Carmelite Book Studies ~ The Interior Castle or The Mansions: The Interior Castle: Mansion 6 - Chapter 8 Discussion - The Mansions - St. Teresa of Avila

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 8

Discussion of Mansion 6 Chapter 8

█ Summary or Highlights

▀ God May Communicate with the Soul

"By Wonderful Apparitions and Visions"

▀ Why St. Teresa is describing the Graces

that God May Bestow to Souls

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

█ Operation of Love: An Intellectual Vision

A Perception that God is at their side.

▀ Duration

▀ Fruits or Beneficial Effects

of this Intellectual Vision

▪ Strengthens and Encourages the Soul

▪ Continuous Recollection of God

▪ Increase in the Love for God

▪ Desire to Please God and

Never to Offend Him

▪ Interior Peace

▪ Detachment

▪ Humility

▪ Spiritual Knowledge

▪ Purification of One's Conscience

▪ Preparation for Future Graces

▀ Not a Deception or Delusion

▀ Those upon Whom God Bestows This Grace

■ Bestowed by God according to His Will

■ These Favors Are

Not a Guarantee of Holiness

■ Favors Can be a Gift from God

Given in order to Fortify a Weak Soul

■ Not Acquired or Merited

By One's Own Efforts

▀ St. Teresa's Advice for Those

Upon Whom God Bestows this Grace

■ Consultation with a Spiritual Confessor

■ Prayer

■ Proceed with Care and Caution

■ Gratitude and Praise to God

■ Persevere and Intensify Efforts

to Serve God

▀ God May Communicate with the Soul

"By Wonderful Apparitions and Visions"

"the more the soul advances,

the closer does this good Jesus

bear it company,

"His Majesty communicates Himself to us,

manifesting His love

by wonderful apparitions and visions"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #1 ]

▀ Why St. Teresa is describing the Graces

that God May Bestow to Souls

"...if (God) is pleased to aid me,

I will describe (these graces) to you

■ So that you may not be alarmed

if any of these favours are granted you."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #1 ]

She wants to forewarn that such graces

- do exist;

- are gifts from God, bestowed

according to His will

- should be, if experienced, reported to

a learned and spiritual Confessor

for direction and for affirmation

that it is not a deception.

Since St. Teresa, herself, was alarmed,

she wants others

to profit by her experience

and

not to waste time or go astray.

She wants to advise them
how to proceed
and
to make "good use of…these graces".

"She was frightened by this vision...

She went, in a state of great anxiety,

to her confessor"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #3 ]

"At first it distressed her,

for she could not understand it...

...she was alarmed,

never having heard

of an intellectual vision,

nor was she aware

that such a thing could be."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #2 ]

Yet, she relates there is a certainty

that the vision is from God:

"It is evidently divine"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #5 ]

Its authenticity is also proven by its fruits

- the growth of the virtues in the soul:

"the benefits caused by this grace prove

how great and how valuable it is"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

■ So that all will praise God

"We ought,

even if we do not receive them ourselves,

to praise Him fervently

for thus communing with creatures,

seeing how sovereign are

His majesty and power."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #1 ]

█ Operation of Love: An Intellectual Vision

( for example )

A Perception that God is at their side.

St. Teresa describes an Intellectual Vision

which reveals to the soul with a certitude

that God is very close at hand, at their side.

"She was conscious

of His being at her right hand,

although not in the way

we know an ordinary person to be beside us

but in a more subtle manner

which cannot be described.

Yet this presence is quite

as evident and certain"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"for although we know

that God sees all we do,

(and is always present with us)

yet nature inclines us

to grow careless and forgetful of it".

But during this Intellectual Vision,

it is "impossible" to forget,

"since our Lord makes the soul conscious

that He is close at hand"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

▪ Described as a Perception or Feeling

"For example,

a person...is conscious

that Jesus Christ stands by her side

although she sees Him

neither with the eyes of the body

nor of the soul.

This is called an intellectual vision"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #2 ]

"so convinced did she feel

that Jesus Christ was thus

in some way manifesting Himself "

"felt certain of our Lord's presence"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #2 ]

"Whenever she desired to speak

to His Majesty in prayer,

or even at other times,

He seemed so close

that He could not fail to hear her "

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"Who seemed ever by her side,

watching her."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"...I was in prayer one day,...

when I saw Christ close by me,

or, to speak more correctly, felt Him;

for I saw

nothing with the eyes of the body,

nothing with the eyes of the soul.

He seemed to me

to be close beside me...

Jesus Christ seemed to be

by my side continually...

but I had a most distinct feeling

that He was always on my right hand,

a witness of all I did; ..."

[ Life: Ch. 27: #3 ]

"but, without seeing anything...

