This work is a translation of St. Teresa's autobiographical account of her life, which has been compared with the original autograph text and reedited with additional notes and introduction by Benedict Zimmerman. St. Teresa was commanded and left at liberty to describe at length her way of prayer, and the workings of the grace of our Lord within her. She wished at the same time to be allowed to speak distinctly and in detail of her grievous sins and wicked life, but it was not so willed.