Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Psychological understanding of the Scriptures -- Mystics' ways of understanding the Scriptures -- Secrets of mystical life -- Different forms or stages of prayer -- Prayer in general -- Meditative prayer -- Discursive mental prayer -- Affective mental prayer -- Contemplative mental prayer -- Studies by medical science and transpersonal psychology -- A much shorter version -- Brain hemisphere studies and meditation -- Study of the central nervous system -- Psychological studies on levels of being -- Concentration versus relaxation -- Mystical meaning and mystics -- Literal, moral, allegorical, and unitive meaning -- Contemplative meditation leading to the unitive level -- St. Francis of Assisi -- St. Catherine of Siena -- St. Ignatius of Loyola -- St. Teresa of Avila -- St. John of the Cross -- Mortification of the appetites -- The journey of faith -- The dark night and the communication of God -- Implications for insightful scriptural reflections -- A word of caution -- It is not about doing it right -- You will be hated because of my name : love your enemies -- The blind man was spiritually able to see Jesus even before being restored -- More will be given to the one who has more -- The criminal who believed in God dying by his side -- A Gentile had more faith than all of Israel -- Judge not and you will not be judged -- The invisible is present in the visible -- Blessed are the poor and the not so poor -- Our hearts will not rest until they rest in God -- Grateful means transformation within and without -- Last judgment has already begun -- Forgive in order to be forgiven -- The kingdom of God is more about generosity than justice -- God loves us not out of justice but mercy and generosity -- Believers can reject God through resistances -- Acting with mercy is more important than doing it right -- Believers can be paying lip service to God -- Earthly matters are not so significant as heavenly ones -- Law means love -- What we say and do versus who we are -- It is more about being rather than about earning -- Watchful means embrace uncertainties -- Be open-minded, nonjudgmental, and unprejudiced -- Living in the now -- For nothing will be impossible for God -- God is not at the top but at the bottom -- Even believers will have to search for God -- Suffering and humiliation will lead to a now-resurrection -- Faith is more important than healing -- Forgiveness is as unconditional as love -- The kingdom of heaven is in your cross.

Description based on print version record.