St. Teresa’s Interior Castle

 

"I am like a parrot, who has learned to talk, only knowing what it has been taught or heard; it repeats the same thing over and over".

Why a castle?

The origin of St. Teresa’s Interior Castle came after she received a vision from Christ, picturing “the soul as if it were a castle made of a single diamond or of a very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions” (1). In the centre of crystal castle is the Sun, or the King, who gives all the splendour and beauty to the rest of the castle. The closer we approach the centre, the greater the light. Note that this vision bears remarkable similarities to the final vision in the New Testament: chapter 21 of the book of Revelation (private and public revelation matchup). Also, note that the seven mansions are more of a continuity (a gradual and imperceptible growth) rather than separate rooms. It is not like a video game where we jump from one level to the next.

2 reasons to study St. Teresa’s Interior Castle:

1. Self-knowledge: By knowing all of the stages of growth in prayer, we come to know almost automatically where we are on the journey – something St. Teresa insisted on. With this knowledge, we will how the best way to approach prayer (since we pray differently according to the stage one’s prayer has reached).
2. Encouragement: When we understand the sacrifices and difficulties that are a normal part of the journey to our destination, we will not be surprised but rather encouraged to see our growth along the way. Also, when we know the joys of contemplative fulfilment, we will be much more likely to make the sacrifices that are entailed in reaching it.