Discussion: Mansion 6 - Ch 3 - The Interior Castle - The Mansions - St. Teresa of Avila - Teresa of Jesus

The Interior Castle  or  The Mansions                      S. Teresa of Jesus          of the Order of our Lady of Carmel                             St. Teresa of Avila         Discussion of  Mansion 6 - Chapter 3

Discussion   PART   1          █  INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER 3         The Editor explains the various kinds                  of Vision and Locution:         Corporal,  Imaginary,  and Intellectual                                         ▀  CORPOREAL             The senses function normally             while the object is supernatural:             "only apparant";  an apparition                          [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3: # I ]             ■  Corporal Vision             ■  Corporal Locution                   ___________________       ▀  IMAGINARY            The senses are bypassed.      (eyes, ears,  etc.)            The object is presented directly                 to the Imagination supernaturally.            Normally, "The Imagination                    stands half-way                between the senses and the intellect".               The Imagination                  "receiv(es) impressions from the senses                    and                  transmit(s) them to the intellect."                        [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3: # II ]                       Here, 'Imaginary' does not mean 'pretend'                or 'make-believe'             ■   An Imaginary Vision               ■   An Imaginary  Locution              ■   Imaginary Visions and Locutions                      are dangerous                ■  Imaginary Visions and Locutions                       are not Hallucinations                     _______________________       ▀  INTELLECTUAL             The senses are bypassed.  (eyes, ears,  etc.)            The Imagination and memory are bypassed.            The object is presented directly                 to the Intellect supernaturally.             ■   An Intellectual Vision               ■   An Intellectual  Locution                ■   Why they are far less dangerous                    than Corporal or Imaginary                     Visions and Locutions           ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░   PART  2   DISCUSSION OF  MANSION 6 - CHAPTER 3   █ Continuation from the previous chapter        on the 'Operations of Love'       which God may bestow on those         whom He leads to the Sixth Mansions      ( How "God arouses the soul" to Love )       "...that it may be some guide to those             who may experience such favours."   █  Locutions received by the Faculty            of the Imagination      █  The Signs Distinguishing:            • the Source of  Locutions                       and           • When these Locutions are Dangerous       ▀  Genuine Locutions: Their Signs                ▀  Locutions derived from one's self       ▀  Locutions derived from the devil   █  St. Teresa's Advice regarding Locutions        ▀ St. Teresa's General Recommendations               Regarding Locutions      ▀ Particular Advice regarding locutions               that disagree with Holy Scripture        ▀ Particular Advice                for those receiving  helpful locutions       ▀ Particular Advice for those whose locutions               were discerned to be  Genuine           ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░  █  Interior ( Intellectual)    Locutions  █  The Signs of Genuine Interior Locutions       ▀ The First Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions      ▀ The Second Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions      ▀ The Third Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions      ▀ The Fourth Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions      ▀ The Fifth Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions       ▀ Additional Proof:              The Fruits of Genuine Locutions          ■ Humility           ■ Detachment from self:   Attachment to God          ■ Conformity with the Will of God       ▀  Additional Characteristics               of  Genuine Locutions          ■ The soul can not avoid listening            ■ The soul can not distract its attention                    away from the locutions     ▀  Discernment regarding Interior Locutions:           ■ Self-deception: One's Imagination           ■ Deception by the devil

 █  INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER 3

       The Editor explains the various kinds

                 of Vision and Locution: 

       Corporal,  Imaginary,  and Intellectual 

  

      ▀  CORPOREAL 

            The senses function normally

            while the object is supernatural:

            "only apparant";  an apparition

                         [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3: # I ]

            ■  Corporal Vision

       

Corporal Vision	Normal vision
When one sees a bodily object.	e.g. one sees a person
The eyes are exercising     their normal function,	Eyes are exercising   their normal function,
The object seen is    either only apparent    or  is not such as it seems to be.	The person seen   is  real
e.g.  Tobias' companion, Azarias,   was not a real human being,  but an archangel in human form.  Tobias did really see and hear him, the archangel made himself visible  by means of an assumed body,  or perhaps an apparent body It would be more correct    to describe such a phenomenon            as an APPARITION  than as a Vision,
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3       By The Editor":   #I: Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3

