Holy Daring: Conversations with St. Teresa, the Wild Woman of Avila

This fresh, upbeat, and deftly profound book joyfully reconnects the fullness of our lives and the depth of our prayer. Much more than yet another book about a great saint who once was, it actually rekindles something of St. Teresa’s outrageous spiritual impulse for contemporary readers, particularly those who describe themselves as “spiritual, not religious.” Tessa Bielecki shows how Teresa’s vibrant natural life was the foundation of her mystical one, then sympathetically explores the captivating sensuousness of her mystical growth. She presents Teresa’s “bridal mysticism”—a powerful approach to experiencing God as spouse—in a way that inspires both men and women, and concludes with practical advice on how the contemplative life ripens into “the ultimate ecstasy” through service in the world. This new edition of Holy Daring—revised and updated for new readers in honor of the 500th Anniversary of St. Teresa’s birth—will be an abiding source of inspiration to all who want a fuller, deeper, meaningful, and balanced life. “There is no better guide to Teresa of Avila’s spirituality than Tessa Bielecki … The accessibility of Tessa’s language makes Teresa’s life and work—her very being—relevant to those of us who want to answer the impulse to live a life that is both deeply human and holy.” — V. K. Harber, co-founder, Samdhana-Karana Yoga: A Healing Arts Center “Tessa’s deep intimacy with Teresa of Avila permeates this beautiful book and creates an invitational space for readers of any tradition (or none) to enter into their own transformational relationship with the ‘wild woman of Avila.’” — Mirabai Starr, translator of St. Teresa’s The Interior Castle and The Book of My Life, author of Caravan of No Despair and God of Love