Diving into Saint Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, the Fourth Mansions. The Fourth Mansions are the transitionary stages of prayer into the mystical experiences. Saint Teresa introduces the Prayer of Quiet, where we feel the presence of Jesus.
Diving into Saint Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, the Fourth Mansions. The Fourth Mansions are the transitionary stages of prayer into the mystical experiences. Saint Teresa explains the differences between consolation and spiritual sweetness in prayer.
Timeline: 00:01:15 Show Intro - The Interior Castle Fourth Mansions Chapter 1 00:01:26 Brief Intro to the Fourth Mansions 00:02:27 Paragraph 01. Graces received in this mansion. 00:06:19 Paragraph 02. Mystic favors. 00:07:17 Paragraph 03. Temptations bring humility and merit. 00:11:11 Paragraph 04. Sensible devotion and natural joys. 00:16:12 Paragraph 05. Sweetness in devotion. 00:18:55 Paragraph 06. Saint Teresa's experience of it. 00:20:40 Paragraph 07. Love of God, and how to foster it. 00:23:38 Paragraph 08. Distractions. 00:25:35 Paragraph 09. They do not destroy divine union. 00:28:11 Paragraph 10. Saint Teresa's physical distractions. 00:30:14 Paragraph 11. How to treat distractions. 00:32:59 Paragraph 12. They should be disregarded. 00:34:34 Paragraph 13. Self-knowledge necessary. 00:35:48 Spiritual Exercises - Contemplation Matthew 1 00:42:48 Conclusion Fourth Mansions Chapter 1
You made it through the first three mansions of the Interior Castle. Your soul has persevered through all the reptiles and trials. In the Third Mansions chapter, part 2, Saint Teresa discusses the importance of renunciation and why we shouldn't ask for spiritual consolations and favors in prayer.
Timeline: 00:00:36 Show Intro - The Interior Castle Third Mansions Chapter 2 Part Deux 00:01:13 Brief Intro to the Third Mansions Chapter 2 00:11:43 Source Material Notes 00:13:39 Paragraph 11. Leave our cares in God's hands 00:16:37 Paragraph 12. Humility more necessary than corporal penances. 00:22:28 Paragraph 13. Consolations rarely received until the fourth mansions. 00:25:52 Paragraph 14. Advantages of hearing them. 00:27:50 Paragraph 15. Perfection consists in love, not in reward. 00:29:32 Paragraph 16. St. Teresa's joy at seeing other souls favored. 00:30:29 Paragraph 17. These graces should be striven for. 00:31:53 Paragraph 18. Obedience and direction. 00:36:53 Paragraph 19. Misguided zeal for others. 00:39:44 Spiritual Exercises - Dan Burke Practicing Discovery Prayer 00:46:12 Conclusion and Review of the Third Mansions Chapter 2 Part 2
We have completed Saint Teresa's First Waters stages of prayer. The Third Mansions was the last stop in beginning-advanced ascetical prayer. In the Fourth Mansions, we will step into the prayer stage of the Second Waters of prayer—the mystical prayer rooms!
The soul has mastered this praying lifestyle. It knows how to pray and contemplate the Holy Scripture. However, the soul has become too aloof in its prayer abilities and frequently experiences consolation during prayer. So, God puts the soul through trials to purge worldly attachments in preparation for the deeper mansions and stages of prayer.
Timeline:
00:00:39 Show Intro - The Interior Castle Third Mansions Chapter 2 Part 1
00:02:08 Brief Intro to the Third Mansions Chapter 2
00:03:11 Source Material Notes
00:06:16 Paragraph 1. Imperfections of dwellers in the first three mansions.
00:09:46 Paragraph 2. Our trials show us our weakness.
00:13: 25 Paragraph 3. Humility learnt by our faults.
00:16:35 Paragraph 4. Love of money.
00:18:39 Paragraph 5. Liberty of spirit.
00:20:25 Paragraph 6. On bearing contempt.
