St. Teresa’s Dark Night of the Soul

St. Teresa of Avila lived in the 16th century. She was a Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, and a Carmelite nun. The book she wrote, “The Interior Castle” is one of the most celebrated books in mystical literature.

In her own words, St. Teresa explains: “I began to think of the soul as if it were a castle made of a single diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.”

These mansions are not arranged one behind another, but some are above, some below, while some others are on the sides, and in the centre and midst of them all is the chiefest mansion, where the most secret things pass between God and the soul.

The figure of the castle is used to describe the whole course of the mystical life―the soul’s progress from the First Mansions to the Seventh and its transformation from a confused creature into the Bride of the Spiritual Marriage.

First Mansion: This chapter of the book explains the excellence and dignity of the human soul as it is made in the image and likeness of God. St. Teresa laments that more pains are not taken to deepen the experience of the soul. Individuals in this stage of development are in a state of grace, but are still very much in love with the venomous creatures outside of the castle (cravings and distractions in their lives) and need a long and searching discipline before they can make any progress. 

Second Mansion: Since the soul is anxious to journey farther into the castle, it seeks opportunities of advancement like sermons, edifying conversations, good company and so on. The soul is not completely secure from the attacks of the poisonous reptiles which infest the courtyard of the castle, but its powers of resistance are increasing. 

Third Mansion: In this mansion, according to St. Teresa, Exemplary Life begins. She also warns the seeker of the dangers of trusting one’s own strengths too much since the soul’s virtues are still not strong. Through dedication and performing acts of charity toward others, the soul has enough discernment and awareness to order its life well.

The soul has not yet tasted the inspiring force of love nor has it made a total surrender. Its love is governed by reason; therefore its progress is slow.

Fourth Mansion: The supernatural element of the mystical life begins: It is no longer by its own efforts that the soul is acquiring what it gains. The soul’s part will become increasingly less and God’s part increasingly greater. The individual will begins to fade.

The soul’s love is now free from fear as it shrinks from no trials and attaches no importance to anything to do with the world (not to be confused with denying the world).

Fifth Mansion: This stage marks a new degree of infused contemplation where the individual will becomes suspended during meditation. St. Teresa describes the psychological condition of this state, in which, for the first time, the faculties of the soul are asleep - it is for a short duration, but, while it lasts, the soul is completely possessed by God.

Sixth Mansion: In the previous mansion, the soul was getting ready for its future Spouse. In this mansion, however, Lover and Beloved begin to see each other for longer periods of time, and as they grow in intimacy, the soul receives increasing favours, together with increasing afflictions.

These afflictions may be purely exterior like bodily sickness, misrepresentation, backbiting and persecution or interior―“and the depression which can afflict the soul in the Sixth Mansion,” says, St. Teresa, “is comparable only with the tortures of hell.”

This is the experience of the Dark Night of the Soul during which a deep transformation is occurring within the individual, so deep that one feels like they are dying. Psychologically, this is true.

The soul has no desire to be freed from these afflictions except by entering the innermost Mansion.

Seventh Mansion: The soul reaches the Spiritual Marriage. Here dwells the King―it may be called another Heaven: the two lighted candles join and become one; the falling rain becomes merged in the river. There is complete transformation, ineffable and perfect peace; no higher state is conceivable.

If you think you might be going through a dark night of the soul, get in touch with me by filling out the form here.

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