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Teresa of Avila: Interior Castle (The Classics of Western Spirituality)
Teresa (1515-1582), a Spanish mystic, is considered to be one of the most profound spiritual teachers in the history of Christianity. The Interior Castle is Teresa's spiritual masterpiece.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
December 12th 1988
by Paulist Press
(first published 1588)
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Update: I am blogging about this book. Here is the blog address if interested:
http://whatisyourpurposerightnow.blog...
First of all, don't read this book straight through and expect to get meaning from it. This is not one of those books.
This is a book that needs to be experienced. There is so much to it, I can't even begin to explain well enough to give it credit. Meditation and pondering are definetely required!
I have 78 pages left. I intend to finish it tonight. Then in the morning I've decide...more
http://whatisyourpurposerightnow.blog...
First of all, don't read this book straight through and expect to get meaning from it. This is not one of those books.
This is a book that needs to be experienced. There is so much to it, I can't even begin to explain well enough to give it credit. Meditation and pondering are definetely required!
I have 78 pages left. I intend to finish it tonight. Then in the morning I've decide...more
Jan 27, 2012
Les Walters
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-frequent-use
As a Carmelite Secular (i.e. a lay member of the Carmelite Order, founded by St Teresa in 16th century), I keep coming back to The Way of Perfection again and again, and always learn something new and important. It's foundational to our prayer life as we're committed to the practise of contemplative prayer and to growth in holiness and Teresa knew what she was talking about. Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez have done a fine job of translating from the Spanish and making Teresa intelligble a...more
This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Cafe.
My latest review for christianaudio reviewer's program is Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle (which was made possible with a complimentary copy from christianaudio). As many people know, my undergraduate studies focused on religion, particularly hagiographies and texts like St. Teresa's. So I was quite excited to have the opportunity to read (er, listen) to this book. I was familiar with St. Teresa before, but I had not read this book yet.
Unfo...more
My latest review for christianaudio reviewer's program is Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle (which was made possible with a complimentary copy from christianaudio). As many people know, my undergraduate studies focused on religion, particularly hagiographies and texts like St. Teresa's. So I was quite excited to have the opportunity to read (er, listen) to this book. I was familiar with St. Teresa before, but I had not read this book yet.
Unfo...more
This is an excellent, though a difficult, book and one I feel I will return to in the future.
Saint Teresa wrote The Interior Castle relatively late in her life, after years as a nun, and with a lifetime of spiritual discipline behind her. Therefore, she is easily able to identify common pitfalls which present obstacles to spiritual growth and advancement. Her advice is practical and surprisingly relevant to readers some 400 years after the book was written. However, she may easily surpass the a...more
Saint Teresa wrote The Interior Castle relatively late in her life, after years as a nun, and with a lifetime of spiritual discipline behind her. Therefore, she is easily able to identify common pitfalls which present obstacles to spiritual growth and advancement. Her advice is practical and surprisingly relevant to readers some 400 years after the book was written. However, she may easily surpass the a...more
When I was a kid, I was completely obsessed with books about saints. However, I tended to only read books that told the stories of saints that, well, died in really gory ways, or got their eyes plucked out or attacked by arrows. I'm both sorry and not sorry that I didn't read more about or by Teresa of Avila -- I'm sorry because I wish I'd come across this earlier in life, and I'm not sorry because this seems to be one of those books that comes to a person at the perfect time. I've only read it...more
Although St. Teresa was a 16th century nun, she was as busy as the rest of us when "encouraged" by her spiritual director to write this book for her nuns. I read it as part of a Sunday school class, and I found myself cracking up at how Mirabai Starr captures her. One minute she is fervently advocating for humility and self-expression and prayer and the next she's literally writing I don't where I was. Between opening and managing some 15 or more Carmelite convents, dodging the suspicious Spanis...more
Dec 16, 2010
Kathy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mystics, prayer warriors, people on their spiritual journey through prayer
Recommended to Kathy by:
Mary Clark
Shelves:
spiritual,
spiritual-direction
You can't read this book quickly. The thoughts are deep. And the translation sometimes makes for slower reading as well. I gave up on the English version, and ordered the original Spanish. It makes so much more sense, but still slow reading. i've had it 3 years and still am not done, but then I don'tread it every day either.
"Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila -
Firstly, Thank you to the nuns and persons who have lovingly preserved this work over the centuries.
I fell deeply into the mystical nature of this book and was amazed with the content - what I mean is - how deeply Holy Spirit took me to these places that St. Teresa described. This bopok helped me to understand many mystical things going on in my own life.
How good the Lord is - Eternally - I thank God that He helped St. Teresa chronicle her testimony, a...more
Firstly, Thank you to the nuns and persons who have lovingly preserved this work over the centuries.
