The Spiritual Guide

of Miguel de Molinos (1675)


Update 2010

Many years ago, in my readings about meditation and the Christian contemplative tradition, I would see frequent mention of Michael Molinos, a medieval Catholic priest, and his book, The Spiritual Guide. At the time, however, I could find no complete copy of his book.

Molinos is a fascinating figure. Says one website: "So powerful was its influence on Europe that within 6 years of its release this book had been translated into every language in Western Europe. In Naples, Italy it was said that 20,000 Christians gathered in small groups to practice inward prayer. Michael Molinos came closer to reforming the Catholic Church than any other single man in history, yet he ended up sealed in a dungeon, his book condemned. A man so controversial that even until today the Vatican will not release the transcript of his (secret) trial."

I could find no complete edition of his famous book, so in 1997 I obtained a printout of a microfilm copy of a 1688 English edition, transcribed it, posted it on the Internet, and uploaded it to the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

Over the years I've recieved some complimentary emails about the transcription A few years ago Mrs. M. R. Pajas kindly sent corrections for a few typos. The corrections laid upon my desk for some time. Recently, I incorporated the corrections into a new downloadable PDF file, available HERE. The new PDF is in 6*9 inch format.

I'm also making a paper copy of the PDF file available from CreateSpace. If you're interested, go to https://www.createspace.com/3475228.

I expect to have a Kindle version available soon.


Here are some more links about Molinos and his book.

  • An article on Informal History of the Christian Contemplative Tradition has info about Molinos. Click here.

  • An article on Quietism in The Catholic Encyclopedia, here, mentions Molinos and Quietism, the sin for which the Church condemned him, unjustly some believe.

  • A chapter from FOX's BOOK of MARTYRS, edited by William Byron Forbush, which discusses the life of Molinos is available here. (The Molinos section is at the end of the chapter.)

  • An abbreviated version of The Spiritual Guide in modern English is available from

         The Seedsowers

         Christian Books Publishing House

         P.O. Box 285

         Sargent, GA 30275

         The book has an interesting article on The Life and Times of Michael Molinos and is inexpensive.

  • For other online Christian classics at Christian Classics Ethereal Library click here.

  • And HERE is the original 1997 transcription.