Division of the states or ways

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Can someone please explain the different divisions of the states or ways to me?

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Thank you, that article is why I posted my question hehe. I don’t quite follow it exactly, I kind of get it but would like if someone could explain in simpiler terms, perhaps with examples… :o
 
jmfiore said:
Thank you, that article is why I posted my question hehe. I don’t quite follow it exactly, I kind of get it but would like if someone could explain in simpiler terms, perhaps with examples… :o
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Simply…we begin in the purgative state*…*The purgative way
The purgative way is the way, or state, of those who are beginners, that is, those who have obtained justification, but have not their passions and evil inclinations in such a state of subjugation that they can easily overcome temptations, and who, in order to preserve and exercise charity and the other virtues have to keep up a continual warfare within themselves…In a word, the distinctive notes of this state are war against those temptations which entice the soul to sin by the attraction of pleasures of the senses and the natural shrinking from pain; and repugnance to acts known to be contrary to the will of God. The characteristic virtue of this state is humility, by which the soul is made sensible of its own weakness and its dependence upon the succours of the grace of God. *

This is our struggle…and the fruit of that struggle is…

Then as we grow in Christ…we progress to the** illuminative way**I]…The illuminative way is that of those who are in the state of progress and have their passions better under control, so that they easily keep themselves from mortal sin, but who do not so easily avoid venial sins, because they still take pleasure in earthly things and allow their minds to be distracted by various imaginations and their hearts with numberless desires, though not in matters that are strictly unlawful. It is called the illuminative way, because in it the mind becomes more and more enlightened as to spiritual things and the practice of virtue. In this grade charity is stronger and more perfect than in the state of beginners;*

Then the way of the saints…I would say…who have their wills united to the Lord…The unitive way
The unitive way is the way of those who are in the state of the perfect, that is, those who have their minds so drawn away from all temporal things that they enjoy great peace, who are neither agitated by various desires nor moved by any great extent by passion, and who have their minds chiefly fixed on God and their attention turned, either always or very frequently, to Him. It is the union with God by love and the actual experience and exercise of that love. It is called the state of “perfect charity”, because souls who have reached that state are ever prompt in the exercise of charity by loving God habitually and by frequent and efficacious acts of that Divine virtue. It is called the “unitive” way because it is by love that the soul is united to God, and the more perfect the charity, the closer and more intimate is the union.
 
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