The Threefold Mystical Path
Purgation: Katharsis. The initial grace for conversion. The belief in the existence of hell. The recognition of Jesus as God, Lord and Saviour. The purification of the vessel from corruption before God. The Active [Soul(1)] & Passive [God (2,3)] Purgations. Purification of supernatural intentions, the will of man to cooperate with God’s Divine Will. The Examination of Conscience. The Sting of Conscience. The Sorrowing for Sins. The Proposal to Renounce Sin. The Sacramental Confession of Sins. The Making of Penitential Reparations. The Hatred and Expulsion of Sin [Mortal & Venial]. The Dark Night of the Senses [purification from the appetites]. The Victory Against the Three Sources of Sin: the world [negligence < alacrity], the flesh [concupiscence < austerity] and the devil [malice < benignity]. Knowledge of the Faith [Sacred Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium, Catechism, Saints]. Asceticism. Custody and Reformation of the Mind. Recollection of the Mind/Soul from all internal and external distractions.
Illumination: Theoria. The Dark Night of the Soul [purification from pride]. The State of Sanctifying Grace [to prove receptive to the promptings of the actual graces in the conscience]. Cataphatic Theology. The Beam of Intelligence. Initiation in the Supernatural life. Becoming a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Becoming pleasing in the Eyes of God. Filial Adoption. The Triune God making an indwelling of Himself in the Soul [mortal sin expels man from supernatural life and from the state of sanctifying grace, reinstated by sacramental confession]. Real transformation and glorification of the Soul. The Soul's Ladder to the Heavenly Kingdom [steps = virtues]. Entrance into the Interior/Celestial Chamber [key = knock], where the heavenly things are seen. Entrance inside the Circle of God. Personal Relationship with God. Harkenable God as the Voice of the Moral Conscience. Seeing God: The Mystical Experience. Spiritual Exercises. Meditation, Mental Prayer & Mystical Contemplation [the shortcuts to sanctity]. The Divine Darkness / Cloud of Unknowing / Gnophos. The Divine Ladder of Jacob that reaches Peniel. The Enlightening of the Mind [Faith] and the Strengthening of the Will [Works] by the Holy Spirit. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Advancement of Virtue. The Establishment of Good Habits. Facility of Good Works. The Attainment and Increase of Merit. Consolations. Extraordinary Graces [Visions, Direct Revelations, Inspirations, Spiritual Insights].
Unification: Theosis. Sanctification [by Grace alone]. Deification. Transforming Union with God. The Restoration of the Image of God in which Man is originally made. The elevation of man above the angels. Participation in the Nature of God. Communion with Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist [The Angelic Manae]. The Heroic Degree of Virtues, whereby the body is no longer an obstacle for the works of the Spirit. Entrance into The Holy of Holies, the dark inner sanctum of God’s presence. Infused Contemplation. Mystical Contemplative Prayer: The Supernatural Blessing infused by God in the Soul of the Mystic, whereby he passively and consciously receives visions from God. Visual Manifestations. Miraculous Bodily Phenomena of the Ecstatics: The Will immovable from this State. Spiritual Marriage.