    ■  Corporal Locution 

  

Corporal Locution	Normal vision
When one hears words uttered	e.g. one hears words    spoken by another
The ears are exercising  their normal function,	Ears are exercising  their normal function,
The object heard is    either only apparent    or  is not such as it seems to be.	"The words perceived  come from a real tongue"
e.g.  Tobias' companion, Azarias,   was not a real human being,  but an archangel in human form.  Tobias did really see and hear him, the archangel made himself audible  by means of an assumed body,  or perhaps an apparent body It would be more correct    to describe such a phenomenon            as an APPARITION  than as a Vision or locution
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3       By The Editor":   #I: Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3

          ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

     ▀  IMAGINARY

           The senses are bypassed.      (eyes, ears,  etc.)

           The object is presented directly 

               to the Imagination supernaturally.

           Normally, "The Imagination stands half-way 

                   between the senses and the intellect"

              The Imagination  

               "receiv(es) impressions from the senses

                   and  

                transmit(s) them to the intellect."

                               [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3:#II ]

       

              Here, 'Imaginary' does not mean 'pretend'

               or 'make-believe'.

            ■   An Imaginary Vision  

Imaginary Vision	Normal Vision
Nothing is seen    by the sense of seeing	An object seen by the eyes,   the sense of seeing
The   imagination receives  the impression   "from an extraneous power     (good or evil)"   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "The  impression received    is the same  that would be produced    upon the imagination  by the senses   if some real object were perceived      by the senses."	The   imagination receives     the impression  from the senses
The imagination transmits them     to the intellect	The imagination transmits    them to the intellect
The object is something   " which the memory             neither has             nor ever has        had cognizance." But "the Imagination   is closely connected      with the Memory,  so that it is frequently impossible      to ascertain whether a Vision  is not perhaps a semi-conscious   or unconscious reproduction       of scenes witnessed"
e.g.  Imaginary Visions   "St. Stephen, who saw      the heavens opened,                       and     the Son of Man standing      on the right hand of God"
These Visions      are not hallucinations. Hallucinations are due to physical disorder which   - affects the memory                  and   - causes it to represent impressions  formerly received by it,   in a disorderly and  often grotesque manner.
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3   By The Editor":  # II: Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

Imaginary Vision

Any image, form, figure and species.

Represented to the imagination supernaturally

Without any assistance of the outward senses.

thus present(ed)...to the understanding,  whereupon the understanding        considers them and judges them.

[ Ascent of Mt Carmel: Bk2:     Ch. 16: #2    St. John of the Cross    Translation: E.A. Peers ]

            ■   An Imaginary  Locution 

Imaginary Locution	Normal (natural) Hearing
Nothing is heard by the senses of hearing	A sound heard by the ears,   the sense of hearing
The   imagination receives  the impression   "from an extraneous power     (good or evil)"   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "The  impression received       is the same  that would be produced  upon the imagination       by the senses if some real object were perceived      by the senses."	The   imagination receives     the sound impression  from the senses
The imagination transmits them     to the intellect	The imagination transmits    them to the intellect
The object is something   " which the memory             neither has             nor ever has        had cognizance." But "the Imagination   is closely connected      with the Memory,  so that it is frequently    impossible to ascertain whether a Vision  is not perhaps a semi-conscious   or unconscious reproduction       of scenes witnessed"
e.g.  Imaginary Locutions  "St. Peter, who saw            the heaven opened... and    there came a voice to him:           'Arise, Peter...'    (Acts, vii. 55; X. 11-13)"
These Locutions     are not hallucinations. Hallucinations are due to physical disorder  which   - affects the memory                  and   - causes it to represent        impressions     formerly received by it,         in a disorderly and        often grotesque manner.
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3   By The Editor":  # II: Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3 ]

■  Imaginary Visions and Locutions

     are dangerous

     "...the reason 

      why Imaginary Visions and Locutions

          are so dangerous" is because 

          there is a  great risk of  being deceived:

     Frequently one can not distinguish their source;

      
      whether it is 
          an Imaginary Vision from God 

                        or 
          a deception 

               from the devil 

                        or

               from one's own self .

