Although we cannot measure the spiritual journey, there are stages that we can identify and that help us to persevere and understand what is happening to us. In these insightful talks Laurence Freeman uses a series of medieval statues from the Cathedral at Chartres to illustrate this journey in a strikingly personal and contemporary way. The symbol of the book can be seen as the heart itself, opening in stages to spiritual knowledge that leads to progressive transformation in love. By linking these stages to the practice of meditation Laurence Freeman brings this ancient wisdom alive in our daily experience. 

These talks were given at a weeklong silent retreat at Monte Oliveto, Italy, in June 2012.