Interior Castle (Thrift Editions)

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When Luis de Leon undertook the editing of St. Teresa's writings he received a long letter from Don Diego de Yepes, afterwards Bishop of Tarazona, a former friend and confessor of the Saint, in which he records his personal recollections. I shall only insert here what he says about the Interior Castle:

The Interior Castle: Study Edition - Google Books

The French Carmelite nuns in their new translation, Œuvres complètes de Sainte Thérèse, t. vi, Introduction, p. 5, quoting the Año Teresiano, t. vii ad 7 July, and Father Gracian's Dilucidario, as well as his additions to Ribera, show the exact share of Fr. Gracian and Dr. Velasquez in the preliminaries of this work. Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada was born at Avila, Old Castile, 28 March, 1515; died at Alba de Tormes, 4 Oct., 1582. As the diamond reflects eternal love so His Majesty residing in the inner chamber of the seventh mansion is the Eternal Love drawing the soul into this inner sanctum of His abiding presence where it is transfigured and rests in God through the spiritual marriage. In this community of divine love is expressed also one’s love of neighbor. As often as I read the books of the holy Mother, I admire the wonderful manner in which God instructed her in mystical theology for the sake of souls giving themselves truly to familiar intercourse with His divine Majesty. But where I most regret my inability of expressing in fitting terms my sentiments towards this excellent teacher is when I look at, and refresh myself in that Castle with its seven rooms; for there is seen the effect of infused knowledge such as St. Denis received from St. Hierotheus 20 and both from St. Paul, and which has been committed to writing in the famous book of Mystical Theology. Hence comes, as from a fountain-head, notwithstanding the obscurity (to our manner of thinking) of its language, the doctrine of the great masters of the spiritual life such as Hugh of St. Victor, St. Bernard, Ruysbroek, Tauler, Gerson, and many others whom I pass by.

Another nun, Mary of St. Francis, left the following declaration: 'I know that our holy Mother wrote four books, the Life, the Way of Perfection, the Foundations, and the Mansions, which I have seen her writing. Once, while she was composing the last-named work, I entered to deliver a message, and found her so absorbed that she did not notice me; her face seemed quite illuminated and most beautiful. After having listened to me she said: "Sit down, my child, and let me write what our Lord has told me ere I forget it," and she went on writing with great rapidity and without stopping.' 6 Animae in hac tertia mansione operam dant ut peccata etiam venialia evitent. Bene utuntur suo tempore, in memoria ducunt horas, et desiderant poenitentiam. Caritatem etiam erga proximos exercere pergunt. Secondly, she was greatly surprised at the malice of sin, since, notwithstanding the presence of God in these various ways, it prevents the soul from partaking of that powerful light.

The Interior Castle: Teresa of Avila, Mirabai Starr

Teresa's main analogy, of the soul as a crystal castle with God dwelling at the center, is very powerful. Teresa frequently advises her nuns to know themselves. That is her most important practical advice. She insists that without self-knowledge and the resulting humility, it is not possible to make progress in prayer. But, the world still appears attractive. The soul clings to its belongings and to what other people think about it. Allusion to the famous Mystical Theology attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite, and long considered the chief authority on this subject. Mines are places of darkness and messiness and a skilled miner must have a trained eye to recognize the mineral he is seeking. It is hard work and if it is to be successful the miner must be disciplined and persevering.

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Since we are made in the image and likeness of God she revisits this comparison again in Chapter One of the First Mansions of the Interior Castle, commenting on the dignity and beauty of the soul,

The Interior Castle or The Mansions The Interior Castle or The Mansions

Comprehensive indexes of key themes and figures, castle imagery, and biblical references make this volume an indispensable reference resource.

An unexpected taste of the 4th Mansion begins in the 3rd. James Finley shares ‘state of absorption’ examples in 4th Mansion experiences. She told me this vision on the same day, for in this as well as in other things she was so communicative that on the following morning she said to me: "How I forgot myself yesterday! I cannot think how it could have happened. Those high aspirations of mine, and the affection I have for you must have caused me to go beyond all reasonable you must not build upon foundations of prayer and contemplation alone, for, unless you strive after the virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.” Recognize how good the created world is. Seeing the Creator and His beauty in the world should replace attachments.