     "Deception ...is to be feared."

       ◦ "self-deception: willful or unwillful"

             "the Imagination is closely connected 

                  with the Memory, 

               so that it is frequently impossible to ascertain
               whether a Vision, etc., 

                   is not perhaps 

                       a semi-conscious or unconscious 

                       reproduction of scenes witnessed. "

       ◦ "deception by a higher agency" ( the devil)

                         [ "Introductory Note To Chapter 3

                             By The Editor": # II:

                             Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

      ▪  Not to be trusted or sought 

          "Hence, the general rule (is) 

            that such Visions or Locutions

                   should only be trusted 

             upon the strongest grounds."

          "...according to 

          St. Teresa, St. John of the Cross,

               and other spiritual writers, 

          they should 

                not only never be sought for,

                but, as much as possible, shunned 

           and under all circumstances

               discountenanced."

                            [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3

                               By The Editor": # II:

                               Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3 ]

■  Imaginary Visions and Locutions 

        are not Hallucinations

        "These Visions, Locutions, etc., 

               are not hallucinations. 

         Hallucinations  

           "are due to physical disorder which 

              - affects the memory 

                          and 

              - causes it to represent impressions 

                     formerly received by it, 

                 in a disorderly and often grotesque manner. 

        ▪ An Imaginary Vision is not the product

            of  illness, stored memories, or active thought.

         The Imaginary Vision 

             - "takes place independently 

                   of a morbid state, 

             - is caused by an extraneous power, 

                   good or evil, 

                         and

             - has for its object, 

                  things of which the memory 

                        neither has 

                        nor ever has

                  had cognizance."

                         [ "Introductory Note To Chapter 3

                             By The Editor": # II:

                             Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

         ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

      ▀  INTELLECTUAL 

           The senses are bypassed.      (eyes, ears,  etc.)

           The Imagination and memory are bypassed.

           The object is presented directly 

               to the Intellect supernaturally.

            ■   An Intellectual Vision  

INTELLECTUAL VISION	A Natural Vision
Nothing is seen or heard   by the eyes or ears	is seen by the eyes, by the sense of sight
No sensation is received   by the imagination.	The visual Sensation is  received  by the imagination (from the senses) ( treasured up in the memory,    ...available at demand )
The impression is directly imprinted    upon the intellect	The impression...delivered  by the imagination  to the intellect,
(without co-operation     on the part of   the senses,   the imagination,              or   the memory )	The senses, imagination, and memory are all involved.
The impression is  too exalted for the memory     to receive it,  so that such Visions are      frequently  only imperfectly remembered  and sometimes      altogether forgotten
An instance of such a vision     is mentioned by St. Paul:  "I know a man in Christ          (whether in the body,                I know not,          or out of the body                I know not…)   such an one rapt      even to the third heaven...   he was caught up into paradise       (2 Cor. xii. 2-4)."
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3       By The Editor":  # III:  Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

            ■   An Intellectual  Locution

INTELLECTUAL Locution	A Natural Sound
Nothing is seen or heard   by the eyes or ears	is heard by the ears, by the sense of hearing
No sensation is received   by the imagination.	The audible sensation  is received  by the imagination   (from the senses) ( treasured up in the memory,    ...available at demand )
The impression is directly imprinted    upon the intellect	The impression...delivered    by the imagination    to the intellect,
(without co-operation     on the part of   the senses,   the imagination,              or   the memory )	The senses, imagination, and memory are all involved.
The impression is  too exalted for the memory     to receive it,  so that such impressions are      frequently  only imperfectly remembered  and sometimes      altogether forgotten
An instance of such a locution    is mentioned by St. Paul:  '...he was caught up into paradise,     and heard secret words,   which it is not granted to man     to utter'      (2 Cor. xii. 2-4)."
"Introductory Note To Chapter 3       By The Editor":  # III:  Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

■  Why Intellectual Visions or Locutions

      are far less dangerous 

        than Corporal or Imaginary Visions 

            and Locutions, 

      "they are far less dangerous 

        than Corporal or Imaginary 

            Visions and Locutions, 

       because 

         - the senses and imagination 

               have nothing to do with them, 

        - whilst evil spirits are unable 

                to act directly upon the mind, 

                       and

        - self-deception is altogether excluded 

                for the reasons stated by St. Teresa. 

