IMAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA ABOUT GROWTH IN THE LIFE OF PRAYER
I. Two Two imag images es of the the spi spiri ritu tual al jou journ rney ey (i) (i) ways ways of brin bring g water water to to a fiel field d repre represe sent ntin ing g the relationship between grace, human effort, and gift of contemplative prayer and the (ii) Interior Castle representing progress to higher levels of prayer and contemplation. A.
First Water: drawing the water up from a well by the use of a bucket. First, Second, Third Mansions . The effort one spends leaving behind sin and growing
in virtue virtue In the First First Mansion Mansion there is a leaving leaving behind behind of sin and attachments attachments.. In the Second Second Mansions Mansions there is a time of interior interior struggle between the way of Christ Christ and to leave behind sin. St. Teresa’s practical advice: (i) building of Christ-centered friendship, (ii) generous willingness to embrace the Cross, (iii) daily fidelity to the Divine will. In the Third Mansions through the assistance of God’s grace the attainment of a high standard of virtue, freedom through selfdiscipline and penance, and disposition to perform acts of charity B.
Second Water: use of a water wheel and aqueduct Fourth Mansions The gift of Infused Contemplation with the transformative results of
this prayer: In this mansion there is (i) infused recollection, union of the intellect with God and (ii) the prayer of quiet, union of the will with God-- which learning to be receptive to the action of God. Practical advice of St. Teresa: habitual p ractice of prayer, detachment, seeking solitude without neglecting personal responsibilities to others. C.
efflue uenc ncee from from a rive riverr or stre stream am so that that one one no long longer er labo labors rs to Third Wa Water: effl transport the water to the field Fifth Mansions : full union with God. The person is introduced to spiritual betrothal with
a certain experiential knowledge of the Divine Presence D.
Fourth Wa Water: gentl gentlee and and abund abundan antt rain rainfa fall ll.. The The wate waterr for for the the fiel field d is simp simply ly
received without any effort. spiritual betrothal with profound and transforming effects of God’s grace grace with with an intens intensee awaren awareness ess of the Divine Divine Prese Presence nce,, consci consciousn ousness ess and speech speech totall totally y centered centered in God, ardent and longing longing desires desires for for solitu solitude de combined combined with the desire desire of apostolic apostolic mission to others.; Sixth Mansions
Seventh Mansions : spiritual marriage: this is transforming union with a
continuous
awareness of loving knowledge of the presence of the Trinity 1
Mystical Prayer (or properly called) Contemplative Prayer
Prayer of Transforming Union (7 th Mansion) Prayer of Ecstatic Union
(6th Mansion)
Prayer of Union (5th Mansion) Prayer of Simplicity (4th Mansion)
Prayer of Quiet union of the will with God Infused Recollection: union of intellect with God Ascetical Prayer (First Three Mansions)
Meditation Intercession Vocal Prayer I.
ASCETICAL PRAYER First Three Mansions
Discursive Meditation: a reasoned application of the mind to some supernatural truth. Affective Prayer: A way of meditation in which the operations of the will predominate over the active reflections of the intellect which is found in the ways of meditation spoken about above. This is a meditation in which the “heart” predominates. It is a natural transition from discursive meditation to affective prayer PRAYER OF SIMPLICITY (transitional stage) Fourth Mansion
This is the transition point between ascetical prayer (which is our cooperation with the gift of the Holy Spirit: vocal prayer, meditation, affective prayer) and mystical prayer: contemplation. INFUSED RECOLLECTION: union of the intellect with God A type of contemplative prayer in which the intellect is united with God especially through the gifts of the Holy Spirit of understanding, knowledge and counsel PRAYER OF QUIET A type of contemplative prayer in which the will is especially joined to God with an increase in contemplative light and more intense spiritual consolations.
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II.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER Final Three Mansions This gift of prayer involves a
loving experiential knowledge of God. A profound expression of faith and charity and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. PRAYER OF UNION ( FIFTH MANSION) A type of contemplative prayer in which all of the interior faculties (intellect, will, memory, and imagination are absorbed in loving union with God. PRAYER OF ECSTATIC UNION (SIXTH MANSION) A type of contemplative prayer often terminating in the spiritual espousal. In addition to the ab sorption of the faculties of the soul (intellect, memory, and will) and the internal senses are united to God, in this type of contemplative prayer the external senses are also suspended. PRAYER OF TRANSFORMING UNION (SEVENTH MANSION( This way of contemplative prayer is also known as the mystical marriage. It constitutes the seventh mansions of the Interior Castle This manner of contemplative prayer is the most profound and intense experience of divine love possible in this life.
This summary is taken from Dubay, Thomas S.M., Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel On Prayer. San Francisco: St. Ignatius Press, 1989. The reader is invited to especially consult Chapter VI, “The Teresian Mansions”
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