00:21:58 Paragraph 7. Detachment proved by trials.
00:25:59 Paragraph 8. Virtue and humility are the essentials.
I pray you are blessed with this beginning deep prayer series on Tales of Glory. Next time, we're diving into Chapter 2, part 2, of Third Mansions. Our last stop in the ascetical prayer mansions before entering the mystical stages of prayer!
The soul has made great strides and progress in building its interior prayer life. Praying is now a lifestyle, and a relationship with Jesus is flourishing. Then, all of a sudden, the soul feels distant from Jesus, and the momentum of praying stalls. The buckets from the well are coming dry. The soul is frustrated, but Saint Teresa encourages us not to worry because we have entered the Third Mansions of prayer.
Timeline:
00:00:45 Show Intro - The Interior Castle Third Mansions Chapter 1 Part 2
00:04:02 Brief Intro to the Third Mansions Chapter 1
00:07:36 Source Material Notes
00:11:09 Paragraph 9 - The rich young man in the Gospel
00:17:15 Paragraph 10 - Reasons of aridity in prayer
I pray you are blessed with this beginning deep prayer series on Tales of Glory. Next time, we're diving into Chapter 2 of Third Mansions. Our last stop in the ascetical prayer mansions before entering the mystical stages of prayer!
How does the soul know it has entered the Third Mansions stage of prayer life? What are the struggles and trials of the soul as it works to avoid temptation and venial sin? The battle can be so intense that the soul may want to quit or backslide. The soul is capable of connecting with God, yet it now feels distant. Teresa has experienced this, and she shares her wisdom about the Third Mansions!
Timeline:
00:45:00 Show Intro - Growing in Prayer to the Second Mansions
00:01:00 Recap and Viewer Feedback on the Mansions
00:03:12 Third Mansions Chapter 1 Part 1 Introduction
00:06:34 Source Material Notes
00:09:04 Paragraph 1 - Souls in the Third Mansions
00:21:05 Paragraph 2 - Insecurity in this life
00:25:19 Paragraph 3 - Our danger of falling from grace
00:26:47 Paragraph 4 - The saint bewails her past life
00:29:08 Paragraph 5 - Our Lady’s patronage
00:33:27 Paragraph 6 - Fear necessary even for religion
00:35:33 Paragraph 7 - Saint Teresa’s contrition
00:36:29 Paragraph 8 - Characteristics of those in the Third Mansions
00:38:56 Spiritual Exercises - Practicing Third Mansions Teresan Prayer
00:47:52 Conclusion and Review of the Second Mansions
I hope you enjoyed this discussion on the Interior Castle - Third Mansions - Chapter 1 - Part 1. In Part 2 we'll dive into the issue of aridity in prayer - when the well runs dry!
In Tales of Glory 125, we learn from The Shift podcast co-host Meagan Wright how she follows Jesus's voice, builds small communities with souls, and effectively makes disciples. Meagan, a mom, grandmother, creative and contemplative soul, worship leader, and a missionary in her own backyard. Meagan discusses how Jesus led her to the desert to build a spiritual oasis.
Timeline:
00:00:00 Show Intro with guest co-host Meagan Wright 00:01:15 Who is Meagan? 00:09:18 Jesus returns Meagan to her Egypt 00:11:55 Focusing on disciplining people 00:14:55 Permitting changes in life 00:21:06 The importance and simplicity of the soul hearing God 00:22:40 The certitude of a new believer hearing the voice of God 00:25:05 Making disciples 00:33:26 Jesus prepares the tables 00:36:54 Healing the sick soul through community and Jesus 00:41:00 Dealing with the brokenness after deliverance 00:43:15 When deliverance is a journey walked out with Jesus 00:47:08 What’s the craziest supernatural thing Meagan has experienced? 00:52:58 Jesus tells Meagan He is going to build an oasis in the desert
Listen to the Podcast on Anchor.fm
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Show Notes
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Meagan Wright worship music playlist on YouTube The Shift podcast on YouTube