                (See Mansion 6: Ch. 3 )

  

                          [ Introductory Note To Chapter 3

                             By The Editor": # III:

                             Interior Castle: Mansion 6:  Ch. 3 ]

        _______________________________

     

PART  2  DISCUSSION OF  MANSION 6 - CHAPTER 3   █ Continuation from the previous chapter        on the 'Operations of Love'       which may God may bestow on those         whom He leads to the Sixth Mansions      (  How "God arouses the soul" to Love )                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #1]    "...that it may be some guide to those           who may experience such favours."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #27]  █  Locutions Received by the Faculty            of the Imagination     ▪  are "...another manner" in which              God arouses the soul"      ▪  "by means of words addressed to the soul                in many different ways"     ▪  Location or Direction of the sound        "Sometimes (speech/ words) appear to come                from without;          At other times                from the inner depths of the soul;          or again,               from its superior part;         while other speeches are                so exterior          as to be heard by the ears                like a real voice."                       [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #1]     ▪  "apparently a greater favour                than the above mentioned"                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #1]            (In the previous chapter, St. Teresa described              The Call of the Bridegroom and                The Wound of Love. - Mansion 6: Ch. 2)     ▪ "yet may prove more dangerous"                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #1]     ▪ Source of the Locutions                         "may come either from:             ◦ God"                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #4]                    "They say that communications...                           in this mansion,                       are not uttered directly by God                            but are transmitted by an angel.                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #10]            ◦ "the devil,                 or             ◦ the imagination."                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #4]

  

