Mirabai Starr is an interspiritual author and speaker who leads retreats internationally on the mystics and the contemplative life. She teaches practices from the Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sufi traditions. She is best known for her heralded translations of Dark Night of the Soul by the 16th century Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross and The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. We gave God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam an award as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2012.

This paperback is part of a series of books published by Sounds True titled "Contemplations & Living Wisdom." Teresa of Avila, Starr writes, was "a true contemplative . . . who grew a garden in her heart and watered it with love." She was also a good administrator, founding 17 convents and monasteries in Spain.

In six chapters, Starr zeroes in on the essential themes of her spiritual journey. She includes translations of her writing and prayers Teresa used herself. Caroline Myss says in the Foreword that she adored every page of this little book. We did too, and carried away this quotation by Teresa of Avila: "The important thing is not to think much, but to love much, and so to do whatever best awakens us to love."

Try a Spiritual Practice on Devotion