Book

Description

Teresa of Avila, a 16th-century Carmelite nun known as a teacher of the mystical life, proposed interpersonal friendship as one of the prerequisites for the life of prayer. She envisaged prayer as an interpersonal relationship with the triune God and considered interpersonal friendship among the aspirants of prayer as essential prerequisite. Love of God and the love of neighbour have always been the pillars of Christian spirituality. While love of God has been considered as its vertical dimension, the love of neighbour served as its horizontal dimension that stood the test of true spirituality.