“Since the conduct of beginners in the way of God is much involved in the love of pleasure and self, God desires to withdraw them from this inferior way of loving.” —St. John of the Cross

Fr. William Meninger, OCSO, is one of the leading figures in the centering prayer movement. In this concise and beautifully written exposition, he guides the reader through two of the basic works of inner development by one of the most significant and influential of all Christian mystics, St. John of the Cross (1542–1591). These two texts—The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Night of the Soul—explore the inner spiritual journey in all its revelations and challenges, its moments of joy and its moments of profound torment. Fr. Meninger unfolds for contemporary contemplative seekers the essence of these classical texts, section by section. St. John of the Cross for Beginners is an invaluable introduction for anyone entering or considering Christian inner work, or wishing to go further on their path of development.