What happens when we let go of our desire for a "beautiful" spiritual life? What if the path to divine union is not filled with mystical experiences or profound moments of peace but rather marked by emptiness, helplessness, and surrender? In this session, we sit down with author Michelle Jones to explore the wisdom of Ruth Burrows, a Carmelite spiritual writer whose insights have been compared to those of Julian of Norwich and Thérèse of Lisieux.

Michelle takes us deep into Burrows' teachings on spiritual poverty, mysticism, and divine union—offering myth-busting clarity on what it means to truly surrender to God. We discuss how Burrows challenges our desire to craft a “spiritually beautiful” life, warning us about the subtle trap of prioritizing our spiritual image over genuine surrender. We'll also explore Burrows’ view that mysticism has nothing to do with extraordinary experiences and everything to do with accepting our powerlessness.

If you’ve ever felt that your spiritual life is lacking because it isn’t filled with dramatic moments, this conversation might just offer the liberation you need.

Speaker bio: Michelle Jones lives a life of prayer in the foothills of the Porongurups - an ancient and sacred mountain range in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. She writes, edits and teaches in the field of Christian spirituality, with a particular focus on the Carmelite spiritual tradition. Michelle is the author of "The Gospel Mysticism of Ruth Burrows: Going to God with Empty Hands" (ICS Publications) and the editor of "Ruth Burrows: Essential Writings" (Orbis Books). She is currently writing a book on the spirituality of Sister Wendy Beckett (SPCK).