Three Ways (Purgation, Illumination, Union)
The soul's ascent in three stages: cleansed of sin, lit in virtue, joined to God
The Three Ways describe the classic stages of the spiritual life: purgation, the cleansing from sin; illumination, growth in virtue and knowledge of God; and union, the soul's deep communion with God. The framework draws on Pseudo-Dionysius and was developed in later Western mystical theology. It offers a map of the journey toward God, marking progress not as a single moment but as a lifelong ascent.
How it traveled
- The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-XMarseille · 435explains
- The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal FaultsMarseille · 435explains
Key passages(20)
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part II. Containing Conferences XI-XVII · John Cassian
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul · Thomas à Kempis
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul · Thomas à Kempis
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul · Thomas à Kempis
The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults · John Cassian
Ephraim Syrus: The Nisibene Hymns · Ephrem the Syrian
On Christian Doctrine · Augustine of Hippo
Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount · Augustine of Hippo
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults · John Cassian
Narrative of Surprising Conversions · Jonathan Edwards
Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen · Gregory of Nazianzus
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part II. Containing Conferences XI-XVII · John Cassian
Internal Consolation · Thomas à Kempis