Jean Pierre de Caussade, the author of the classic which came to be known as Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence, was known as a good preacher. Between 1731 and 1749 he was directing a retreat house in Nancy. Notes were taken of his conferences but they were not published in book form for a wider readership until 1860, more than a hundred years later. They were eventually edited and published by Henri Ramiere who gave it its title. In his teaching de Caussade hones in upon the 'littleness' and 'ordinariness' of the daily routine in which God must be found. God is NOW and God is HERE, otherewise God is NOWHERE. If God is not found in the here and now, we will not find him in musings about the future or futile regrets over the past.

The Interior Castle, also known as the Book of Mansions, is considered Teresa of Avila's greatest and most mature explanation of the spiritual journey. For Teresa, growing spiritually is traveling inwards to the centre of our being where God dwells, yet too few set out with resolution to reach the Divine Presence. The Interior Castle treats of the spiritual journey in a totally original way. Here Teresa is not theorizing from books; instead she writes and speaks from personal experience and close observation of others. The book, in fact, was written with her nuns in mind, who were neither theologians nor particularly well educated, some indeed were illiterate. In those days there was little teaching available for women, and the manuscript was initially intended for reading aloud in community. As always Teresa stresses that prayer and life are interlinked, and that writing about prayer must have its parallel influence on daily life: 'We pray as we live and live as we pray.' God and neighbour, for Teresa, are inseparable, and she sees the spiritual journey as one of friendship with God and with those we live with. It means standing and living in the truth, whether in prayer or in life. This, she stresses, is the way to maturity and true inner peace.

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity for Everyone - Simplified and illustrated by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard.Elizabeth Catez (Sr Elizabeth of the Trinity) wrote two retreats towards the end of her life. They have been chosen here, together with her famous prayer to the Trinity, in the hope that they will help the reader to be led into Elizabeth's silence, and into sharing her secret of total surrender in love to the One she called 'her Three'.

In this adaptation of a classic 'how to' book of contemplative prayer, beautifully and simply expressed and illustrated, the riches of contemplative prayer are made available to all. Those who find this way of praying natural for them and those who wish to discover hitherto unknown facets of the beauty of prayer can alike find in it real spiritual nourishment.

ELIZABETH RUTH OBBARD was born into an army family and educated in England and Germany. After completing her schooling she spent a year in nursing and then entered the religious life. At present she is novice mistress at the Carmel of Our Lady of Walsingham, Langham, Norfolk. Other publications include: Lamps of Fire, daily readings with St John of the Cross; Magnificat the Journey and the Song; La Madre, the Life and Spirituality of St Teresa of Avila; Introducing Julian, Woman of Norwich. She has also contributed to various books and periodicals and written and illustrated some books for children.

c. 14th century woman sits at a desk in her simple, one-room dwelling attached to a church in Norwich. The room has three windows. Through one she can see the altar of St Julian's Church, through another the people of the town come to unburden themselves to her, through the third a maid brings her food, drink and water for washing. Known only as 'the lady at St Julian's of Norwich', she experienced an extraordinary series of visions and her record of them, published as The Revelations of Divine Love, became not only the first book in English to be written by a woman, but an enduringly popular spiritual classic. Her words speak afresh to each new generation with striking contemporary relevance. This engaging volume explores the very modern understanding Julian of Norwich had of the need for balance to keep our spiritual lives healthy and productive. Exemplified by the three windows in her cell - one representing adoration and love for God, one the service of others, one the importance of recognising one's own limitations and need of support -here is profound wisdom tempered by the practical realities of day-to-day living. Through Julian's Windows helps us to gain a deeper self-awareness so that we may grow in compassion for others and in our longing for union with God. Elizabeth Ruth Obbard lives as a solitary at the Carmelite friary at Aylesford, Kent. She is the author of numerous books including Every Pilgrim's Guide to Walsingham, also published by the Canterbury Press.

While women's contribution to spirituality has often been overlooked or minimized in the past, there is a vital and growing interest in it today. "Medieval Women Mystics" presents essential writings of 4 women of the 13th and 14th centuries. This is essential reading for anyone interested in medieval and/or women's spirituality, church history, as well as persons associated with the religious orders represented by these mystics (Benedictines, Franciscans, and Brigettines).

Carmelite spirituality is a way of life that spells Freedom. Rooted in the experience of the desert mothers and fathers who sought God in solitude, it can accommodate many temperaments and approaches. The primary focus is on Finding the way of prayer that will bring you closest to God. This warm and engaging book introduces six great Carmelite Figures and their individual ways of prayer. Let Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, Therese of Lisieux and others help you discover the pathway to authentic spiritual growth.