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Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your Soul
A motivational teacher and New York Times bestselling author presents an exciting new guide to awakening the spirit within.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
424 people are currently reading
2284 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Myss
172 books1,033 followersCaroline Myss was born on December 2, 1952 in Chicago, and grew up with her parents, and two brothers, one elder and one younger, in the Melrose Park, Illinois neighbourhood near Chicago. Caroline was raised a Catholic, and attended the Mother Guerin High School, River Grove, Illinois, run by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1974, and started her career in journalism in Chicago.
In the course of her career, she interviewed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., the author of the famous book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, Chicago, which she completed in 1979. She also claims to hold a Ph.D in "intuition and energy medicine", but the degree was granted by Greenwich University, a now-defunct correspondence school that was never accredited to deliver higher education awards by any recognized government accreditation authority.
She started giving medical intuitive readings in 1982 and co-founded a small New Age publishing company, Stillpoint Publishing in Walpole, New Hampshire, where she also worked as an editor in 1983, next she began consulting with holistic doctors, which in 1984, led to her extensive collaboration with Dr. Norman Shealy, an M.D. schooled at Harvard, and the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, with whom she later co-authored, "Aids: Passageway to Transformation," in 1987, followed by "The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses that Promote Health and Healing," in 1988. Deriving from her practice as a medical intuitive, she started writing books, in the field of energy medicine, and healing, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers.[18] Starting with Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (1996), which overlapped seven Christian sacraments with seven Hindu chakras and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life to create a map of the human "energy anatomy"; this was followed by Why People Don't Heal and How They Can (1998), which explored the reasons people do not heal through her concept of "woundology." Her next book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (2002) dealt with the issue of finding "Life Purpose," while describing Sacred Contracts as "a set of assignments that our soul had formed around before incarnation". She has since appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times.
By 2000, she discontinued doing private medical intuitive readings, and instead started teaching it, through her workshops, seminars, radio shows and guided tours. She tours internationally as a speaker on spirituality and mysticism, and lives in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. In 2003, she started the Caroline Myss Educational Institute, with Wisdom University in San Francisco.
Her 2007 book, "Entering the Castle" draws upon the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a 16th century Carmelite nun, who wrote her most important work, The Interior Castle, towards the end of her life.
In the course of her career, she interviewed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., the author of the famous book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, Chicago, which she completed in 1979. She also claims to hold a Ph.D in "intuition and energy medicine", but the degree was granted by Greenwich University, a now-defunct correspondence school that was never accredited to deliver higher education awards by any recognized government accreditation authority.
She started giving medical intuitive readings in 1982 and co-founded a small New Age publishing company, Stillpoint Publishing in Walpole, New Hampshire, where she also worked as an editor in 1983, next she began consulting with holistic doctors, which in 1984, led to her extensive collaboration with Dr. Norman Shealy, an M.D. schooled at Harvard, and the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, with whom she later co-authored, "Aids: Passageway to Transformation," in 1987, followed by "The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses that Promote Health and Healing," in 1988. Deriving from her practice as a medical intuitive, she started writing books, in the field of energy medicine, and healing, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers.[18] Starting with Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (1996), which overlapped seven Christian sacraments with seven Hindu chakras and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life to create a map of the human "energy anatomy"; this was followed by Why People Don't Heal and How They Can (1998), which explored the reasons people do not heal through her concept of "woundology." Her next book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (2002) dealt with the issue of finding "Life Purpose," while describing Sacred Contracts as "a set of assignments that our soul had formed around before incarnation". She has since appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times.
By 2000, she discontinued doing private medical intuitive readings, and instead started teaching it, through her workshops, seminars, radio shows and guided tours. She tours internationally as a speaker on spirituality and mysticism, and lives in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. In 2003, she started the Caroline Myss Educational Institute, with Wisdom University in San Francisco.
Her 2007 book, "Entering the Castle" draws upon the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a 16th century Carmelite nun, who wrote her most important work, The Interior Castle, towards the end of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 27, 2008
Definitely tops all of her other books, at least for me. In fact, this may be the best book I have ever read, as far as the effect it had on me. My favorite quote: "It takes great courage to look for God. It takes far greater courage to find God." When you truly find God, you will understand the meaning of this quote. To invite God to take over your life is to invoke Divine Chaos into your life. If you are not ready for this type of spiritual upheaval, don't enter the Castle.
I was excited when I started reading it, all set to start my mystical life. It wasn't long before the reading became so painful that I put it down and thought I might never pick it up again. It was too personal, it made me see things in myself that I'd never seen before and wasn't prepared to examine. If this is what it takes to be a mystic, I don't need it. If the book had been written by anyone else, I would have deposited it in the nearest waste receptacle and gone about my merry way. But I have too much respect for Caroline Myss to turn my back on and walk away from anything she says. Some of her words are harsh, but she calls it a she sees it. She has no choice, given the places she's gone, the things that have been revealed to her. I did the 'soul work" and got through one mansion after another. By the time I reached the fourth mansion, it was pure joy - the seventh mansion was ecstacy. I will definitely go back and revisit this book, when I am feeling strong enough.
