13. Rest in God

The soul, having come thus far, has no need of any other preparation (for going to God) but rest. For here the presence of God begins to be intuitive and almost continual all the day long, which is the great fruit of prayer—or rather the continuation of it. Here the soul enjoys in its inner being an inestimable happiness: it finds that God is more in it than it is itself. The soul has only one thing to do to find Him, and that is to sink down into itself. As soon as it shuts its bodily eyes, it finds itself taken up into a state of prayer. It stands amazed at this Infinite Good, and a conversation goes on within, which the outward man does not interrupt. What is said of wisdom can also be said of this manner of prayer: “All good things accompany it.” Wisdom of Solomon 7:11. The virtues flow sweetly into the soul that practices them in such an easy manner that they seem natural to it. A seed or spirit of life and a fruitfulness springs up making the soul receptive to all that is good, and insensitive to all that is evil. Let the soul therefore faithfully persist in this state, and beware lest it seek after any other disposition whatsoever—only simple rest.