She...feels that another is close beside her;

...she sees him not,

yet is certain that he is there present."

[ Relation 7: #26 ]

▪ Described as Perceiving Words

"Although people constantly cautioned her

against this vision,

as a rule

she found it impossible to disbelieve in it,

especially when she heard the words:

'It is I, be not afraid' "

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #3 ]

"that she was sure

- it was the fact

that it was He Who spoke to her

and

- it was no trick of her imagination"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

▪ St. Teresa also Describes a Perception

of the Company of a Saint

"At times we may enjoy the company

of some saint,

which also brings us great profit."

"It seems easy to recognize our Lord

when He speaks,

but it is surprising

how the soul can,

without hearing a word from him,

recognize which saint

has been sent by God

to be its companion and helper."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #7 ]

"I had recourse also

to St. Peter and St. Paul...

"I used to see them frequently most distinctly

on my left hand;

but that vision was not imaginary.

These glorious Saints

were my very good lords."

[ Life: Ch. 29: #6 ]

▀ Duration

"...unlike an imaginary (Vision)

(this Intellectual Vision)

does not pass away quickly

but lasts for several days

and

even sometimes for more than a year."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #3 ]

▀ Fruits or Beneficial Effects

of this Intellectual Vision

"In short,

the benefits caused by this grace prove

how great and how valuable it is."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

▪ Strengthens and Encourages the soul

"She felt much encouraged"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

▪ Continuous Recollection of God

"She... rejoiced at being in such good company,

seeing that this favour greatly helped her

to a constant recollection of God"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"The mind's continual keeping

in the presence of God

and

the concentration of its thoughts on Him..."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #9 ]

▪ Increase in the Love for God

"A most tender love for Him results

from being constantly in His company"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

▪ Desire to Please God and Never Offend Him

"with a constant desire to please God'

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"...one whose sole endeavour is

- to please His Majesty

and

- to lay down her life

for His honour and glory"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #9 ]

"the desires of devoting one's whole being

to His service

are more fervent..."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

"an extreme care not to displease...Him...

in any way"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"feeling herself to be

under greater obligations to Him

than others,

any fault she commits

pierces her to the heart,

as indeed it ought under the circumstances."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #8 ]

▪ Interior Peace

"fill the soul with peace"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

▪ Detachment

"such utter contempt of all

that does not lead to Him."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

▪ Humility

"This favour brings with it

an overwhelming sense

of self-abasement and humility"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #5 ]

"The soul thanks our Lord

for bestowing it on one unworthy of it,

but who would refuse to exchange it

for any earthly riches or delight."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

"unable to account for so high a favour

having been granted her."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #5 ]

"Therefore,

such a person does not rate herself

more highly on this account,

but rather thinks she serves Him less

than any one else in the world"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #8 ]

"in whom God works these graces

- despises himself, and

- becomes more humble

than he was ever before

[ Relation 7: #26 ]

▪ Spiritual Knowledge

"this brings with it

a special knowledge of God"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

▪ Purification of one's Conscience

"The conscience is greatly purified

by the knowledge

of His perpetual and near presence"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

▪ Preparation for Future Graces

"thus preparing it to receive

the other graces mentioned

by constantly making acts of love to Him

Whom it sees or feels at its side."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #6 ]

"This grace,

if made good use of,

prepares one receiving it

to become a great servant of God"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #12 ]

▀ Not a Deception or Delusion

■ A Communication from God

"Its powerful effects were a strong argument

that it was from (God)"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #2 ]

"The effect of this speech was so powerful

that for the time being

she could not doubt its truth."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"When the effects described are felt,

any of you whom our Lord leads

by this way

may be certain that it is

neither deception

nor fancy in her case."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #9 ]

■ Not a Self Deception

due to Human weakness, faults, or illness

"for it brings with it graces and spiritual effects

which could not come from melancholia."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

Occurring without intention

or even thinking / imagining this favor:

"a person who

is in no way expecting such a favour

nor has ever imagined herself worthy

of receiving it".

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #2 ]

■ Not a Deception from the devil

"Nor could the devil

thus fill the soul

with peace,

with a constant desire to please God,

and

such utter contempt of all

that does not lead to Him. "

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"As time went on,

my friend recognized

that this was no work of the evil one,

as our Lord showed her

more and more clearly."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"This favour brings with it

an overwhelming sense

of self-abasement and humility;

the reverse would be the case,

did it come from Satan.

It is evidently divine"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #5 ]

"I believe it to be impossible for the devil

to produce an illusion lasting so long,

neither could he benefit the soul

so remarkably

nor cause such interior peace."

