Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ

by Jeanne Guyon

One of the most influential spiritual books ever penned, even secular historians acknowledge the great impact Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ has had in Christian history. Madame Guyon is generally credited, even by her enemies, as being one of the best-known women in church history. Will Durant, in his 11-volume Story of Civilization, recounts the impact of Jeanne Guyon's life and writings on French history.
At one time this book was publicly burned in France and yet it has also been received by seeking Christians as one of the most helpful and powerful Christian books ever written. Penned by one of Christianity's most famous saints, Jeanne Guyon, it has played a major part in the lives of more famous Christians than perhaps any other Christian book. Here is the very first edition written in modern English.
Watchman Nee saw that this book was translated into Chinese, and made available to every new convert of The Little Flock. Fenelon, Count Zinzenforf, John Wesley, the early Quakers, Jessie Penn-Lewis and Hudson Taylor all highly recommended it to the believers of their day.
This book will introduce you to a whole new-and deeper-relationship to Jesus Christ.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality, Prayer, Theology, Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1685

About the author

Jeanne Marie Bouvières de la Mothe Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon) was the leader of the Quietist movement in France. The foundation of her Quietism was laid in her study of St. Francis de Sales, Madame de Chantal, and Thomas a Kempis. At age 16, she married Jacques Guyon, a wealthy man of weak health, 22 years her senior. Until his death in 1676, her life was an unhappy one, partly due to the difference in their ages, and partly due to a tyrannical mother-in-law. Her public career as an evangelist of Quietism began soon after her widowhood.

Her first labors were spent in the diocese of Geneva, at Anecy, Gex, and Thonon, and in Grenoble. In 1686 she went to Paris, where she was at first imprisoned for her opinions, in the Convent of St. Marie in the Faubourg St. Antoine; she was released after eight months at the insistence of Madame de Maintenon. She then rose to the zenith of her fame. Her life at all times greatly fascinated those around her; the court, Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon’s College of Ladies at Cyr, came under the spell of her enthusiasm. But the affinity of her doctrines with those of Michael Molinos, who was condemned in 1685, soon worked against her.

Her opinions were condemned by a commission, of which Bossuet was president. She then incurred Bossuet’s displeasure by breaking the promises she had made to him to maintain a quiet attitude and not return to Paris. She was imprisoned at Vincennes in December 1695, and the next year moved to Vaugirard, under a promise to avoid all receptions and correspondence, except by special permission. In 1698, she was imprisoned in the Bastille for four years. She spent the remainder of her life in retirement with her daughter, the Marquise de Bois, at Blois. She had numerous visitors of all ranks, some from foreign countries, and had a considerable correspondence. Her works fill some 40 volumes. (less)

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a believer we should all be learning from the scripture on how to go deeper in the depths of Jesus Christ, Madame Guyon has tapped into this reality through simple and practical steps. As she puts it, "We have all been called to the depths of Christ just as surely as we have been called to salvation." This book carries spiritual authority that can be applied for every believer today! The impact of this book has affected many saints of old and new and these writings completely shook the Roman Catholic Church. Some called her a heretic for these writings, for which she was imprisoned for; others handed out as many copies as they could which in turn affected entire towns.

I am still processing and learning all that was released in this book and in no way have I reached the depths that Madam Guyon goes into, but I've tasted just a little bit to want dive into this deep experience with our Lord. She encourages the reader to continue to advance past each step while laying aside everything else but the Word of the Lord, allowing them to speak to you; you don't even have to say anything! She starts with the very easy and practical way of prayer reading the scripture, to pure abandonment after Him, "By withdrawing from outward objects, you will constantly draw nearer to God." I cannot stress enough on how simple it is, but at the same time, for me and probably for many other beginners, there is still a lot of "undoing" and simplifying that is not easy to do. It’s easy to give up and walk away from these truths that Madame Guyon talks about but we are all called to this place of intimacy and we must press in with the Holy Spirit leading us.