I was excited when I started reading it, all set to start my mystical life. It wasn't long before the reading became so painful that I put it down and thought I might never pick it up again. It was too personal, it made me see things in myself that I'd never seen before and wasn't prepared to examine. If this is what it takes to be a mystic, I don't need it. If the book had been written by anyone else, I would have deposited it in the nearest waste receptacle and gone about my merry way. But I have too much respect for Caroline Myss to turn my back on and walk away from anything she says. Some of her words are harsh, but she calls it a she sees it. She has no choice, given the places she's gone, the things that have been revealed to her. I did the 'soul work" and got through one mansion after another. By the time I reached the fourth mansion, it was pure joy - the seventh mansion was ecstacy. I will definitely go back and revisit this book, when I am feeling strong enough.
January 2, 2010
I listened to the audio book, then purchased the print version to keep as a reference. Myss goes to the heart of what I believe to be the most important issue faced by human beings in our quest for happiness & healing - & that is forgiveness.
This is very deep stuff. I've said elsewhere that Myss is hard core. She makes no apologies for the fact that she has little regard for whiners! I find it humorous & at the same time, I appreciate her for it. I think this can be very helpful to those who tend to blame others for their unhappiness & can find plenty of therapists to "work" with them for years & years, at great expense, to get to the bottom of their pain (except that they never get there). Myss puts the responsibility square on the reader's shoulders, not dismissing that painful things have actually been experienced at the hands of others, but by her teaching that it is up to the individual to let go if they are ever to heal.
Myss draws heavily on her own Catholic background, but is able to use it as a backdrop rather than an antidote. She moves beyond religion into a more mystical, Universal experience that can, when practiced, lead the individual into a healed & holy (whole) life.
This is very deep stuff. I've said elsewhere that Myss is hard core. She makes no apologies for the fact that she has little regard for whiners! I find it humorous & at the same time, I appreciate her for it. I think this can be very helpful to those who tend to blame others for their unhappiness & can find plenty of therapists to "work" with them for years & years, at great expense, to get to the bottom of their pain (except that they never get there). Myss puts the responsibility square on the reader's shoulders, not dismissing that painful things have actually been experienced at the hands of others, but by her teaching that it is up to the individual to let go if they are ever to heal.
Myss draws heavily on her own Catholic background, but is able to use it as a backdrop rather than an antidote. She moves beyond religion into a more mystical, Universal experience that can, when practiced, lead the individual into a healed & holy (whole) life.
September 16, 2013
This book absolutely changed my life and continues to every day. I reference it every morning and continue to memorize prayers inside to help me embrace the power of prayer in this new, revolutionary way that Caroline Myss presents. Over the course of the 6 months I spent traveling through the rooms in this book I experienced a spiritual transformation unlike any other in my life. I can't imagine there are many people out there that would be able to endure through the entire process this book presents, but the rewards, the enlightenment is so, so very worth it. I never thought a book could be this pivotal in causing life change.
October 29, 2010
Caroline Myss, author of such books as Anatomy of Spirit and Why People Don't Heal, brings us a very different part of the metaphysical world. For this book, she discusses the work of Theresa of Avila, with whom she alleges she communicated with while she was writing the book. Dubious as it may sound, it is all the rage within the New Age community right now with Esther and Jerry Hicks' Abraham making communicating with the nonphysical all the more popular (though do not be mistaken. Myss does not endorse the Hicks' work). Yes, once an authority of Chakras and touting a PhD in Energy Medicine (which has surprisingly disappeared since the unaccredited nature of her doctorate program was discovered), now Myss has moved on to demonstrating the power of prayer to the masses.
There is enough spiritual work in this book to last you a lifetime, but do not be so eager to hop on board. Myss makes it clear that even if you do all this material, you still may not feel the grace of God. In fact, you may not even receive that healing you so desire. She explains that the world of healing is irrational and asks you to leave behind critical thinking and to exchange it with irrational thought. And even if you surrender completely to this irrational thought, God may very well not bestow his grace upon you. So what's the perk of following this? Beats me. But, if you are in the mood to be talked down to by someone who believes they are higher than thou and preached to about all the things you are doing wrong in your life, this is a must.
Though, I must be honest, I am more than skeptical of Myss' abilities. I emailed her in regards to the buzz about her alleged 93% accuracy rate in diagnosing illness. I have never heard back from any of her people about this. Watch her on youtube and it is clear that there is nothing enlightened about her. She exhibits every flaw that she would so readily hop on you about, so be wary of her words and do not be so willing to throw yourself down this rabbit hole.
There is enough spiritual work in this book to last you a lifetime, but do not be so eager to hop on board. Myss makes it clear that even if you do all this material, you still may not feel the grace of God. In fact, you may not even receive that healing you so desire. She explains that the world of healing is irrational and asks you to leave behind critical thinking and to exchange it with irrational thought. And even if you surrender completely to this irrational thought, God may very well not bestow his grace upon you. So what's the perk of following this? Beats me. But, if you are in the mood to be talked down to by someone who believes they are higher than thou and preached to about all the things you are doing wrong in your life, this is a must.
Though, I must be honest, I am more than skeptical of Myss' abilities. I emailed her in regards to the buzz about her alleged 93% accuracy rate in diagnosing illness. I have never heard back from any of her people about this. Watch her on youtube and it is clear that there is nothing enlightened about her. She exhibits every flaw that she would so readily hop on you about, so be wary of her words and do not be so willing to throw yourself down this rabbit hole.
April 27, 2013
It takes 100 pages before you enter the first mansion. Some of the material in the beginning is important, but I'm sorry, I just could not connect with the author's own personal experiences. Some of them just sounded to "new age" to me. Superficial is the word that comes to mind although I do not want to to discredit the author's experiences.[return][return]The author brings up a good point about the need for deeply spiritual people in the world. The author uses the term "monks without monasteries". It is a catchy phrase, but it confuses the purposes of different vocations. Both vocations call for personal sacrifices (a word not much used in this book), but they are directed toward different goals. The author belittles, or does not recognize the secondary function of monasteries as a conveyor belt to drive and supplement, to support and re-energize the spirituality of those working in the world. (The primary function of monasteries is beyond the book and this book review.)[return][return]It seems like the author is specifically looking for some kind of extraordinary experience of God. We all are. But St. John of the Cross and even St. Teresa of Avila herself, along with many other genuine mystics, urge not to seek, or even hope for, these kinds of *extraordinary* experiences. Although they can and do reinforce faith, they become distractions and obstacles for "the one thing necessary"--to love God for God, not for God's consolations and gifts.[return][return]There was also an alarming tone of lack of poverty of spirit throughout the book. The author waits too late to address humility in the book, and then it was a bit shallow. The author treats it almost as a drawback or turnoff to reading any further in the book. In too many places I wrote in the margin, "What about grace?" (One definition of grace, avoiding much Christian connotation, is the gift to see old things in a new way. It is a gift and not something that can be self-manufactured.) The author makes it sound like *you* yourself are responsible for working your way through all the mansions of the castle. Yes, the first couple mansions require *work* on your part, but even through these, God is still doing the *real work*. You have to show up and choose to cooperate. Yes, you have to do your homework, but only grace (energy, power, or whatever term one uses) from God will empower you to do so, not your own volition. Without sincere, deep, and total humility, St. Teresa said that it is impossible to progress through the mansions regardless of how much one wants. (Read Johannes Baptist Metz's small book, [[ASIN:0809137992 Poverty of Spirit]] if you really want to understand humility and realize/live true poverty of spirit.)[return][return]In a spirit of ecumenical/all-faiths dialog, the author has sacrificed the beauty and depth of St. Teresa's original, albeit Christian, metaphors and symbols. The author decides to use the word "reptiles" instead of St. Teresa's word "snakes" for evils and worldly temptations. The word "love", although loaded with connotations, seems to be used very sparingly by the author. St. Teresa's word for God, the object of her total desire and commitment, was her "Beloved". This one missing word makes entering the Interior Castle more of an abstraction or exercise of improving ones self-esteem instead of the infinitely more personal and real seeking union with God.[return][return]The questions the author asks within each mansions do assist one along the proper path as outlined by St. Teresa. One should be aware that there are many other questions (and rooms) within each mansion that have not *yet* been explored by the book. It is also important to remember that it is not a sequential, linear progression as the author notes.[return][return]The detailed imagery the author uses to describe each room and mansion may help many people, but remember the whole idea of the Interior Castle was to be a metaphor/symbol for the *real* journey. Each room and mansion is just a signpost to where you are suppose to go, to some place to visit within. Do not get attached to the signposts, to the imagery of symbols and metaphors. Since St. Teresa was an apophatic mystic, all of the words and imagery themselves will eventually have to be left behind any way in order to seek union with the God above all concepts.[return][return]If this book gives you some insight, great. But I recommend reading the original from St. Teresa. Although this author adds much helpful psychology (which is different in many ways than spirituality), too much is lost and sacrificed in the translation.
April 7, 2007
See my discussion.
1st section
What humility Is
graciousness
looking in the mirror to see/accept ourselves as we truly are
personal power
equality
internal strength
wisdom
compassion
centeredness
quietness
generosity
rest (confidence)
fearlessness
gratitude
service to others
surrendering
What humility is not
groveling
"poor me"
being lesser than
martyrdom
accepting others'mistaken opinions of us
fear
shrinking away from joy
timidity, mousiness, and giving up
having nothing to give
inconfidence/inequality/smallness
debasing oneself
"I don't deserve" attitude
avoiding others
1st section
What humility Is
graciousness
looking in the mirror to see/accept ourselves as we truly are
personal power
equality
internal strength
wisdom
compassion
centeredness
quietness
generosity
rest (confidence)
fearlessness
gratitude
service to others
surrendering
What humility is not
groveling
"poor me"
being lesser than
martyrdom
accepting others'mistaken opinions of us
fear
shrinking away from joy
timidity, mousiness, and giving up
having nothing to give
inconfidence/inequality/smallness
debasing oneself
"I don't deserve" attitude
avoiding others
Want to read
January 24, 2011Oliver DeMille say this about this book and I wanted to take note of it for when I read it:
"This path to the divine is similar to Joseph Campbell's classic Path of the Hero, but with powerful differences, nuances, twists and turns. It is very different than the success path taught by school counselors and career guidance experts. Those familiar with Campbell will find it familiar but brand new; and those who haven't read Campbell will likely find the discovery of this path an epiphany.
My favorite part was mansion three. Or---maybe Myss's wonderfully personal preface. Both took real courage to write. Whatever you think of the book---like or dislike---Myss's worldview is a contender in the twenty-first century dialog. If you've ever struggled and worked to make a difference in the world, or wanted to, you'll learn a lot from this book. One of the best things about it is the order and organization of the path we must take if we want to improve ourselves and the world. Just knowing what to expect on such a path and what to do at each step is invaluable. Amazingly, despite its language and focus, it is one of the least abstract and most practical books I've ever read.
I can't say much more without giving away the seven castles, and they're too unpredictable to summarize. You just have to experience their surprises one by one. As such, the book is part mystery and part self-help, part seven-act classic and part historical novel. And though Myss uses words like spiritual, divine, soul, mystical, etc., her philosophy is more than merely metaphysical. Like Ken Wilber says in the forward: "It is scientific---in the sense of experimental, experiential, and evidential. Try...and see for yourself. It's an interior scientific experiment."
"This path to the divine is similar to Joseph Campbell's classic Path of the Hero, but with powerful differences, nuances, twists and turns. It is very different than the success path taught by school counselors and career guidance experts. Those familiar with Campbell will find it familiar but brand new; and those who haven't read Campbell will likely find the discovery of this path an epiphany.
My favorite part was mansion three. Or---maybe Myss's wonderfully personal preface. Both took real courage to write. Whatever you think of the book---like or dislike---Myss's worldview is a contender in the twenty-first century dialog. If you've ever struggled and worked to make a difference in the world, or wanted to, you'll learn a lot from this book. One of the best things about it is the order and organization of the path we must take if we want to improve ourselves and the world. Just knowing what to expect on such a path and what to do at each step is invaluable. Amazingly, despite its language and focus, it is one of the least abstract and most practical books I've ever read.
I can't say much more without giving away the seven castles, and they're too unpredictable to summarize. You just have to experience their surprises one by one. As such, the book is part mystery and part self-help, part seven-act classic and part historical novel. And though Myss uses words like spiritual, divine, soul, mystical, etc., her philosophy is more than merely metaphysical. Like Ken Wilber says in the forward: "It is scientific---in the sense of experimental, experiential, and evidential. Try...and see for yourself. It's an interior scientific experiment."
November 19, 2012
St. Teresa was declared to have been a doctor of the Catholic church, as such her words were considered on par with doctrine. For someone to look upon her work and declare it to be mystical in the sense of a modern declaration of one's union with the cosmos would be to treat such with nothing short of intellectual dishonesty and for no other purpose than personal self-deluded promotion. Clearly Myss has no problem with this, nor does she have any issue with misrepresenting so many others' thoughts and ideas in her quest to create something so utterly witless in the hope of it being called revolutionary. Unfortunately many do fall under the spell of poor writing, half-formed ideas, and an emotionalism that would be profound if weren't so clearly bound to bad ideas. The only contribution, and this a small one, is the usage of a quite common metaphor for considering one's life, that of a castle (or house of many rooms). Here the reader can, albeit by projecting all of their own notions onto the script, not looking at the author's own message, find some room for spiritual growth. However, like Dan Brown is to fiction (a horrendous charlatan), Myss is to spiritual teaching. There are those who make better claims, with better writing, and without hastening to grossly misrepresent a host of others' thoughts.
April 18, 2014
After having read The Interior Castle by St.Teresa de Avila I can say that I really loved this book! It helped me to better understand the Castle, and the rooms of the soul that St. Teresa spoke of in her book. I loved how this book gave you what was referred to as "soul work" in each of the rooms, and I look forward to exploring these rooms again and again. I will keep this book on my "keeper" shelf for many more revisits.
Favorite passage from book:
Think of your life as it is now. what would you like to change about it? What would you release from your past? What fears would you let go and what negative attitudes or jealousies would you exercise if you had the chance? Would your life be better or worse if you were free of your frars? Whether or not you continue on to meet God, your life would be much richer without the reptiles in your soul. One way or another you are destined to make this journey that is the divine paradox. You cannot avoid confronting yourself, no matter which path in life you take. Your only real choice is whether you walk that path as a lonely body or as a body with a soul.
Favorite passage from book:
Think of your life as it is now. what would you like to change about it? What would you release from your past? What fears would you let go and what negative attitudes or jealousies would you exercise if you had the chance? Would your life be better or worse if you were free of your frars? Whether or not you continue on to meet God, your life would be much richer without the reptiles in your soul. One way or another you are destined to make this journey that is the divine paradox. You cannot avoid confronting yourself, no matter which path in life you take. Your only real choice is whether you walk that path as a lonely body or as a body with a soul.
September 12, 2011
I have many thoughts about "Entering The Castle". I could write a book about this book! lol
I respect Carolyn Myss. --- However--I think she is 'off' the mark in her approach with this topic - in the 2nd half of her book. She is 'not' a therapist. Myss asks 'too much' of the reader --- being too serious about her own topic/style in which things must be done *devoted* to discover your soul...
--too many rules about 'how-to-do' each room in the Castle. Who voted Myss Queen on Mystic teachings? (She's best when speaking about ENERGY MEDICINE ---body/mind connections,IMO).
Myss says New age is now middle age which needs a make over. (ok, I think that's *funny*). ----but HER make-over??? Not for the life of me ---would I believe for a second that people would first even FINISH her book ---the way its to be read (as she suggests)--- to do the work --as she suggests.....to make over ANYTHING ---which would shifted people deeper int their experience of GOD. (not from her book anyway).
Imagine this: (I suppose Myss has this vision)
A critical mass ---a huge number of people in this world ---ALL having transformed-- seeing things "THE MYSS WAY", from her teachings in the book--- adopt her new rituals and rules, (daily prayer :she has taught all the people HOW to do it)...and THEN EVERYONE will *EXPERIENCE* TRUE connection to GOD and their TRUE soul purpose.
HOG-WASH!
I think this book has potential to 'mess' with people's heads. (without professional help/support could be add to depression for some people).
