The Ascent of Mount Carmel XI--Book II, Chapters 13-15
Read pages 189- 199 in The Ascent of Mount Carmel.
Chapter 13
(1) Why is it very important to know the proper time to leave discursive meditation?
(2) What is the first sign that one is ready to leave discursive mediation?
(3) What is the second sign?
(4) What is the third sign?
(5) Note the caution St. John of the Cross makes about the occurrence of these signs.
(6) Why is one or two of the signs insufficient evidence of the time to leave discursive prayer?
(7) What does John counsel about the third sign--the loving knowledge of God?
Chapter 14
(1-2) What are the two reasons for requiring spiritual persons to give up sensory meditation when the three signs are present?
(3) Why does the desire of others for them to meditate cause displeasure in those who are ready to move on?
(4) What is "the rind of the fruit" that St. John of the Cross refers to in this passage?
(6) List the two faculties St. John talks about at the end of this passage. Keep them in mind as you read the next section. He will make frequent reference to them.
(7) What is the difference between the use of the two faculties like?
(8-9) Compare the purity of knowledge in section 8 with the passage about the ray of light in section 9. What is John trying to tell us in these two passages?
(10-11) What do the purity and simplicity of knowledge cause in the intellect and soul? What is the result? Are persons working with this knowledge actually idle?
(12) Why is forgetfulness less frequent than might otherwise be the case?
Chapter 15
(1) What does St. John of the Cross say about discursive meditation among proficients? What can one expect until one becomes proficient in contemplation?
(2) How can meditation help at this point in time?
(3) Why should one abandon the attempt at discursive meditation when one enters into a state of contemplation?
(4) Why is the light never infused while one still has hold of tangible images and ideas?
(5) What should one do when one cannot meditate? Why?