I have been very encouraged by this book and plan on reading it many times over as I continue my walk with the Lord. This spiritual engaging with the “Union of God” takes much time and practice…just like anything that you want to be good at! Madame Guyon states it simply, “When something is repeated over and over, it becomes a habit. This is true even of your soul. After much practice your soul forms the habit turning inward to God.” We should all be attaining to reach these depths not through striving and religious duties but out of pure love for Jesus. She states, “If you love Him, you love everything about Him.” How can we draw closer to Him if we don’t continually turn our hearts, souls, and minds, inwards to Him to listen and to gaze upon our beautiful Creator. Jesus loves us all but, “The Lord is very jealous over any saint who is utterly abandoned to Him.”

I know this book will impact your life, take some time to read and re-read it when you can and watch your prayer life explode and your relationship with Jesus catch fire!

Blessings,

Patrick Judah

[Jason Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I'm actually re-reading it after having read it 11 years ago. I was thinking today in church how the forefathers of our faith only knew the Old Testament and the spirit of God to teach them the walk. The whole purpose of this book is to guide the reader into being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Something that I find is overlooked inn the body today.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeanne Guyon is my mentor. I ran across this book in a bookstore over 30 years ago. Jeanne taught me how to read Scripture, how to pray and how to hear from God! I can't wait to thank her in person!

[Reagan Styrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different from nearly every other Christian book I have read, that's for sure. The last chapter of the book should have been the foreword. It explains how "famous" Christians in history such as Charles Wesley and Watchman Nee found this book helpful in deepening their spiritual relationship with God, and how controversial the text was at the time (over 300 copies burned when it was released, at a time when few people owned books!). It also explained how the text had been re-written from its original 17th century edition to be more accessible for the modern reader.

Having read the end, I now feel the need to start all over at the beginning. Luckily this is a short book, so I may read it again in the future.

My biggest complaint is that the language is a little mystical. Maybe it's something you just have to experience to understand but the author was really losing me in parts.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older mimeographed translation of this work, which was originally written in French in 1685, included a preface noting, “That this little book has fallen into your hands is an indication that God desires to do a special work in your heart.” Indeed.

I’ve had this book on my shelves for many years, and perhaps for that very reason I finally started reading it.

This book probably requires a reread. Or a number of rereads. Next time more slowly, with the intention of actually putting her advice into practice. In other words, now that I’ve finally finished Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, it’s time to start experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this for a cohort I am part of. Some bones to spit out, but overall a great challenge to learn to seek Christ inwardly in your heart. There are definitely layers of mysticism that goes against my western rationalistic mindset. Nevertheless, Guyon (can't believe this book is from the 1600s and was publicly burned) does not want us to ignore the Word, but use everything she says for the purposes of knowing Christ more. The language is simple. I got lost sometimes on what exactly she means, but overall the disciplines of silence, meditation and listening the Lords voice (instead of all the talking we do in prayer) were good challenges and reminders for me in helping my prayer life.

[Kami Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really took my time reading this. Phrase after phrase just filled me up with so much more that inspiration! Practical pathways of a life of prayer… This is the substance of this work. I need to read all of Madam Guyon’s works!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this amazingly rich guide, several times I had to stop and ponder how a woman in the 1600s could have written this without today's university education, formal Bible study, or guidance from other teachers. I think that is what God does, equips the willing, perhaps not just the educated and powerful. Jeanne Guyon obviously had help from the Holy Spirit. Her method of a deep practice of knowing God, and allowing Him space to work in your life is incredibly simple and manageable for all of us. Her first two suggestions are doable for beginners. Several later suggestions are definitely challenging, and will probably take a lifetime to work on (abandonment and continual prayer are two that will be struggles for me). If you want to learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit in your daily life, then read this book. Your life will never be the same. This will be a book I will need to read over and over to fully understand it's depth.

