A Mansion Reserved

"As far as I can understand, the gate by which

to enter this castle is payer and meditation." 

St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle

As far as I can understand, the gate by which to enter this castle is prayer and meditation

Prayer in the 'Seventh Mansion'

'There is self-forgetfulness which is so complete that it really seems as though the soul no longer existed, because it is such that she has neither knowledge nor remembrance that there is either death or life or honor for her, so entirely is she employed in seeking the honor of God. It appears that the words which His Majesty addressed to her have produced their effect - namely, that she must take care of His business and He will take care of hers. And thus, happen what may, she does not mind in the least, but lives in so strange a state of forgetfulness that, as I say, she seems no longer to exist, and has no desire to exist - no, absolutely none - save when she realizes that she can do something to advance the glory and honor of God, for which she would gladly lay down her life.'

St Teresa of Avila

For fuller descriptions of St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle and "Mansions," see the following:

Interior Castle, text from EWTN

Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila

Fire Within 


Painting: Arthur Hacker, The Cloister or the World? 1896

But a Great Gain

'To persist 
in prayer without returns, 
this is not time lost, but a great gain. 
It is endeavour without thought of self  
and only for the glory of the Lord.'

St. Teresa of Avila

Painting: Nicola Consoni

So Entirely Employed

'There is a self-forgetfulness which is so complete that it really seems as though the soul no longer existed, because it is such that she has neither knowledge nor remembrance that there is either heaven or life or honor for her, so entirely is she employed in seeking the honor of God. It appears that the words which His Majesty addressed to her have produced their effect - namely, that she must take care of His business and He will take care of hers. And thus, happen what may, she does not mind in the least, but lives in so strange a state of forgetfulness that, as I say, she seems no longer to exist, and has no desire to exist - no, absolutely none save when she realizes that she can do something to advance the glory and honor of God, for which she would gladly lay down her life.'

St. Teresa of Avila
                                                                                                                

Painting: Jose Alcazar Tejedor, Santa Teresa de Jesús, 1884

In Dryness

The Smallest Thing

Painting: Dupre PD1923