Image via author, unnamed lake, Wallowa Mountains, Oregon

The book, “The Spiritual Guide” by Miguel de Molinos, has been a widely read and popular book since its original publication in 1675, and with a few short years it was translated into nearly every language on the European continent. Despite being banned by the Catholic Church in 1687, the book has remained enormously popular among true seekers of the life of Christ on nearly every continent.

“Happy is the man who has not other thought than to die to his self-nature. Therein is a victory over the enemy. Yes, but there is also victory over self. In that victory you will find a pure and unadulterated love, and a perfect peace toward your Lord. The believer who leaves all to find the Lord begins to possess all for eternity. There is a great difference which lies between this thing of doing and this thing of suffering and dying. Doing is delightful. It belongs to beginners in Christ. Suffering belongs to those who are seeking. Dying – dying to the self – belongs to those who are being completed in Christ.”

“If you will simply, freely give the Lord your soul, then step back, detached from all things, free and alone before Him, you will be the happiest person upon the earth.

If you would enter into this fellowship, then forget every care and every thought. Put off self so that the love of God may live within your soul.

Dedicate your being wholly to your creator. Offer your life in sacrifice to Him (do so with peace and quietness of spirit).

The more a believer puts off his self-life, the more he makes room for inner solitude with God. The more you become empty, both in outward things and in your own nature, the more room there is to be filled with the Divine Spirit.”