Interior Castle (part 8): Sixth Dwelling Place; Ch. 1-3: Greater Trials & Greater Favors

Carmelite Conversations

Here in the 6th Dwelling Place, the soul goes through an intensification of the Dark Night, specifically the Dark Night of the Spirit. It’s no surprise that St. Teresa of Avila begins in the first chapter with the trials and sufferings of this mansion. However, she quickly draws the souls attention to the LOVE of God in the second chapter through the Wounds of Love. She herself is known for having experienced an intense wound of love called the “Transverberation” of her heart by an angel. In the third chapter, St. Teresa teaches us about locutions, words heard by the soul (from God, or from the devil, or from our own imaginations). She gives us clear discernment points to help us so that we are not deceived.

RESOURCES:

• “Interior Castle, Study Guide, 2nd Edition” by St. Teresa of Avila; Translated and Prepared by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD; ICS Publications.
• “The Interior Journey Toward God: Reflections from Saint Teresa of Avila” by John Paul Thomas; My Catholic Life.
• “The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul” by Dan Burke; Sophia Institute Press.
• “The Wonders of the Heart of St. Teresa of Jesus” by Simon of Sts. Joseph and Therese.
• “From Ash to Fire: An Odyssey in Prayer;” (A contemporary journey through the Interior Castle of Teresa of Avila) by Carolyn Humphreys; New City Press, New York.
• Podcast: CarmelCast for July 10 on St. John of the Cross’s “Living Flame of Love”, Stanza 2,
  Part 1. Link found on www.icspublications.org. Also Found on YouTube.