█  The Signs Distinguishing:             • the Source of  Locutions                       and           • When these Locutions are Dangerous        ▀  Signs of Genuine Locutions             ▪ Location source of the sound                        is not important                   "whether these communications come                        from the inferior or the superior part                                   of the soul,                                   or                        from without,                  does not affect their originating from God."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #6]         "...these are the most certain signs                  of their being divine.             ■  The first and truest is                      the power and authority                  they carry with them,                   for these words are operative.            [241]                   For example:                  a soul is suffering...sorrow and disquiet...                          but it is                     set at peace...and filled with light                  merely by hearing the words:                     'Be not troubled.'                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #7]            ■  The Second sign of Genuine Locutions                                   (  of their being divine)                  "The second sign is                     - a great calm                                and                      - a devout and peaceful recollection                              which dwell in the soul                               together with                      - a desire to praise God.                              [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #10]            ■  The Third sign of Genuine Locutions                      (  of their being divine)                  "The third proof  is                   that these words                       do not pass from the memory                        but remain there for a very long time;                    Sometimes they are never forgotten."                   While "what men may utter...                        is not thus impressed on our memory."                  "if they prophesy of things to come...                    these divine locutions...                     leave us so convinced of their truth                     that, although their fulfilment                          sometimes seems utterly impossible                               and                          we vacillate and doubt about them,                     there still remains in the soul                           a certainty of their verity                     which cannot be destroyed.                     Perhaps everything may seem to militate                    against what was heard and years pass by,                     yet the spirit never loses its belief                        - that God will make use                             of means unknown to men                           for the purpose                                      and                       - that finally what was foretold                             must surely happen;                           as indeed it does."                                                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #11]                 "The words, their effects, and the assurance                       they carry with them,                   convinced the soul at the moment                        that they came from God."                 ▪ But the  devil sows doubt                    "Afterwards, however, doubts arise                       as to whether the locutions came                          from the devil                                    or                           from the imagination...                       these misgivings must be suggested                        by the evil one                    to afflict and intimidate her,                             especially                   if by carrying out a command thus given                      great good will result                           to souls                                     and ...                           to the honour and service of God...                   At (the very) least,                        he weakens faith,                                 and                        it is a terrible evil to doubt                             that God has power to work in a way                             far beyond our understanding.                              [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #12]              "yet there remains so lively                       a spark of certainty in the mind...                   that...it cannot...quench                       this ardent spark of confidence.                               [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #13]           ▪ Joy at seeing God's words verified             "...the soul is so satisfied and joyful                   that it can do nothing                       but praise His Majesty              more because it sees                   His words prove true               than on account of the thing itself,                               [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #13]               Although this success may entail                    great suffering on herself,                she prefers it to the nonfulfilment                    of what she knows                our Lord most certainly foretold.                                [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #15]        ▀  Locutions derived from one's  self             Deception can occur by one's self,                  illness, or the weakness of human nature.             "very often, this may be only a fancy"             Occurring often in those                 - "of a lively imagination                            or                - who are afflicted with melancholy                      to any marked extent."                                 [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]             "in some cases...on account of                 ◦ a very weak constitution                       or                 ◦ vivid imagination...              while absorbed in...prayer...              they....in a sort of dream,                 fancy they                       are spoken to                             or                       see things                 they imagine come from God"                                [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #16]             "Again, one who very lovingly                   asks something of our Lord              may fancy                that an answer comes from Him"                                                                          "but...no one accustomed                 to receive divine communications              could be deceived on this point                 by the imagination."                              [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #17]         ▪ Without fruits              "If these locutions proceed                  from the imagination...                             they show no such signs,                  ( The above 3 signs of Genuine Locutions )              bringing                       neither conviction, peace,                       nor interior joy                  with them."                             "but which leave no more effect                          than dreams"                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #16]           ▀  Locutions derived from the devil              "The devil has deceived many Christians thus"                           [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]             "The devil makes use of these weak souls                    to injure others,                even if they, themselves, escape unhurt."                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #3]            "The devil's deceptions are more dangerous;             Even if  "we may feel fairly confident              that these locutions are from God,             though not so certain             but that,             if they refer to some weighty matter                  we should consult some confessor                      who is both learned and a servant of God,                 before attempting or thinking                      of acting on them..."                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #18]

