The Interior Castle

by John Dalton; Teresa of Avila

Publisher:

T. Jones

, 1852

Overview

A true masterpiece of spiritual reflection, Interior Castle contains the autobiographical journey of St. Teresa of Ávila. She describes the spiritual life as a castle with many levels. Each individual begins in the lowest level of the castle steeped in the awareness of sin and a passion for spiritual maturity. As her metaphor unfolds, St. Teresa devotes a considerable amount of time to the contemplative life and the soul’s union with God. St. Teresa was plagued by constant illness and pain, making her spiritual meditations a vivid and tangible expression of devotion to Jesus Christ.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Let us, therefore, endeavour to advance more in this way, for, in my opinion, we shall never be able to know ourselves, except we endeavour to know God. By considering His greatness, we discover our own baseness; by contemplating His purity, we discover our own filthiness, and beholding His humility, we shall discover how far we are from being truly humble.” (Pages 11–12)

“This point, however, I wish you to notice, viz., in order to make great advance in this way, and to be able to ascend to the mansions we desire, we must remember that the business does not consist in thinking, but in loving much; do therefore whatever may excite you most to love. Perhaps we do not know what love is; and I do not wonder at it, for it consists not in having greater delights, but greater resolutions and desires of pleasing God in everything, and in endeavouring, as much as possible, not to offend Him, and in beseeching Him that He would promote the honour and glory of His Son, and extend the bounds of the Catholic Church. These are signs of love. Do not imagine that it consists in not thinking on anything else, and that all is lost if you have a few distractions.” (Pages 44–45)

“Let us remember, daughters, that true perfection consists in the love of God and our neighbour; the more perfectly we observe these two precepts, the more perfect we shall be.” (Page 16)

“‘this knowledge of ourselves’ is so very important, that I wish you never to admit any relaxation therein, however highly elevated you may be, because while we live on this earth, nothing is more necessary for us than humility.” (Page 11)

Product Details

• Title: The Interior Castle
• Author: St. Teresa of Ávila
• Translator: John Dalton
• Publisher: Dublin: James Duffy
• Publication Date: 1866
• Pages: 272

About St. Teresa of Ávila

St. Teresa of Ávila was a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with St. John of the Cross. She wrote several books and was a prominent Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and theologian. She spent her life in Spain and died in 1582.