Chapter I Mental Prayer 5I. Mental Prayer is Morally Necessary for SalvationIt Enlightens the Mind 5It Disposes the Heart to the Practice of Virtues 6It Helps Us to Pray as We Should 8II. Mental Prayer is Indispensable in Order to Attain Perfection 10III. The Ends of Mental Prayer 14To Unite Ourselves to God 14To Obtain Grace from God 16We Ought not to Seek in Mental Prayer Spiritual Consolations 17IV. Principal Subjects of Meditation 18V. The Place and the Time Suitable for Meditation 20VI. Manner of Making Mental Prayer 24Preparation 24The Meditation 26The Conclusion 31VII. Distractions and Aridities 32Chapter II The Exercise of a Retreat 36Advantages of the Spiritual Exercises Made in RetreatLetter to a Young Man Who is Deliberating on the Choice of a State of Life 36Hymn: Invitation to Solitude 51Meditations for a Private Retreat of Eight Days 52Introduction 52The Importance of Salvation 54The Vanity of the World 61Our Journey to Eternity 68Sin 76Death 83Judgment 93Remorse of the Christians in Hell 99Love for Jesus Crucified 104Hymn: To God the Creator 108Various Practices 109Rules for Leading a Good Life 109Devout Acts to be Made Every Day 111Spiritual Maxims for a Christian 113An Epitome of the Virtues of Which the Christian Soul that Desires to Lead a Perfect Life and Become a Saint Should Exercise Itself 117Appendix 133 The Manner of Making a Retreat 133