[Cory Jew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book. Definitely earns it's description as one of the greatest Christian writings of all time. Interested in finding out more about the author. Very much enjoyed the progression and description of spiritual formation. She writes in a way that creates low expectations for you with a high reward of seeking God deeply. I love how she describes the Depths of silent prayer and contemplation/meditation. Not a lot of good books like this one on that subject that I've discovered so far. 10/10 big recommend.

[Daniel Wilbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mysteries of Christ simplified. Such a confusing thought, Christ in us, explored in the simplest of language. Amazing book. Recommend to all who desire to know God intimately… so everyone.

[Rachael Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impactful books I have ever read. It is a small book, but took me about 8 months to get through because each chapter had so much depth and ways to practice application. Jeanne Guyon is brutally honest and the Lord used her words to pierce my heart and convict me over and over again! I plan to come back to this book often in the years to come. 1000% recommend!

[Justin Heath · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to consistently implement the suggested practices of the book, such as "praying the Scripture" or waiting for the presence of God in meditation. I used to meditate a lot and it came simply and grew over years. But, then I got away from it and it feels like a long road back - I'm lucky to get 3 consecutive minutes nowadays.

Much like other books I've read by saints and Christian mystics, the latter portions of their journey always seem to lose me. They get into these rarefied levels of spiritual experience that seem impossible to reach and near perfection. When I start hearing absolute terms, like "dying to self" and "being in perfect Union with God", I tend to feel like an ideal is being set that is unrealistic. I think we can grow spiritually and we can make great strides, but I feel we will always fall well short of perfection. I like saints, like St. Theresa of Avila, who admit their imperfection while striving to improve - all the while knowing that God's love is not dependent on the leading of a blemish-free life.

The book had some helpful suggestions and some insights that are worth reflecting upon. It's call to slow down our lives - the way we read, the way we pray - and be present to God is something I will continue to try to practice.

[Rhonda]

My former pastor highly recommended Jeanne Guyon & this book. He taught our house church about her way of "meditating on Christ in your heart" as my pastor called it. The pastor deemphasized the usual (protestant) church model of listening to a pastor preach on a Bible passage. When he tried to have people meditate on Scripture Jeanne Guyon's way I just didn't relate. I had some hangups and problems with Bible study at the time. I wasn't really able to get into God's presence. I think I needed structure & sermons. Eventually I stopped attending that house church and became Catholic.

A friend from that house church gave me a copy of the book. I never finished it. I do mean to read it through sometime. I can see now from a Catholic perspective that Guyon's method of meditating on Scriptures is similar to Lectio Divina. I think I'm in a somewhat better place to be able to benefit from either Lectio Divina or Jeanne Guyon's spirituality. After I finish it I will come back to actually review the book.

[Ami Kismet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simplicity of the message of 'spending tine with the Lord' goes against most people's ideas about having to do everything exactly right. It is not so much a how-to or a guide, but a book about spending time with your Lord even in the mundane. I have not gotten too far into it so far, but i plan on recording my thoughts and reactions to this book, and how it applies to this everyday woman trying to place spirituality and Jesus Christ at the top of all my priorities.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most influential spiritual books ever penned. Madame Guyon is generally credited, even by her critics, as being one of the best-known women in church history. Her book had impact on Watchman Nee, Fenelon, Coun Zinzendor, John Wesley, the early Quakers and Hudson Taylor. Introduces the reader to a deeper, prayer centered, word-centered, silence driven relationship to Jesus Christ.

[Noel Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

another amazing book on the method prayer a woman from the 1600's. it's a little hard to get through with some of the language gap that comes with 400 years of time, and obviously a depth that's far far beyond my own. but a book i will read many more times as the years go by.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book to read quickly. It's a long thoughtful read with many great take-aways. She writes, " I have written this book to those dear simple followers of Jesus Christ who are not qualified for intensive research but who, nonetheless, desire to be wholly given to God"

[Voniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Forever Changed How I viewed Relating To God

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me at just the right time. It helped me think through and put into words some ideas, concepts, and insights that had been swirling around me and swirling around in my heart and mind. It has been translated from old French and the language can be somewhat vague and abstract BUT if you have had connection with God on "the inside" or on an internal, spiritual level you will recognize what she is talking about throughout the book. She also does start with some practices that can help us reach that internal connection with God but she warns from becoming too attached to them and substituting real experience with God's presence for those practices. It is definitely a book, now that I have read through it, that I would go back to and use in a slower more intentional way as a devotional and her practices as a way to experience the Scripture and prayer. The history behind the book, which is included as an Epilogue, was very interesting as well.

