Teresa of Avila's teachings emphasize the recognition of our divine nature and the depth of our connection with God.
Teresa of Avila's exploration of the mystery of the soul highlights the vastness and beauty of our divine selves compared to our limited understanding.
The journey through the Interior Castle's seven mansions requires discernment, self-knowledge, and surrender for spiritual growth.
Deep dives
Introducing Season 2 of Turning to the Mystics
Jim Finley introduces Season 2 of Turning to the Mystics, a podcast that uses the practice of lexio to explore the wisdom of Christian mystics. In this episode, Jim discusses his choice of Saint Teresa of Avila as the mystic to focus on in this season, emphasizing her influence on him personally and her accessibility as a mystic teacher. He provides a brief biography of Teresa and highlights her experiences of deep prayer and mystical states of consciousness. Jim also introduces Teresa's book, 'The Interior Castle,' which will be used for guided reflection and prayer throughout the season.
Understanding Teresa's Concept of the Soul as a Castle
Jim explores Teresa's metaphor of the soul as a castle made of diamond or crystal, representing the vastness and beauty of the soul's interiority. He discusses how Teresa's understanding of the soul goes beyond our limited identities, emphasizing our divine nature and the depth of our connection with God. Jim explains how Teresa's use of cultural imagery, like the castle, reflects the language of her time and helps her convey the profound spiritual experiences she had in prayer. He highlights the transformative effects of contemplating the soul's divine nature and the significance of recognizing ourselves as God's creation.
The Mystery of the Soul and Spiritual Self-Knowledge
Jim delves into Teresa's exploration of the mystery of the soul and the challenge of understanding our own selves. He emphasizes the vastness and divine beauty of the soul, highlighting our limited comprehension of its depth compared to the infinite mystery of God. Jim explains that while we may not fully grasp the soul's beauty and connection with God, we can intimately realize and surrender to its presence in our lives. He encourages listeners to reflect on how embracing this broader understanding of self can impact their relationship with themselves, others, and the world.
The Journey Through the Interior Castle
Jim discusses Teresa's vision of the Interior Castle and the seven mansions representing different stages of spiritual growth and union with God. He explains that the journey through the mansions is not linear and can vary for each individual. Jim highlights the importance of discernment, self-knowledge, and surrender in progressing through the mansions. He invites listeners to explore their own spiritual journey within the context of the different mansions and to embrace the transformative effects of divine union.
The Challenge of Living Spiritual Poverty and Simplicity
Jim explores Teresa's emphasis on spiritual poverty, simplicity, and prayer as essential elements of the spiritual path. He discusses how Teresa's commitment to prayer and poverty in the context of her cloistered monastery led to her reform of the Carmelite order. Jim emphasizes the ongoing relevance and challenge of embracing spiritual poverty in our own lives and how it can lead to a deeper experience of God's presence and transformative love.
Welcome to Season 2 of Turning to the Mystics. In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley turning to Teresa of Avila and discovering how one might integrate her teachings into our daily lives. By the end of this episode, you will have a robust understanding of the life and work of Teresa of Avila and her impact on Jim Finley.
Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book being used for this season can be found here.
Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are here.
Connect with us:
We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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