summary of interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

Introduction

Interior castle was written by St. Teresa of Avila amidst ill health that besiege her at that time and the problems of the noise in her head and the sort of troubles between the superiors and the nuns. However, the book was completed in four weeks in conjunctions with the command of her spiritual leaders. It has to do with the soul on journey to the seven mansions in search of God.

First Mansion

Here she lays emphasis on the importance of prayer when she said that a soul without prayer are like bodies palsied and lame having hands and feet they cannot use. The souls here a so much attached to the worldly things which form the reptile that distracts them not minding that they are in the state of grace. This is because they are capable of living and communicating with God and unless they understand their plight they cannot move on with God. She then identifies the gate to this castle to be prayer and meditation which we must enter through humility and perseverance.

Second Mansion

In the second mansion the soul now begins to recognize itself as being in charge. It is now able to recognize the voice of God calling which becomes clearer as the time goes on. The soul is able to identify this voice in the words of the teachers, friends and in the very act of study. Here also, the soul realizes the effect of being in mortal sin and then through grace is able to escape it. The enemy in here launches a fierce attack on the soul trying to deceive and pull it back into the world which is very dangerous as she said that the soul that loves danger shall perish by it.  The only way out of this is surrendering to the will and calling of God and the only defense against those attacks and prayer she warns must not be neglected.

Third Mansion

In the third mansion she identifies the fear of God as one of that which is necessary for the growth of the soul. It is through this that the soul moves beyond listening and understanding to doing the things that will lead her to the likeness of her God. She identifies the characteristic of those in this mansion as love for penance, charity, meditations, good dressing and conversations. She equally stresses on the importance of obedience to the will of God. God gives consolation of peace and resignation which make the soul happier than are others with sensible devotion. These consolations are give by God to the weakest souls.

Fourth Mansion

In the fourth mansion the souls here are becoming closer to God and experiencing the supernatural. This mansion is closer to the kings dwelling and are very beautiful, and so subtle are things seen and heard in them. Here, she introduces the “Prayer of Quiet”- when the soul sits without speaking in the presence of God and listens for him to speak and the “Prayer of Recollection”-when the soul remembers and rebuilds the place where it can go to pray and has control over the senses. Here, the supernatural and the natural meet. And since the soul is liable to relapse having not yet received the highest gifts of the spirit, she advice us ‘not to think much but to love much. 

Fifth Mansion

In the fifth the soul experiences the “Prayer of Union.” This is a state in which the soul is completely withdrawn from the senses and is in union with the creator. The evil one here has no ability to distract or harm the soul. This spiritual union being a mystery, when it happens is unmistakeable. Teresa here uses the famous analogy of the silkworm. This mansion marks a new magnitude of contemplation. It is of short duration but while it lasts, the soul is completely possessed by God.

Sixth Mansion

At the stage of the sixth mansion the soul is socked in the love of its master and so much longs for nothing but to dwell in solitude with him. As this love grows so also grows the pains and affliction of this soul. The soul encounters problems that seem to be insurmountable. Prayer seems to offer no remedy at this particular point in time. However, his grace of helps the soul to grow in intimacy with him despite such afflictions.

Seventh Mansion

Finally the Lord is pleased to have pity for the hardship endured both present and past. He accepts the soul and is spiritually married to this soul that has so much longed for him. Here, the soul in this mansion has no other function but to pray for the souls that are in sin. This is due to the fact they know what they themselves has pasted through. In this stage the unity of such a soul t the trinity makes they soul like God.

Conclusion

In conclusion we discover that the journey to holiness of life is not a child’s play, we have to build a strong foundation in the lord who have come to serve amidst troubles and tribulations. At times, it seems as if prayer still has no solution but then we must learn to follow our master in humility, fear, faith and good works. It is also quite evident according to this writing that we can only measure or see ourselves as succeeding when the going is tough. It is only then that we can be married to our creator and enjoy His everlasting presence within us.