[Alex House · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few really great ideas in this book. It was tough to follow. It was very plain wording, which was her point when she wrote it to illiterate people who were meant to listen to a reader, but that made it hard to remain engaged. I agree that this was most likely a very influential book when it came out, but in the 200 years since this was written, many many books have been published with equal or better content. I will walk away with the few ideas I found intriguing but not much more.

[David McCune]

This is a difficult book to rate. It is also a hard book to measure in terms of usefulness. Where, on a believer’s pilgrimage, would this book be most helpful? It would be very confusing to a new believer. It is not the most practical book, per se. It certainly reads like something written by an academic. Madame Guyon’s life was interesting and admirable. I am glad I read this book, and I think it will take some time to digest.

[Megan Mae Oitzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most fantastic Christian writings of all time. Had to read over the course of a year to sit through all of its truth.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Not one to read through quickly, rather, one to be digested and practiced. This is the kind of book that, I believe, when put into practice, will make a transformational impact on my life. The type of prayer she talks about throughout the book sounds like a burden or a discipline but by the end she writes about how this prayer is the best thing you could ever experience!

[Patrick Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but deep. Definitely going to be one that I read again over time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in the late 1600s under the title. A Method of Prayer. Because Jeanne Guyon advocated for a “deep, inward relationship to Jesus Christ” which she taught as ultimately being experienced through silent inward prayer, she was labeled a Quietist. [Quietism was considered heretical by the Catholic Church at that time.] I saw many parallels to what she taught and the Interior Castle prayer of Teresa of Avila. Both teachings are hard to understand and reach a spiritual level achieved by few. And yet there is a validity to reading and studying these works as an inspiration to aspire to a deeper prayer life. Madam Guyon’s teachings were influential in the lives of such men of faith as George Fix, John Wesley, and Watchman Nee.

I plan to read this book again to better understand her meaning and method of reaching a deeper spiritual walk which is achieved through God’s work in the soul.

[Matthew Ocenasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the most powerful and practical book on prayer and experiencing the presence of God that I have ever read. We talk a lot about sitting at Jesus feet, but I lacked a practical framework of how to start. This book is accessible and profound. An instant recommend to anyone with a desire to engage with Jesus in the secret place.

Abandon and much not many

[Samuel Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is fascinating because it is historical as a classic Christian Mystic piece of literature from the late 1600s. Not only that, but the major ideas put forth in the book no doubt were radical for Christendom at the time of writing. Furthermore, it’s interesting how, minus the self-loathing, modern Christian movements (especially charismatic) somewhat align with some of those major ideas put forth in this book. Some of these ideas include allowing the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin rather than you trying to examine yourself, beholding God until you become like Him (Christ-like; not deity), focusing on the inner heart transformation of a new believer first rather than the outward physical transformation, the practical act of praying Scripture and spending time in God’s presence, and unfortunately, anti-intellectualism. It’s very awesome to see Guyon extending her audience to the simple, but it’s very uncool when she takes shots at the learned.

