements for and against Quietism and Meditation during the Middle Ages!
Although some of the terms and language are archaic this precious volume reveals the western Christian Church's efforts to suppress sincere seekers of the Truthful Way to union with God through Christ. Every spiritual searcher should be acquainted with this story because it is representative of the struggles between Light and darkness in every religious teaching. A true gem!
Although some of the terms and language are archaic this precious volume reveals the western Christian Church's efforts to suppress sincere seekers of the Truthful Way to union with God through Christ. Every spiritual searcher should be acquainted with this story because it is representative of the struggles between Light and darkness in every religious teaching. A true gem!
August 6, 2022
It’s a deep and difficult to convey message that Molinos does a great job of getting across, and it’s not at all surprising his message was seen as a threat by the Catholics. Even the intellect of man and his self-willed, self-imposed forms of worship can only get him so far; eventually he will come to a point where even those forms of self must be cut off and let go of, and all desires of progressing in his walk with God must be fully trusted over to God Himself, that He may do the final and perfect work in us.
August 28, 2020
This Christian classic guides believers into a powerful faith driven by things unseen, rather than those that are here today and gone tomorrow. Its focus is on principles and precepts that edify the faithful in matters pertaining to knowing God (Christ) inwardly and loving Him in the reality of HIs Being. This book will not tickle the religious mindset, but it is a spiritual guide that can usher a devoted soul into the unspeakable, peaceable, and joyous riches that are in Christ.
May 12, 2024
This book first published in 1685 is about approaching God through prayer through an interior way of contemplation and meditation. It expands on those and is truly a guide through differing times and circumstances. There may be people who think that nothing is achieved through quietism as it has been labeled but the start of any spiritual development starts in listening and waiting. Highly recommend this book. Sometimes it is a little repetitious but still a gem.
September 13, 2019
Don't quite agree with everything but there's a lot of treasures in there!
September 15, 2020
If religious authorities don't approve of a book, chances are that the book contains great wisdom.
August 30, 2022
“l’interiore mortificazione e la perfetta rassegnazione sono necessarie per attingere la pace interiore”
November 26, 2024
Insightful!!
June 27, 2018
Read a paperback edition years ago. Glad to read this again. I relate with the contemplative aspects but no longer sympathize with the self-denigration that was once considered part of the way to Union with God. Still, there are passages in this book that, after 25 years of reading from the leading mystics of varied faiths, that leave me amazed and will rival any work of any other Christian mystic, any mystic.
August 9, 2015
Molinos belabors and otherwise loses himself in ardor of God.
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April 17, 2018Written in old english and hard to understand as such
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews