7 Think over this comparison very carefully God grant it may enlighten you about the different kinds of graces He is pleased to bestow upon the soul.

Let us imagine, as I said, that there are many rooms in this castle, of which some are above, some below, others at the side in the centre, in the very midst of them all, is the principal chamber in which God and the soul hold their most secret intercourse. Therefore we do little to preserve their beauty all our care is concentrated on our bodies, which are but the coarse setting of the diamond, or the outer walls of the castle. Rarely do we reflect upon what gifts our souls may possess, Who dwells within them, or how extremely precious they are. Nothing of our nature except that we possess bodies, and only to realize vaguely that we have souls, because people say so and it is a doctrine of faith. Would it not be gross ignorance, my daughters, if, when a man was questioned about his name, or country, or parents, he could not answer? Stupid as this would be, it is unspeakably more foolish to care to learn It is no small misfortune and disgrace that, through our own fault, we neither understand our nature nor our origin. As this is so, we need not tire ourselves by trying to realize all the beauty of this castle, although, being His creature, there is all the difference between the soul and God that there is between the creature and the Creator the fact that it is made in God's image teaches us how great are its dignity and loveliness. 4 What, do you imagine, must that dwelling be in which a King so mighty, so wise, and so pure, containing in Himself all good, can delight to rest? Nothing can be compared to the great beauty and capabilities of a soul however keen our intellects may be, they are as unable to comprehend them as to comprehend God, for, as He has told us, He created us in His own image and likeness. 3 If we reflect, sisters, we shall see that the soul of the just man is but a paradise, in which, God tells us, He takes His delight. I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, 1 formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal, 2 and containing many rooms, just as in WHILE I was begging our Lord to-day to speak for me, since I knew not what to say nor how to commence this work which obedience has laid upon me, an idea occurred to me which I will explain, and which will serve as a foundation for that I am about to write.Ģ. Why all souls do not receive certain favours.

THE ADVANTAGE OF KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS AND THE FAVOURS GOD GRANTS TO US IS SHOWN, AND HOW PRAYER IS THE GATE OF THE SPIRITUAL CASTLE.ġ. THIS CHAPTER TREATS OF THE BEAUTY AND DIGNITY OF OUR SOULS AND MAKES A COMPARISON TO EXPLAIN THIS. Sacred Texts Christianity Index Previous Next The Interior Castle: The First Mansions: Chapter I.

Teresa of avila seven mansions