The central teachings of Spanish mystic, John of the Cross, namely on the importance of love as the goal of life. God's inner life is one of love, the created world is God's work of love and our lives are surrounded by God's invitations to love. John's writings proclaim the centrality of love in spiritual growth: The Ascent of Mount Carmel teaches us how to prepare for a life of love, The Spiritual Canticle reveals the thrill and excitement of the journey of two lovers, The Dark Night calls us to have the courage to accept the pain of love, and The Living Flame describes what it is like to be immersed in love. Even many of John's shorter works of prose and poetry invite readers to be lost in love.