However, I'll still give Myss 3 stars. She makes good points in the book. (Myss has love and passion--so how could I ever fault that??)
However, if you read this book:---keep yourself 'light' at times,.....(its valuable to take an honest look at yourself)...but let go of it...move on....
and if you want to know the way to the castle.......(don't worry about the rooms in the book or doing things right --or writing things down, IMO),
Instead:
Go jump in a hot tub--
or skip along the ocean----
or have hot sex with you lover---
and just remember----"life is good".....(much of the time)
I respect Carolyn Myss. --- However--I think she is 'off' the mark in her approach with this topic - in the 2nd half of her book. She is 'not' a therapist. Myss asks 'too much' of the reader --- being too serious about her own topic/style in which things must be done *devoted* to discover your soul...
--too many rules about 'how-to-do' each room in the Castle. Who voted Myss Queen on Mystic teachings? (She's best when speaking about ENERGY MEDICINE ---body/mind connections,IMO).
Myss says New age is now middle age which needs a make over. (ok, I think that's *funny*). ----but HER make-over??? Not for the life of me ---would I believe for a second that people would first even FINISH her book ---the way its to be read (as she suggests)--- to do the work --as she suggests.....to make over ANYTHING ---which would shifted people deeper int their experience of GOD. (not from her book anyway).
Imagine this: (I suppose Myss has this vision)
A critical mass ---a huge number of people in this world ---ALL having transformed-- seeing things "THE MYSS WAY", from her teachings in the book--- adopt her new rituals and rules, (daily prayer :she has taught all the people HOW to do it)...and THEN EVERYONE will *EXPERIENCE* TRUE connection to GOD and their TRUE soul purpose.
HOG-WASH!
I think this book has potential to 'mess' with people's heads. (without professional help/support could be add to depression for some people).
However, I'll still give Myss 3 stars. She makes good points in the book. (Myss has love and passion--so how could I ever fault that??)
However, if you read this book:---keep yourself 'light' at times,.....(its valuable to take an honest look at yourself)...but let go of it...move on....
and if you want to know the way to the castle.......(don't worry about the rooms in the book or doing things right --or writing things down, IMO),
Instead:
Go jump in a hot tub--
or skip along the ocean----
or have hot sex with you lover---
and just remember----"life is good".....(much of the time)
April 22, 2013
Fantastic visualization for the process of coming clean with your own thoughts, your own needs, etc in order to be ready for the journey ahead: a channel for Grace in this world. The need for lots of personal work is a continuing and honest theme supported by many of the world faiths. And as always, Caroline does a great job of holding your feet to the fire, of making you own what is yours, of not letting you off easy, and not telling you this will be an easy process. But the reward is beautiful and so worth the work. Onward we go... into the Castle that is our soul...
May 4, 2014
I was excited to read this book, but I'm giving up on it half way through. The author's style in this book isn't helpful to me. She comes across as angry, bitter and not compassionate. Several times she's told the audience to "get over it." She may be right, but this approach is unlikely to help the average person. I'm very disappointed as I've read many of her other books and enjoyed them. I will not be finishing this one.
November 13, 2018
A wonderful book that even after finishing it, is helping me. Bringing me closer to God and dealing with the baggage that has been a block to knowing my soul and my relationship with God.
December 21, 2021
I was so gland that I did not waste my money on this book, getting it for only a dollar at a second-hand shop, that is soon going to be return there.
Now, this book took my interest as it kept popping up in my reading lists. Hence, I only got it because it claims to teach the modern spiritually that is link to St Theresa Avila’s great spiritual classical – The Interior Castle. However, this book has nothing link to the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church, which St. Teresa has been blessed as a doctor of the Catholic church. Instead, this book covers truths from all the transcendental and mystical traditions throughout the western world. Since, within a chapter she could be speaking about the prophet Job and then modern Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. Then, she goes on to speak about the Enlightenment philosophers of Descartes, Lock and Hobbs. And, God is just spoken to has God. Not, the son, saviour of Creator. Only, God the Loving One. Thus, its just a mixture spiritual and mystical concepts, combined together to prompt her views and feelings within the book.
A very disappointment read for me.
Now, this book took my interest as it kept popping up in my reading lists. Hence, I only got it because it claims to teach the modern spiritually that is link to St Theresa Avila’s great spiritual classical – The Interior Castle. However, this book has nothing link to the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church, which St. Teresa has been blessed as a doctor of the Catholic church. Instead, this book covers truths from all the transcendental and mystical traditions throughout the western world. Since, within a chapter she could be speaking about the prophet Job and then modern Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. Then, she goes on to speak about the Enlightenment philosophers of Descartes, Lock and Hobbs. And, God is just spoken to has God. Not, the son, saviour of Creator. Only, God the Loving One. Thus, its just a mixture spiritual and mystical concepts, combined together to prompt her views and feelings within the book.
A very disappointment read for me.
January 2, 2017
An easy introduction to the mystic, Teresa of Ávila, and the life of Caroline Myss.
"Let nothing disturb you. God alone suffices." - Teresa of Ávila
It takes courage to get to know your soul. This is because, once you do come to know it -- and engage its power and live according to its authority -- the divine itself will come to call. Once you are conscious of your soul, you are likely to be 'called.' Facing that call requires courage because it can take you to both intensely dark and intensely light places.
To be a mystic without a monastery means that you make a conscious decision to stop being motivated by fear -- fear that you don't have enough, that you have to have more to meet your basic needs. And you replace that fear with faith and compassion.