The big problem I have with this 1981 SeedSowers Publishing version of this book is that I can’t find the name of the person who translated this book or what their credentials are and I can’t find how they went about translating from late 1600 French to modern English. Some of the words at the end of the book began to seem eerily similar to some charismatic writings I’ve read. For example, on page 118-119 the translation reads, “In fact, we are discussing the very thing that caused the early church to lose its life and beauty. It was the loss of a deep, inner, spiritual relationship to Christ. Counterwise, the church could soon be restored if this inner relationship were recovered! Right now Christian leaders are quite preoccupied with the fear that the Lord’s people will fall into some doctrinal error. Oh, but when Christians are believing in Jesus Christ and drawing near to Him, there is little danger of such a thing ever happening!” So, I may be too harsh, but this section above includes Charismatic movement words like “restore” and “recovered,” as well as an apparent lack of value for protecting doctrinal accuracy. If this is what Jeanne Guyon actually meant, I am amazed how similar Guyon was thinking to a modern day Charismatic Christian! If it’s not what she actually meant, I am very frustrated that a translator would use a historical piece of literature and mold it to fit his own perspective.

The second problem I have with this book is that Jeanne Guyon said that the method of prayer she is teaching in this book is “simple,” but she didn’t describe it simply. I appreciate her trying to put words and practicality to the deep mystical workings of the Holy Spirit in us as we cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus, but the written result is not simple. I also do not appreciate how Jeanne gives ultimatums. She says things like you “can’t” do this “until” you do that. Or you will “never” accomplish this “unless” you do that. Since she is speaking of mystical things, she shouldn’t hold quite so strongly to her system. She’s against forms, but she sounds like she’s drilling down her own form pretty harshly.

[Beth C · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read:
Beyond 5 stars. The first 19 pages are life-altering for the follower of Jesus. Jeanne Guyon is the spiritual mother I’ve been looking for.

“The first thing you must learn, dear friend, is that ‘the kingdom of God is within you.’ Luke 17:21
Never look for the kingdom anywhere but there, within. Once you have realized that the kingdom of God is within you and can be found there, just come to the Lord.” p 15

“Never doubt your Lord's deep love for you. Never doubt His desire to hear you.” p 16

Second read:
I am so glad to have started 2025 with this book. The concepts presented in Chapter 21 shook me most in this reread. Apart from Christ, a man’s spirit is deadened. [At the Fall] “God lost His chance to move into man’s spirit. Man lost the ability to contain the life of God and to bear the image of God.” p 99

“And how could God restore man's spirit? How could He restore the image of God in man? By none less than Jesus Christ. It had to be the Lord Jesus Himself who gave life to man's spirit and restored the image of God. Why? Because Jesus Christ alone is the exact image of His Father. He alone brings the life of God into man.
No image can be repaired by its own efforts.��� p 99

As a spirit with body and soul, I can act/speak/be lead by my soul or by my spirit. Let me choose to be Spirit-led, Lord!

[Jessica Petree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes how to launch out in the deep with Jesus - how to go from being a new convert to the faith, to one who dives deeply into an experiential relationship with Jesus. The appendix at the end describes how this work has profoundly influenced such famous men as Zinzendorf and the Moravians, John Wesley and Watchman Nee. Indeed, almost every age has been touched by this book in some form or another, and it stands as a foundational piece in Christian literature.

I truly enjoyed reading this book - it talks about praying the Scripture, learning how to be silent before God, learning how to turn inwardly to Him and many other truly helpful topics. I think I will be coming back to this book a lot, as it is so deep, one cannot appreciate it all at once. It will also take me a long time to learn to practice what it describes, but I will make it one of my aims to try.

[Dan Pan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone want to take a defibrillator and shock their spiritual life into beast-mode?

This is the book for that.

Just like Rahab the harlot or Ruth the Moabite, God decided to condescend to a woman living in the middle of spiritually dead Roman Catholic France in the 1600s. He must’ve given her the content for this book directly, because I don’t even know how she could’ve gotten it otherwise.

This was one of those books that took forever to finish because I’d read a small passage, then set it down and ponder. It’s a short 190 pages, but took 2 months to finish because every other sentence was just so thought-provoking.

I recommend this book to everyone. But be warned - you’ll have to treat it like a child. It’ll take up so much of your mental energy. It’ll make you think. And think. And think. And pray. And pray. And pray.