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Molinos

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Molinos

Miguel de Molinos. Founder of Quietism, born at Muniesa, Spain, 21 December, 1640 e.v.; died at Rome, 28 December, 1696 e.v.

Molinos was a Catholic priest, having been ordained in his youth and given a benifice at Santo Tomas. He eventually became confessor of a group of nuns at Sant Alfonso. It was during this period when he published his *Spiritual Guide*, the main document of Quietism.

Quietism (Lat. *quies*, *quietus*, passivity) in the broadest sense is the doctrine which declares that man’s highest perfection consists in a sort of psychical self-annihilation and a consequent absorption of the soul into the Divine Essence even during the present life. In the state of “quietude” the mind is wholly inactive; it no longer thinks or wills on its own account, but remains passive while God acts within it.

Miguel de Molinos was declared a dogmatic heretic, sentenced to life imprisonment after a bull by Pope Innocent XI declared as heresy his *Spiritual Guide*, and died in 1696. Many of his Quietistic teachings found their way into Thelema. His *Spiritual Guide* is a recommended text for preparation of the Student level of the A.’.A.’..

References

  • [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10441a.htm](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10441a.htm) Molinos, Miguel de. The Catholic Encyclopedia.
  • [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12608c.htm](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12608c.htm) Quietism. The Catholic Encyclopedia.
  • [http://www.adamford.com/molinos/](http://www.adamford.com/molinos/) A downloadable text of the *Spiritual Guide*.