I fell deeply into the mystical nature of this book and was amazed with the content - what I mean is - how deeply Holy Spirit took me to these places that St. Teresa described. This bopok helped me to understand many mystical things going on in my own life.
How good the Lord is - Eternally - I thank God that He helped St. Teresa chronicle her testimony, a...more
St. Teresa describes the numinous experience as later defined by Rudolf Otto in his book The Idea of the Holy:
"The splendour of Him Who is revealed in the vision resembles an infused light like that of the sun covered with a veil as transparent as a diamond .... The soul to whom God grants this vision almost always falls into an ecstasy, nature being too weak to bear so dread a sight. I say 'dread,' though this apparition is more lovely and delightful than anything that could be imagined even th...more
"The splendour of Him Who is revealed in the vision resembles an infused light like that of the sun covered with a veil as transparent as a diamond .... The soul to whom God grants this vision almost always falls into an ecstasy, nature being too weak to bear so dread a sight. I say 'dread,' though this apparition is more lovely and delightful than anything that could be imagined even th...more
Hope to return to this very soon.
Within this volume is a book entitled, Meditations on the Song of Songs--which is what I'm beginning next. Already read the other two works in this volume: The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle.
Within this volume is a book entitled, Meditations on the Song of Songs--which is what I'm beginning next. Already read the other two works in this volume: The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle.
1 like · like · see review
Born 1515-1582 Avila Spain; Doctor of the Church; Doctor of Prayer; mystic
This is written as a manual for other Carmilite sisters on the union with God through prayer. It describes each person as having seven internal spiritual mansions, each mansion consists of many rooms. You enter the first mansion via prayer, the second by prayer and fasting. Within each mansion there are serpents which try to prevent you from moving to the deeper mansion.
As you move further into the mansions, you get a prof...more
This is written as a manual for other Carmilite sisters on the union with God through prayer. It describes each person as having seven internal spiritual mansions, each mansion consists of many rooms. You enter the first mansion via prayer, the second by prayer and fasting. Within each mansion there are serpents which try to prevent you from moving to the deeper mansion.
As you move further into the mansions, you get a prof...more
The Interior Castles is a very wonderful book on how to get closer to God and how to overcome the trials come upon you. St. Theresa originally wrote this for the sisters in her convent, at the urging of a friend of hers. She says that the way to the "ultimate marriage with God" is through humility and a humble life, and through prayer. She also says that we have to be aware of when God speaks to us, and know when Satan is trying to veer us away from Him.
The reason why I gave it only three stars...more
The reason why I gave it only three stars...more
Apr 14, 2013
Jacqueline Hannaford
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
spirituality
Read The Interior Castle. There is much that is thought provoking in this work. It actually kind of echoes Rainbow Painting in that it discusses progressively more profound states of meditation (like the External, Internal and Secret of Rainbow Paintings). The imagery of the castle and the rooms within help the reader begin to understand the progression of the spiritual path, complete with all of the doubt and confusion therein.
However, I have real difficulty with her references to humans as "w...more
However, I have real difficulty with her references to humans as "w...more
I think the translation I was borrowing may be a bit... what's the word... obscure... but I got the general idea... it's a consoling concept really... that there is a whole realm of God's Love hidden in the very depths of our own heart & soul... all the beauty that we long for in going on a pilgrimage to a shrine -- can be found in the indwelling presence of God wherever we are! The Heavenly mansions Jesus has promised begins with us making room for Jesus in our own hearts, now. God is with...more
St. Teresa is painfully 16th century in her writing style but the wisdom imparted is incredible--you just have to not get lost along the way.
Jul 02, 2011
Rsspadafora
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
didn-t-even-bother-after-intro
As a traditionalist Roman Catholic I feel it important to note this book has no imprinture. Though seemingly easier to read, this translator has taken liberties with terms that should stay as are i.e. the term sin and hell. I do appreciate this translator's honesty with this upfront! I am also glad that her workings may in fact lead others to this amazing woman named Teresa who would become Saint Teresa. If, however one feels as I do the importance of works to have imprantures... I recommend a d...more
This was a hard one. There were times when I completely understood what she was saying. There were other times that I didn't really have a clue as to her point. I also got confused because she emphasized that the book was about prayer, but it seemed to be more about our general spiritual walk and closeness to God. When I read it with the "closeness to God" mindset, it made more sense. When I tried to read it as about "prayer", I got confused. Prayer is an important spiritual discipline but isn't...more
Not an easy read but worth the effort.
“Few tasks which I have been commanded to undertake by obedience have been so difficult as this present one of writing about matters relating to prayer: for one reason, because I do not feel the Lord has given me either the spirituality or the desire for it….”
