Quotes:Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Mothe

Zirkoff, Boris

Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Mothe. French quietist writer, b. at Montargis, April 13, 1648; d. near Blois, June 9, 1717. Attended various convent schools, and married, 1664, a rich invalid by the name of Guyon, who left her a considerable fortune. Her attraction towards the mystical life was due to a Father Lacombe, a Barnabite monk, whose reputation was none too good. They travelled together for some time in various French provinces, spreading their ideas. Lacombe was finally sent to the Bastille. Madame Guyon was arrested, 1688, but released through the efforts of the duchesse de Bethune, her old friend. Soon after, Mme. Guyon was introduced into the devout court-circle presided over by Mme. de Maintenon, and displayed there her eloquence. She was befriended by Fenelon. Her writings became a source of controversy and she appealed to Bossuet for a certificate of orthodoxy; although she obtained it, her relations with Bossuet became strained on account of her sudden departure without his leave; she was arrested and placed in the Bastille where she remained until 1703. She was set free on condition she would live on her son’s estate near Blois under the eye of a stem bishop. The rest of her life was spent in charitable and pious exercises. Her life and thoughts aroused in France and elsewhere both admiration and severe strictures. Her Complete Works appeared in 40 volumes in 1767-91.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 11, p. 577