Exploring Spiritual Companionships
Room 1: Loneliness - Be compassionate with yourself. This is a very difficult room.
Room 2: Are New Thoughts Stirring within Your Soul? Be still, listen, observe, pray.
Room 3: What Unknown Territory Could Soul Companions Help You Explore? Honor your journey and honor your process.
Room 4: You Can Be Difficult - Admit it. Take note of your stubborn patterns; relinquish control.
Room 5: Enter the Mystery of the Unknown - The unknown represents God
Room 6: Illuminate Who and What You Judge - Melt the harsh tendency. Dissolve judgmentalism
Room 7: Illuminate Your Fear of Losing an Ordinary Life - You want a safe life, perhaps. Is that your vision of contentment and fulfillment of your soul's highest potential?
Room 8: Practice Illumination in the Moment -Pause and consciously reframe what you are looking at. Find God in conversations, passages in literature, vistas in nature, and difficult situations
Commitment to God
You no longer consider your daily workout a discipline at all. It has become simply a way of life that maintains your vitality and stamina. Not everyone has what it takes to make the commitment.
The first thing is that the most difficult part of developing body fitness is committing to a daily routine. The early days are the most difficult. But you have to be willing to put time into the program w/o seeing results in the early days. Genuine transformations do not come about easily. Success = Commitment + Faith in the outcome + Trust
The Mystical Heart
Remember: If you want to make progress on the path and ascend to the places you have longed for, the important thing is not to think much but to love much, and so to do whatever best awakens you to love - The Interior Castle, Starr
In this state of prayer, nothing can be seen -- not in the ordinary seeing, anyway -- not even in the imagination - Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle, Starr
A Moment of Contemplation
Your union with God is a union of a human soul and a cosmic force. As above, so below. By entering your Castle, you no longer leave the world, but empower yourself within the world. You are learning to love heaven and Earth, God and self, to be one with the soul of humanity. The exploration of your Castle is indeed long, but what a worth journey it is.
Exit Prayer
I am a channel of grace. As I leave my Castle, grace surrounds me and grace protects me. I enter my life under the blessing of God and remain open to receive guidance from my soul.
What is the greatest gift we can give the world? A fully healthy you.
Instructions
- Pray every day
- Be virtuous. Be kind of heart and compassionate
- Don't shrink. Be bold and stand for your principles
- Take care of your physical body. It is a gift from God, and an important vehicle for the soul.
Mystics have the courage to see through common fears. They see beyond calls for destruction and violence as means for solving problems. They see the contradictions in statements like war creates peace.
Essential Guidance for Mystics
Maintain your work in the Castle
Practice Illumination
Develop and share the gifts of your soul - do not keep your talents hidden, not be shy about your capacity to see a problem clearly and understand its symbolic message. Always stay humble.
Keep alert
Avoid power plays
Fly under the radar - Never put yourself in a position to be criticized for your spiritual practices
Stop blaming others - Focus only on understanding the motivations behind your choices
Don't use the word 'deserve' - That is a cosmic position only.
Let your first response in any situation be, "What can I do?"
Channel grace
Form a circle of grace with soul companions - such friends are essential to your well being
Live congruently - make sure your mind and heart are in agreement with your soul in action
Be devoted to truth
Stay active in the world - do not run and hide
You are a source for healing
Remain active in your Castle - Appreciate the presence of the divine in details of your life every day.
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God lacks for nothing.
God alone suffices.
- Teresa of Ávila
"Let nothing disturb you. God alone suffices." - Teresa of Ávila
It takes courage to get to know your soul. This is because, once you do come to know it -- and engage its power and live according to its authority -- the divine itself will come to call. Once you are conscious of your soul, you are likely to be 'called.' Facing that call requires courage because it can take you to both intensely dark and intensely light places.
To be a mystic without a monastery means that you make a conscious decision to stop being motivated by fear -- fear that you don't have enough, that you have to have more to meet your basic needs. And you replace that fear with faith and compassion.
Exploring Spiritual Companionships
Room 1: Loneliness - Be compassionate with yourself. This is a very difficult room.
Room 2: Are New Thoughts Stirring within Your Soul? Be still, listen, observe, pray.
Room 3: What Unknown Territory Could Soul Companions Help You Explore? Honor your journey and honor your process.
Room 4: You Can Be Difficult - Admit it. Take note of your stubborn patterns; relinquish control.
Room 5: Enter the Mystery of the Unknown - The unknown represents God
Room 6: Illuminate Who and What You Judge - Melt the harsh tendency. Dissolve judgmentalism
Room 7: Illuminate Your Fear of Losing an Ordinary Life - You want a safe life, perhaps. Is that your vision of contentment and fulfillment of your soul's highest potential?
Room 8: Practice Illumination in the Moment -Pause and consciously reframe what you are looking at. Find God in conversations, passages in literature, vistas in nature, and difficult situations
Commitment to God
You no longer consider your daily workout a discipline at all. It has become simply a way of life that maintains your vitality and stamina. Not everyone has what it takes to make the commitment.
