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Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte Guyon, known more simply as Madame Guyon, was a French mystic and one of the key advocates of Quietism, a spiritual movement that emphasized interior passivity and surrender to God's will. Born on April 13, 1648, in Montargis, France, she married a wealthy man at the age of 16 and, after being widowed at 28, devoted herself entirely to Christian mysticism and the inner life. Her most recognized work is 'The Autobiography of Madame Guyon' in which she recounts her spiritual journey. The depths of her contemplative experiences and her unorthodox views, however, aroused immense controversy, leading to charges of heresy and, eventually, her imprisonment from 1695 to 1703. Despite the persecution and suffering she faced, Madame Guyon continued to write and disseminate her thoughts, profoundly influencing future generations of Christians across denominational lines. Her writings are characterized by their warm, conversational tone and their uncompromising emphasis on complete surrender to God. Madame Guyon passed away on June 9, 1717, her legacy enduring through her extensive corpus of spiritual texts, letters, poems, and reflections. Her literary style has been praised for its evocative and affective quality, speaking directly to the soul's longing for divine unity. |