█  St. Teresa's Advice regarding Locutions   ▀ St. Teresa's General Recommendations      Regarding Locutions      ▪ Seek Counsel from the Confessor               or Spiritual   Director      ▪ Resist and Take Caution             until the source of the locution is acertained.         "There is need for caution                both with feeble and strong souls at first,           until it is certain                from what spirit these things proceed."         "in the beginning,           it is always wiser                 to resist these communications;           If they come from God,             this is the best way to receive more,            for they increase when discouraged.                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #3]      ▪ To take no notice of the locutions          "Let the prioress or confessor...              bid them think no more of it"                       [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]          "persuade them, as far as possible,                  to take no notice of their fancies"                       [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #3]          "no attention should be paid                 to either class of people                          (those "of a lively imagination                            or ...afflicted with melancholy")              when they say they see, hear, or learn                 anything supernaturally."                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]            "Do not disturb them by saying                  that it comes from the devil,                             but listen to them                  as if they were sick persons."            "If we tell them their fancies                 proceed from melancholia,              there will be no end to the matter,              for they will persist in maintaining                  they have seen and heard these things,              for so it seems to them."                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]       ▪ Locutions are Not required for  Salvation            or even for advancement in prayer          "such matters are not essential               in the service of God"          "they need not trouble themselves about it."                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #2]          "you must not esteem yourself more highly"                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #5]       ▪ Limit the duration of prayer time         "they occur to many persons                 who...(practice)  prayer."                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #4]           "The truth is,              care should be taken                 to keep such people from too much prayer"                           [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #3]            "At the same time the soul should not be                 too strictly controlled or disquieted,               for it cannot help itself in the matter.                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #3]  ▀ Particular Advice regarding locutions           that disagree with Holy Scripture          "Take no more notice                   of any speeches you hear           which disagree with the Holy Scriptures           than if you heard them from Satan himself           Though they may only rise                  from your vivid imagination,             look upon them as a temptation                  against the faith.            Always resist them;            then they will leave you, and cease"                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #5]      ▀ Particular Advice         for those receiving  helpful locutions           "When they only                  console you,                           or                  warn you of your faults,            it matters not                  whence they come                           or                  whether they are only fancies.                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #4]             "...although they may come from God,              all the good consists                   in profiting by His words."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #5]     ▀ Particular Advice for those whose locutions           were discerned to be  Genuine:                    ▪  Consultation and Obedience                 to their Confessor              "If the foregoing signs  (of genuine locutions)                   are present,               we may feel fairly confident                  that these locutions are from God,               though not so certain               but that,                 - if they refer to some weighty matter                    in which we are called upon to act                             or                 - if they concern a third person,                      we should consult some confessor...               before attempting or thinking                      of acting on them,              although we...are convinced                      of their truth and divine origin.                His Majesty wishes us to take this course;               It is not disobedience to His commands,                   for He has bidden us               (to) hold our confessor as His representative                   even where there is no doubt                that the communications come from Him...               ...it would be very dangerous                     to act against our confessor's advice                           and                     to prefer our own opinions                           in such a matter.                Our Lord will reassure our confessor,                whom,                     when He so chooses,                 He will inspire with faith                that these locutions are from the Holy Ghost.                                 [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #18]        ▪ Humility           "you must not esteem yourself more highly               for He often spoke to the Pharisees"                          [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #5]         ▪ Trust in God             Here, St. Teresa seems to be referring                 to a prophetic locution             which has been ascertained to come                  from God.             "In fact,                 as these words come from the Spirit of God,               it is right thus                      to trust them                            and                       to desire                 that He Who is supreme truth                       should not be thought a deceiver."              "Justly, therefore,                       does their hearer rejoice                when, after a thousand                       delays and enormous difficulties,                 they are accomplished."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #15]