The first thing is that the most difficult part of developing body fitness is committing to a daily routine. The early days are the most difficult. But you have to be willing to put time into the program w/o seeing results in the early days. Genuine transformations do not come about easily. Success = Commitment + Faith in the outcome + Trust
The Mystical Heart
Remember: If you want to make progress on the path and ascend to the places you have longed for, the important thing is not to think much but to love much, and so to do whatever best awakens you to love - The Interior Castle, Starr
In this state of prayer, nothing can be seen -- not in the ordinary seeing, anyway -- not even in the imagination - Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle, Starr
A Moment of Contemplation
Your union with God is a union of a human soul and a cosmic force. As above, so below. By entering your Castle, you no longer leave the world, but empower yourself within the world. You are learning to love heaven and Earth, God and self, to be one with the soul of humanity. The exploration of your Castle is indeed long, but what a worth journey it is.
Exit Prayer
I am a channel of grace. As I leave my Castle, grace surrounds me and grace protects me. I enter my life under the blessing of God and remain open to receive guidance from my soul.
What is the greatest gift we can give the world? A fully healthy you.
Instructions
- Pray every day
- Be virtuous. Be kind of heart and compassionate
- Don't shrink. Be bold and stand for your principles
- Take care of your physical body. It is a gift from God, and an important vehicle for the soul.
Mystics have the courage to see through common fears. They see beyond calls for destruction and violence as means for solving problems. They see the contradictions in statements like war creates peace.
Essential Guidance for Mystics
Maintain your work in the Castle
Practice Illumination
Develop and share the gifts of your soul - do not keep your talents hidden, not be shy about your capacity to see a problem clearly and understand its symbolic message. Always stay humble.
Keep alert
Avoid power plays
Fly under the radar - Never put yourself in a position to be criticized for your spiritual practices
Stop blaming others - Focus only on understanding the motivations behind your choices
Don't use the word 'deserve' - That is a cosmic position only.
Let your first response in any situation be, "What can I do?"
Channel grace
Form a circle of grace with soul companions - such friends are essential to your well being
Live congruently - make sure your mind and heart are in agreement with your soul in action
Be devoted to truth
Stay active in the world - do not run and hide
You are a source for healing
Remain active in your Castle - Appreciate the presence of the divine in details of your life every day.
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God lacks for nothing.
God alone suffices.
- Teresa of Ávila
April 29, 2022
This book was gifted to me from my mom at Christmas. I’m typically a voracious reader and my appetite for books seems to never be filled. I think it’s so important to take breaks from fiction and delve into books for the soul that you have been either consciously or subconsciously seeking all along. Truly food for your soul ✨
The mention of Eastern mysticism and Bhagavad Gita with the mention of Krishna is false doctrine. Don’t be deceived by “New Age” practices. Spiritual hysteria is such an interesting concept to me. I didn’t agree with certain points and comments she made, but overall enjoyed the message she was conveying.
The mention of Eastern mysticism and Bhagavad Gita with the mention of Krishna is false doctrine. Don’t be deceived by “New Age” practices. Spiritual hysteria is such an interesting concept to me. I didn’t agree with certain points and comments she made, but overall enjoyed the message she was conveying.
August 24, 2024
I decided to DNF around 60% of the way through. I hate not finishing a book, but there are too many others calling for me, and this one just didn't feel too relevant for me, personally. The writing was nice. The subject matter and advice were also nice and insightful. I just couldn't get myself onboard her flavor of spiritual journey. A majority of this book is about asking yourself specific questions to help create greater self-awareness around the false beliefs we tend to hold onto about God and spirituality. In general, pretty useful and a good read if you're willing to sit and do all of the contemplation and journal work she asks you to do.
May 20, 2010
If you prefer to stay unconscious, do not pick up this book. The spiritual language alone will not just rustle your soul gently out of a slumber, it will roar it to life in a way from which there is no return.
To accept the challenge of becoming a modern mystic is compelling, frightening, and once accepted, there is no way back--none-only cognitive and spiritual dissonance.
Read this one with someone you love and people who are seeking an authentic life.
To accept the challenge of becoming a modern mystic is compelling, frightening, and once accepted, there is no way back--none-only cognitive and spiritual dissonance.
Read this one with someone you love and people who are seeking an authentic life.
Read
September 26, 2011Using Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle as a guide, Entering the Castle is a both a field guide and workbook for the most intense and rigorous seekers. Casual readers will throw this book away, as its intent is not to entertain, but to enlighten. If having soul stamina and being a mystic without a monastery are your life goals, enter the castle. Otherwise, go watch TV. This is an amazingly thorough guide into the interior life and its barriers.
May 30, 2012
A friend had recommended this to me but I seem to be in a different place than when I read Myss' work 20 years ago.... didn't really enjoy it. Didn't make me feel like it was anything that I was drawn to
November 2, 2012
I ended up scanning most of this book. It seems overly complicated. There are some good concepts, but she takes so long to describe them that I got bored. I think it might be a good introductory book, but a lot of the ideas were so well known to me that I wasn't really into it.
August 1, 2018
Truly one of her absolute best. This is very in depth, a meditation on letting each ‘room’ that is holding us back go, and in building each block that gets past negativity into spiritual love and forgiveness to leading a positive life of higher calling. Loved it.
August 24, 2022
I was so moved by St. Teresa’s writing in “Interior Castle” that I really looked forward to what Myss had to say. There was just a lot of self-help mumbo-jumbo and nothing of the transcendence of the person of Jesus Christ in Myss’ book. Very disappointed.
May 14, 2011
This is a complex methodology of how to pray. Although a group of friends wanted to use this as a guide for study, we got bogged down and gave up. I may never finish it.
Currently reading
July 18, 2011Working my way through this book. Go back to the beginning often and there is a different level to what you have read before.
April 19, 2012
This is an awesome book but it needs to be read with conviction ;-) It requires commitment, hard work and sincerity to make it through.
