Santa Teresa de Jesús or simply Santa Teresa de Ávila (1515 - 1582) was a nun, founder of the Order of Discalced Carmelites - the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - mystical and Spanish writer. Canonized in 1614. She was proclaimed doctor of the Catholic Church in 1970 during the pontificate of Paul VI.

Together with Saint John of the Cross, it is considered the summit of Christian experimental mysticism and one of the great teachers of the spiritual life of the Church.

The Way of Perfection consists of a prologue and 42 chapters. In the first 26 chapters he gives several tips for progress in the contemplative life, (poverty, love of neighbor, humility, prayer). In the last 16 chapters, he makes a meditation on the words of the Lord's Prayer.