The book «Interior Castle» is a masterpiece of Christian spirituality written by Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church. It is an exploration of the soul’s journey towards union with God, and it is considered one of the greatest works of Christian mysticism.

Summary

The book is structured around a metaphor of a castle with seven rooms, each representing a stage of spiritual development. Teresa of Avila’s writing is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Throughout the book, Teresa of Avila emphasizes the importance of prayer and contemplation in the spiritual life. She also stresses the need for humility, detachment from worldly possessions, and a deep commitment to serving others.

What makes the «Interior Castle» so powerful is its ability to speak directly to the human heart. Teresa of Avila writes with a profound understanding of the human condition, and her insights into the nature of God and the soul are both inspiring and challenging.

Overall, this book is a timeless classic of Christian spirituality that continues to inspire and guide readers to this day. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and to explore the mysteries of the human soul.

In the following pages, we would like to provide the reader with a more detailed explanation of the seven stages of spiritual development, which are discussed in this great work.

Seven Stages of Spiritual Development

Here is a brief summary of the seven stages of spiritual development as described by Teresa of Avila in the «Interior Castle.» These seven stages of spiritual development are described by Teresa of Avila as a journey through the interior castle, where the soul ultimately encounters and unites with God.

  1. The first stage describes the state of the soul before it begins to open itself up to the spiritual path. It is a state of darkness in which the soul is blinded by worldly things and is unable to recognize the light of God.
  2. The second stage is the stage of repentance. The soul recognizes its sins and its needs and begins to seek forgiveness. This stage is called the gate to the interior castle.
  3. The third stage is the stage of struggle. On this stage, the soul begins to fight against its bad habits and desires. It is a difficult process but necessary to bring the soul onto the path of spirituality.
  4. The fourth stage is the stage of humility. Here, the soul recognizes that it is not alone in the world and that it is dependent on God. This realization leads to humility and a greater trust in God.
  5. The fifth stage is the stage of contemplation. The soul now begins to seek and meditate on God. This can lead to an intense experience where the soul immerses itself in the presence of God.
  6. The sixth stage is the union with God. At this stage, the soul and God become one, and the soul experiences a deep understanding of God’s love and mercy. However, this union is still temporary at the sixth stage.
  7. The seventh stage is the stage of bliss. The soul reaches the highest level of spiritual development and experiences a deep joy and satisfaction in the presence of God. Teresa of Avila illustrates the difference between the sixth and seventh stages with two metaphors: the union of the sixth stage is akin to two burning candles which, however, can still be separated from each other. But in the seventh stage, the soul completely merges into God, like a river that merges into the sea.

The union (6th stage) is like two wax candles held so close together that both flames form a single light … But afterwards, one can easily separate one candle from the other … Here, however (in the 7th stage), it is like when water falls from the sky into a river or a spring, where everything is nothing but water, so that it cannot be divided or separated by any means … or it is like when a small stream flows into the sea, from which it can no longer be separated by any means.

Teresa of Ávila – Interior Castle

Epilogue of the author

Teresa’s explanations of the seven-stage spiritual development are impressively clear and well-structured. Therefore, it is tempting to categorize ourselves or others based on this scale. However, our human nature normally leads us to overestimate ourselves, as we judge ourselves based on our good intentions. On the other hand, we tend to judge others based on their observable actions.

Thus, it is important to note that spiritual development is an individual process that varies for each person. For this reason, we should treat others with respect and compassion, regardless of where we perceive them to be on their spiritual journey. Everyone has the potential to embark on their own spiritual journey, and we should strive to help others find and pursue their own paths, rather than judging or criticizing them.