So Teresa of Ávila (1515 – 1582) begins The Interior Castle (published 1577), a book which became a lucid and beautifully written spiritual classic. A learned woman who had already written several books, Teresa had been instructed to write...more
So Teresa of Ávila (1515 – 1582) begins The Interior Castle (published 1577), a book which became a lucid and beautifully written spiritual classic. A learned woman who had already written several books, Teresa had been instructed to write...more
The acknowledgements was the best part of the book...so far.
I can't help but feel like the author is lecturing in that wagging-her-finger-in-your-face way, with all of this talk of unworthiness. I don't agree with all of her philosophy, and my continuous [emotional] balking adds to my increasing distate for the book; but everyone raves about this spiritual book, so I'm going to keep plodding through. How's THAT for unworthy, St. Teresa??!
I can't help but feel like the author is lecturing in that wagging-her-finger-in-your-face way, with all of this talk of unworthiness. I don't agree with all of her philosophy, and my continuous [emotional] balking adds to my increasing distate for the book; but everyone raves about this spiritual book, so I'm going to keep plodding through. How's THAT for unworthy, St. Teresa??!
I'm still finding my way among the spiritual classics. I was pleasantly surprised by "The Interior Castle." The language was amazingly accessible--perhaps that is courtesy of the translator as well as St. Teresa. I felt like Teresa was talking directly to me. (The book is intended for the sisters in her convent.) She did not condescend in her tone; she took the approach of a fellow traveler and shared her own struggles with prayer.
Despite being cloistered, she has a good grasp of human nature. S...more
Despite being cloistered, she has a good grasp of human nature. S...more
As far as spiritual books go, this one is unparalled. St. Teresa's insights are universal and timeless. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in the spiritual journey; but not for the faint-hearted. St. Teresa is utterly orthodox and not at all a "new age" character. Much can be gained from this challenging and insightful "Doctor of the Church".
Ancient wisdom even if the style is very dated - she could do with a decent editor, and the 'humility' sounds really twee and girly to modern ears. But seriously, it's encouraging to know that your own spiritual experiences fit with those of others down through the ages, but also that there is a lot more still to discover. A book I will probably go back to.
From what I've heard, this translation of this classic work is one of the more understandable ones. It's difficult material to get through simply because it's so deep. But it's not a classic for no reason! I recommend this for anyone looking to explore more of the mystic's approach to their relationship with God.
This is not one of those books you plow through finish say, 'Whew, now I'm enlightened!" As deep calls to deep so St. Teresa's writings cause you stop frequently and wonder and think about what has just been said.
It is not only the spiritual journey she describes that captures your imagination, but the attitude and manner with which she speaks that is so foreign to today's values and surface tendencies.
This book inspires because it shows that prayer and Christian meditation is so much more than...more
It is not only the spiritual journey she describes that captures your imagination, but the attitude and manner with which she speaks that is so foreign to today's values and surface tendencies.
This book inspires because it shows that prayer and Christian meditation is so much more than...more
I liked her ideas quite a bit. The one hesitation in my evaluation is that she has such an issue expressing them herself. You can make out what she's saying and sort of finish the job for her, but as a text I can't help feel that it is somewhat limited in its explanation.
Don't expect to learn anything of actual use from this about how to actually practice Christian mysticism. It's clear from this book that St. Teresa was engaged in something very important. But it's also clear that she had no idea about how to convey it to others in a way that would actually assist them.
this book is good for anyone who is visual. Very deep. I found that i read a few pages at a time and i could really relate. hard to believe that this is from the 16th century.
i like to journal, and Teresa was certainly a sister journal-er.
i like to journal, and Teresa was certainly a sister journal-er.
Too apologetic for my taste (which is understandable, considering the period she wrote in). Not my cup of tea, but many people have been blessed by this book about prayer.
Catholicism really isn't my thing - I'm not even sure Christianity is. I find her endless denigrations of herself as being unworthy, especially since she is a woman, nauseating.
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Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be, along with John of the Cross, a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. In 1970 she was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.
Born in Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515, St. Teresa was the...more
More about Teresa of Ávila...
Born in Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515, St. Teresa was the...more
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“This Beloved of ours is merciful and good. Besides, he so deeply longs for our love that he keeps calling us to come closer. This voice of his is so sweet that the poor soul falls apart in the face of her own inability to instantly do whatever he asks of her. And so you can see, hearing him hurts much more than not being able to hear him… For now, his voice reaches us through words spoken by good people, through listening to spiritual talks, and reading sacred literature. God calls to us in countless little ways all the time. Through illnesses and suffering and through sorrow he calls to us. Through a truth glimpsed fleetingly in a state of prayer he calls to us. No matter how halfhearted such insights may be, God rejoices whenever we learn what he is trying to teach us.”
—
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“The devil frequently fills our thoughts with great schemes, so that instead of putting our hands to what work we can do to serve our Lord, we may rest satisfied with wishing to perform impossibilities.”
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