Ascent of the Mind to God

<p>The Ascent of the Mind to God stands apart from Bellarmine's Apologetic works. Written after a retreat in 1614 he christened it his Benjamin because it was born in old age and the first of many other spiritual works which have been popular for centuries.</p><p>The <em>Ascent</em> proposes 15 steps of a ladder beginning with man the microcosm of all creation being a development of <em>Homo creates est</em> which are found in the first principle of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. Moving the microcosm he turns his attention to the macrocosm nature the elements the heavens and then the heavens above the angels and the very nature of God. St. Robert stops at each step to search out the vestige of God within creation and to challenge the soul to consider its final end at each turn.</p><p>Every movement up this ladder is a lesson in itself of holy wisdom drawn from the pages of Sacred Scripture assisting men in being more prayerful and assist them in finding time for contemplation in their busy lives. St. Robert draws on his own experience as he was a contemplative mystic in spite of his very busy life and exhorts the reader to overcome struggles of prayer and focus on God which he undoubtedly had to fight back at every turn.</p><p>Published here in a new translation the <em>Ascent of the Mind to God by the Ladder of Creation</em> will help the reader:</p><p>-to contemplate God in everyday things;</p><p>-to challenge their life habits and vices;</p><p>-to fight distraction in prayer;</p><p>-to see in all things the power beauty wisdom mercy and also justice of God.</p><p> </p><p>This books is ideal for personal prayer and meditation or for making a visit to the blessed Sacrament whether in a Church or an hour of adoration.</p>