St. Teresa of Avila
The Way of Perfection, 69, 1
And follow this advice does not come from me but from your Lord: try to walk in love and fear. I love you that you will press the pace, and that fear will make you watch where you put your feet to avoid falling. With these two things, it is certain that you can not go wrong.
471 St Gregory the Great
Homilies on Ezekiel, 2, 5
Until our mind will be dissipated in pictures carnal it will never be able to contemplate that it will be blinded by (...), so many obstacles and thoughts that agitate on all sides. Therefore, the first step to climb - so that the soul can contemplate the invisible nature of God - is the interior recollection.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
In "Edith Stein. The power of the Cross", New City, Montrouge 1999 (5th ed.) P. 56
I think in all cases is a very safe way of doing all it can to be emptied of everything and serve as a receptacle to divine grace.