"nor... bring about so much good"

"the soul would soon be clouded by

- self-esteem

and

- the idea that it was better than others."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #9 ]

"...no learned man would say

... the devil is deceiving you...

if he sees in you the effects described."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #11 ]

▀ Those upon Whom God Bestows This Grace

■ Bestowed by God according to His Will

"Our Lord guides every one,

in the way He knows to be best.

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #12 ]

■ These Favors Are Not a Guarantee of Holiness

Although St. Teresa includes

this Intellectual Vision as

a favor that may be associated

with the Sixth Mansion

and

with advanced souls,
she emphasizes that:

◦ this grace is not a guarantee of holiness

and

◦ this grace is not merited by one's labors

"...they must not think

( that one is ) more virtuous than the rest

because such favours are shown her."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #12 ]

Regarding holiness, St. Teresa wrote:

"We must look to the virtues;

She, who is

- most mortified,

- humble

and

- single-minded in serving God

is the most holy."

But, she adds

that only God can determine merit:

"However, we can never feel very certain

about such matters

until the true Judge rewards each one

according to his merits."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #12 ]

■ Favors Can be a Gift from God

Given in order to Fortify a Weak Soul

"but sometimes our Lord bestows it

on the weakest souls"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #12 ]

■ Not Acquired or Merited

By One's Own Efforts

"no human effort could produce such feelings

nor could any one suppose

that such profit came from herself,

but must needs recognize it

as a gift from the hand of God."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #5 ]

"There are other spiritual matters

which cannot be explained.

Our inability to grasp them

should teach us

how incapable is our nature

of understanding the sublime mysteries

of God."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #8 ]

"...He did not speak to her

whenever she wished"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #4 ]

"When our Lord chooses

to withdraw His presence,

the soul, in its loneliness,

makes every possible effort

to induce Him to return.

This avails but little,

for this grace comes

at His will

and

not by our endeavours."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #7 ]

"And when it is over,

though she may wish...

to retain the image thereof,

-- she cannot do it,

for it is then clear to her

that it would be, in that case,

an act of the imagination,

not the vision itself,

-- that is not in her power"

[ Relation 7: #26 ]

"And it is from this

it comes to pass

that he

in whom God works these graces

- despises himself, and

- becomes more humble

than he was ever before,

for he sees

that this is a gift of God, and

that he can

neither add to it

nor take from it..."

[ Relation 7: #26 ]

▀ St. Teresa's Advice for Those

Upon Whom God Bestows this Grace

■ Consultation with a Spiritual Confessor

"It would be well at first

to tell your case,

under the seal of confession,

to a thoroughly qualified theologian

( for that is the source

whence we must obtain light )

to some highly spiritual person.

If your confessor is not very spiritual,

a good theologian would be preferable;

best of all,

one who unites both qualities."

St. Teresa describes the importance of

a Confessor who is learned and experienced

in these spiritual matters:

"If the director,

though given to prayer,

has not been led by God in this way,

he will at once take fright and condemn it"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #11 ]

"When you have conferred with these persons,

- be at peace;

- Trouble yourself no more about the matter,

for sometimes

when there is no cause for fear,

the demon gives rise

to such immoderate scruples

that the person cannot be satisfied

with consulting her confessor

only once on the subject,

especially

if he is inexperienced and timid

if he bids her consult him again."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #11 ]

▪ If the Confessor indicates

that the experience is due

to one's active imagination:

"Do not be disturbed

if he calls it mere fancy;

if it is,

it can
neither harm

nor benefit your soul much."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #10 ]

■ Prayer

"Recommend yourself to the divine Majesty

and

beg Him not to allow you to be misled."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #10 ]

"the same Lord

Who is beside you,

will comfort and reassure you

and

will go to your counselor

and

give him light
(so) that he may impart it to you"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #11 ]

■ Proceed with Care and Caution

"Fear is good

and

we should be cautious and not overconfident,

for if such favours made you careless,

it would prove they were not from God

as they did not leave the results I described"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #10 ]

■ Gratitude and Praise to God

"Those on whom these favours are bestowed

should

- marvel at

and

- praise God's mercy for them.

As these particular graces are

not granted to everybody,

any one who receives them

should esteem them highly"

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #8 ]

■ Persevere and Intensify Efforts to Serve God

"...any one who receives (these graces)

should...strive to serve God more zealously,

since He has given her such special aid."

[ Interior Castle: Mansion 6:

Ch. 8: #8 ]

End of the Discussion of

Mansion 6 Chapter 8

The Interior Castle

The Mansions

S. Teresa of Jesus

of the Order of our Lady of Carmel

St. Teresa of Avila

Carmelite Book Studies ~ The Interior Castle or The Mansions

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Interior Castle: Mansion 6 - Chapter 8 Discussion - The Mansions - St. Teresa of Avila - Teresa of Jesus