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█ Interior ( Intellectual ) locutions         "God speaks to the soul            in another way         by a certain intellectual vision             which...proceeds from Him"        it will be described later on.                                            [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #19]        (See Mansion 6: Chapter 4 and Chapter 8 )      ▪ Location of the speech        "It takes place             far within the innermost depths of the soul         which appears to hear distinctly...the words...                in a most mysterious manner,          with its spiritual hearing"                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #19]      ▪ Source          "spoken to it                by our Lord Himself."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #19]      ▪ That God is the source             is shown by their fruits         "The way                in which the spirit perceives these words                  and            the results produced by them,            convince us                that they cannot in any way come                    from the devil.           Their powerful aftereffects                force us to admit this                       and                plainly show                 they do not spring from the imagination."                                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #19] █  The Signs of Genuine Interior Locutions      ▀ The First Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions.  .           "Firstly,            the clearness of the language varies                  in the different kinds of locutions.            Those that are divine                  are so distinct             that the hearer remembers               - if there were a syllable missing,                         and               - what words were made use of                  even though a whole sentence was spoken.            But if the speech were only a freak of fancy,            it would                  not be so audible                  nor would the words be so distinct             but would be only half articulated.                           [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #20]   ▀ The Second Sign          of Genuine Interior Locutions        "The second reason is           that often the person was not thinking of                 what is heard;           Sometimes the locution              even comes unexpectedly during conversation,          though at times it refers              to some thought that passed quickly                      through the mind                                  or             to a subject, it was before engaged upon.           Frequently it concerns things                 of whose existence the hearer                       knew nothing                nor even imagined such events                       could ever come to pass;          Therefore it is impossible               for the imagination to have                      framed such speeches                            and                      deceived the mind by fancies              about what it had                      never wished,                      nor sought for,                      nor even thought about."                                             [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #21]   ▀ The Third Sign of Genuine Interior Locutions       "The third reason is         that in a genuine case                 the soul seems to listen to the words,          whereas when the imagination is at work,                little by little,          it composes                what the person wishes to hear."                              [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #22]   ▀ The Fourth Sign           of Genuine Interior Locutions          "The fourth reason is          because divine locutions                differ immensely from others,          a single word comprises a depth of meaning            which our understanding could not thus                quickly condense into one phrase.                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #23]  ▀ The Fifth Sign            of Genuine Interior Locutions      "Fifthly        because...these communications,            without any further explanations,        frequently give us            to understand far more            than is implied by the words themselves."       "...this way of understanding hidden things...is            very subtle                  and            a favour for which we should thank God.                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #24]  ▀  Additional Proof:          The Fruits of Genuine Locutions      "When these results follow,          no graces or gifts  received during prayer             need alarm the soul..."      "...the soul...should rather            trust  in the mercy of God,               Who is faithful                       and                will not allow the devil to deceive it;        but it is always well            to be on one's guard.                       [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #26]         ■ Humility           "If the soul receives favours and caresses                  from our Lord,             let it examine carefully                  whether it rates itself                            more highly in consequence;           Unless self-abasement increases                  with God's expressions of love,             they do not come from the Holy Spirit.            Inevitably, when they are divine,               the greater the favours,               the less the soul esteems itself                           and               the more keenly it remembers its sins."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #25]              "It...feels a keener conviction that              instead of meriting such favours,               it deserves hell."                        [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #25]       ■ Detachment from self:   Attachment to God           It becomes more oblivious of self-interest:          The will and memory grow more fervent                in seeking solely God's honour            with no thought of self.                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #25]       ■ Conformity with the Will of God            "It also becomes unceasingly careful                  not to deviate deliberately              from the will of God"                         [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #25]  ▀  Additional Characteristics              of  Genuine Locutions      ■ The soul can not avoid listening                "This cannot be done...                   "...avoid listening to these locutions"      ■ The soul can not distract its attention           away from the locutions                                "even if they are interior,                 it is (not)...possible              to distract the attention from them                  so as not to hear them"                     [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #27]            "This is not feasible             when these communications come                   from the Holy Ghost             Who,                 when He speaks,                       stops all other thoughts                                   and                       compels the mind to listen.                 Mark this:              ...it would be easier                  for a person with very keen ears                       to avoid hearing a loud voice,                 for he could occupy his thoughts and mind                      in other things.             Not so here;             The soul can do nothing,                 nor has it ears to stop,                 nor power to think of aught              but what is said to it.            For He Who could stay the sun on its course...                can so quiet                     the faculties and                    the interior of the spirit                 as to make it perceive            that another and a stronger Lord than itself                governs this castle;           It is thus affected                with profound devotion and humility,           seeing that it cannot but listen.           May the divine Majesty vouchsafe           that,                  forgetting ourselves,           our only aim may be to please Him"                                  [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #27]      ▀  Discernment regarding Interior Locutions:      ■ Self-deception: One's Imagination           The "...principal difficulty                was to discover           whether the locutions were merely fancied.                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #24]         "those (words) coming                   from the imagination          leave us uncertain             whether we heard the words or not."                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #24]           "...freaks of fancy...may be prevented                 by ceasing to desire certain things                              or                 by paying no attention to its inventions.                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #27]       ■ Deception by the devil           "It is easier to know                  when they come from the devil             although being so wily,                  he can with facility,             imitate the spirit of light.                          ...he would do this in a form of words                 pronounced so distinctly             that there would be no more doubt                 as to their reality             than if they came from the spirit of truth"            But Satan could never counterfeit                 the effects...                he leaves                     neither peace                    nor light                in the soul,                     only anxiety and confusion.             In any case,             he can do little or no harm to one                 who is humble                       and                 who...does not act on what is heard.                      [Interior Castle: Mansion 6: Ch. 3: #24]

End of the Discussion of                  Mansion 6 Chapter 3                              of                                                             The Interior Castle                             or                    The Mansions                 S. Teresa of Jesus    of the Order of our Lady of Carmel                  St. Teresa of Avila

 

Note:   Attempt was made to  display the quotes    of the other books being cited     by the editor's foot notes.  But, they may not be the actual intended passages       that were cited by the editor  since the editions/translations used by the editor      may have different paragraph numbering    than those available to this blog.