St. Teresa of Avila on not being judgemental of others’ prayer styles.

In Chapter 17 of Way of Perfection, St. Teresa de Jesus discusses quite extensively the need for interior prayer–the theme of the book. However, she says we should never look down on “vocal prayer,” nor should we look down on those who never rise above the level of simple devotions. A person who is humble and charitable, yet never goes beyond vocal prayer, is just as spiritually perfect as one who is given the gift of contemplation.