in 'the varieties of religious experience' i was surprised to read james say of saint teresa:

"apart from helping younger nuns .. by the inspiration of her example and instruction .. there is absolutely no human use in her"

as if inspiring others has little value

and i detected a jealousy in the putdown of the  "endless amatory flirtation .. between the devotee and the deity"

*

don't get me wrong i love willliam james and the book but this is .. after all .. the seventh circle