August 18, 2017
I decided not to finish this book - it simply is not for me. I have no intention of becoming a mystic and the tone of the writing was too much like a 'forced march' into the castle.
October 13, 2021
Her tone became too self -righteous to continue reading. I would still be interested to read Theresa Avila's original.
July 12, 2017
Some well-meaning person once recommended this to me as a teenager, and it’s taken me a while to add it to my account for one simple reason: I’m embarrassed that I read it.
It’s rare that I leave books reviews – If I love a book, I’d rather share my enthusiasm with people I know, and if I don’t, I’d generally prefer to have a discussion than downrate or pan it online. The exception is when I consider a book potentially harmful, and this fits the bill.
For people with no background on her, Caroline Myss is a woman who formerly claimed to have a PhD in “Energy Medicine” – an accreditation she’s since removed from her book covers since the course was discredited. She has claimed repeatedly to be able to intuit a diagnosis over the phone or by looking at people, claims psychic abilities like being able to tell how many marriages a person has had, talks repeatedly about how clearing your chakras will heal you. If that doesn’t scream snake oil to you already, this book contains references to a paid course which was targeted specifically to sick people in need of healing, and the book itself is subtly marketed to this potentially vulnerable audience. Actually, most of her books are marketed this way, with the target audience being people who are in search of either cures or an identity. Another book of hers even comes with “You can heal any illness” on the back cover.
In this book, Myss starts by stating that during a seizure, she communicated with a Catholic Saint, Teresa of Avila, who spoke to her beyond the grave. She continued along this thread, saying that once Teresa revealed the secrets of inner work with God to her that she held a course targeted at sick people wishing to be healed and makes the yet more irresponsible claim of saying that an elderly woman’s rheumatoid arthritis had been healed as a result. Not that she coped better through the types of visualizations Myss outlines, but physically healed.
The rest of the book is visualizations and contemplations for people who wish to be healed, all with the following contradictory message at its core: while you may do all the good work to heal yourself with Myss’ techniques of contacting your soul (and of course, she did open this book with a miraculous story to make her case), despite the fact that this amazing power can be accessed through the exercises in this book, even if you do everything right, the answer to your prayers might still be no, because God is fundamentally irrational. That said, you should buy her book and do it anyway.
Toxic messages aside, like any New Age or self help book probably is, this book is peppered with occasional truths that are the type you could find in any philosophy book, in addition to questions that any self-contemplating people would ask themselves. I’d say that the messages underpinning this book and Myss’ lessons are, as a result, are kind of like poison: if it wasn’t mixed with a bit of wine, nobody would drink it.
It’s rare that I leave books reviews – If I love a book, I’d rather share my enthusiasm with people I know, and if I don’t, I’d generally prefer to have a discussion than downrate or pan it online. The exception is when I consider a book potentially harmful, and this fits the bill.
For people with no background on her, Caroline Myss is a woman who formerly claimed to have a PhD in “Energy Medicine” – an accreditation she’s since removed from her book covers since the course was discredited. She has claimed repeatedly to be able to intuit a diagnosis over the phone or by looking at people, claims psychic abilities like being able to tell how many marriages a person has had, talks repeatedly about how clearing your chakras will heal you. If that doesn’t scream snake oil to you already, this book contains references to a paid course which was targeted specifically to sick people in need of healing, and the book itself is subtly marketed to this potentially vulnerable audience. Actually, most of her books are marketed this way, with the target audience being people who are in search of either cures or an identity. Another book of hers even comes with “You can heal any illness” on the back cover.
In this book, Myss starts by stating that during a seizure, she communicated with a Catholic Saint, Teresa of Avila, who spoke to her beyond the grave. She continued along this thread, saying that once Teresa revealed the secrets of inner work with God to her that she held a course targeted at sick people wishing to be healed and makes the yet more irresponsible claim of saying that an elderly woman’s rheumatoid arthritis had been healed as a result. Not that she coped better through the types of visualizations Myss outlines, but physically healed.
The rest of the book is visualizations and contemplations for people who wish to be healed, all with the following contradictory message at its core: while you may do all the good work to heal yourself with Myss’ techniques of contacting your soul (and of course, she did open this book with a miraculous story to make her case), despite the fact that this amazing power can be accessed through the exercises in this book, even if you do everything right, the answer to your prayers might still be no, because God is fundamentally irrational. That said, you should buy her book and do it anyway.
Toxic messages aside, like any New Age or self help book probably is, this book is peppered with occasional truths that are the type you could find in any philosophy book, in addition to questions that any self-contemplating people would ask themselves. I’d say that the messages underpinning this book and Myss’ lessons are, as a result, are kind of like poison: if it wasn’t mixed with a bit of wine, nobody would drink it.
April 14, 2025
Powerful book that can and will change your life. Recommend the audiobook as well. I do agree with some other reviews that it can feel a bit mentally forced what you have to do in regards to work in mansions and rooms. Though I do love Caroline Myss style of writing and explaining, to the point and cuts out the unnecessary. Over the course of this book and few other resources I went from being non religious to becoming a christian, an unexpected turn but a delightful one. I did end up not finishing the rooms and mansions as I felt I had gained enough insight for the journey to happen naturally over time rather than through constant mental work. I applaud anyone who does go all the way through, but I feel at some point your surrender takes you there by itself. It's not for everyone but if you have what it takes you can find a bliss that is like no other. love to everyone
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