St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa was a 16th-century Spanish Carmelite nun renowned for her profound insights into Christian mysticism. In "The Interior Castle" she takes us on a meditative and prayerful journey through the seven "mansions" of the soul, culminating in a deep union with the Divine.
St. Teresa had a vision of a white castle
In her vision she was shown the most beautiful crystal globe, containing a castle made of brilliant light. The castle consisted of seven mansions arranged concentrically like an onion, and the nearer to the centre, the stronger the light. In the seventh and innermost mansion God resided, and he illuminated all the other mansions.
“Let us now imagine that this castle, as I have said, contains many mansions, some above, others below, others at each side; and in the centre and midst of them all is the chiefest mansion where the most secret things pass between God and the soul.”
St. Teresa compared the soul’s development to a silkworm’s transition from cocoon to butterfly.
“Likewise, the soul spins its own cocoon through penance, prayer and mortification until it becomes hidden in God. When it becomes quite dead to the things of this world “it comes out a little white butterfly.”
The first three mansions correspond to a cleansing or purgative state. The next two correspond to a learning or illuminative state, and the final two to a unitive state, in which the seeker becomes spiritually betrothed to God.
Imaginary journey to the center of the castle
The journey from the first to the seventh mansion would take a lifetime of dedication and commitment. So, as inspiration, I though it might be a good idea to experience this journey as a guided meditation.
Find a quite and comfortable place to sit, take a few calming breaths, and then slowly read through the text below. Pause occasionally to reflect on each mansion. Close you eyes now and then, and imagine each scene in vivid detail.
Outside the castle
Imagine yourself standing in almost complete darkness. In your hands you have seven pure white tulips. Around you hear the croaking of toads and the hissing and slithering of snakes. There is an awful smell. Life outside of the Interior Castle is an empty life of sin. For St. Teresa the way to escape this emptiness was through repentance and prayer. Think about one thing you want to change in your life. Maybe drink less beer? Perhaps read more books? Say a short prayer asking God for forgiveness.
The darkness fades, and you realized that you are standing in front of a bright white castle. Immediately, you realize that this beautiful and magnificent castle represents your soul. Lay one of your seven tulips at the entrance, and step though the large wooden door in front of you.
The first mansions
At this stage the soul is still strongly attached to sin and to worldly things. One of St. Teresa’s recommendations for the beginner is to recognize how great and beautiful the created world is.
Close your eyes and imagine you are standing inside the castle. It is elaborately decorated with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Explore the many rooms in this mansion. In one room elegantly dressed people are dancing the Waltz, in another people are enjoying a feast.
Eventually, you come to a window, look out of it and see how beautiful the world is. Lay your second flower down in front of the window, and say a short prayer of gratitude and appreciation.
The second mansions
At this stage, the soul is only partially detached from the attractions of the world. There is still a lot of work to do. St. Teresa recommends that this is the right time to avoid associating with “evil” or “mediocre” people. Ask yourself if there are any particular people in your life that have a negative affect on you. Consider what you could do to minimize or eliminate interactions with them. Close your eyes, and in your mind's eye see a person who has a negative affect on you standing in front of you. Thank them, and tell them they no longer have power over you. Then hand them your third tulip and say goodbye.
The third mansions
Souls in this stage are productive, charitable, and well on the path to unity with God. Despite this, they are still living mostly in their heads, and haven't yet connected to their hearts. St. Teresa writes that “their love is not yet ardent enough to overwhelm their reason.”
Close your eyes and imagine you are in a huge library with thousands of books. These books represent the all the knowledge you have acquired over your lifetime. This knowledge is enormously valuable for you, but it's time to move from a head-based way of thinking to a heart-based way of living. Find the librarian, and when you see her, tell her how grateful you are for the wisdom stored on the shelves. Now, give her your fourth tulip and find your way to the exit.
The fourth mansions
Entrance into the fourth mansion marks a significant advancement in the soul’s journey because this point marks the transition from a purgative state into an illuminative state.
In the fourth mansion the soul begins to experience the Prayer of Supernatural and the Prayer of Quiet. The prayer of supernatural recollection is a spontaneous prayer in which the soul turns inward, away from the world, like a tortoise retracting into its shell. The feeling is as if God is right there with you.
The Prayer of Quiet is “a quiet, deep, and peaceful happiness in the will.” in The Way of Perfection St. Teresa compares the state achieved in the Prayer of Quite to that of an infant still at its mother’s breast, “Such is the mother’s care for it that she gives it its milk without its having to ask for it so much as by moving its lips. That is what happens here. The will simply loves, and no effort needs to be made by the understanding, for it is the Lord’s pleasure that, without exercising its thought, the soul should realize that it is in His company, and should merely drink the milk which His Majesty puts into its mouth and enjoy its sweetness.”
Close your eyes, and imagine you are opening the door to the fourth mansions. It's completely dark on the other side, and as you step through the door you realize that there is no floor. Fall, fall, fall. It's a slow, safe fall as if you are tumbling through jelly. Land on a pile of cushions. Just lie there on the soft pillows. Everything is dark, and soft, and comfortable. In this space you are totally relaxed and totally loved.
The fifth mansions
In the fifth mansion, the seekers encounter the Prayer of Union, which some scholars call the prayer of sleep, because here the soul “falls asleep to the things of the world,” and in this sort of sleep the soul becomes united with God. The senses are suspended, and there is virtually an unconsciousness, as the soul appears to have withdrawn from the body.
Teresa explains, “God implants Himself in the interior of that soul in such a way that, when it returns to itself, it cannot possibly doubt that God has been in it and it has been in God."
Close you eyes and in your mind’s eye enter the fifth mansion. A giant silkworm is spinning a cocoon. Once the cocoon is complete the silkworm gives you a welcoming look, as if to say, “This cocoon is for you.” The kind silkworm crawls away. Climb into the cocoon. It's a perfect fit. Remain in the black silence for as long as you want to knowing that God is right there with you.
The Sixth Mansions
In this stage, the soul moves from the illuminative way to the unitive way. The soul has fallen deeply in love with the King, and is now ready for spiritual betrothal to Him. The journey through the sixth mansion is an emotional one. Sometimes you will experience ecstasy, joy, and jubilation, and sometimes terrible suffering. To enter into mansion seven the soul has to withstand great hardships. These may include physical illness, depression or persecutions.
The Seventh Mansions
When the soul comes to the seventh mansion, it enters into spiritual marriage with her bridegroom, the King. The soul has penetrated to the very center of itself “where His Majesty alone dwells.”
In your imagination pass through a doorway into the Seventh Mansions. In front of you is a stairway leading to the clouds. Walk up the stairway through the clouds, and when you reach the top you meet Jesus.
