166–169 | Sayings recalled by María de Jesús

María de Jesús (de Solís y Mendoza) was prioress in the Carmelite community of Seville. She recorded these sayings in a manuscript now in the Biblioteca Nacional in Madrid. See Pacho (1997: 40).

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166. Levantarse sobre sí, no hacer asiento en cosa en nada.

Rise above yourself;

seek rest in nothing at all.

167. Estar vuelta contra sí, airada y jamás parada.

Be a foe to yourself,

irascible and never pausing.

168. Huir con el pensamiento de cabe ellas, cerrando la puerta a todas.

Flee from their company in your thoughts,

closing the door on them all.

169. Limpio de todas aficiones, pensamientos e imágenes, el dulce canto suspires con compunción y lágrimas.

Cleansed of all attachments, thoughts and images,

release your sweet song

with compunction and tears.

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