. Contemplative Haven: July 2006

Friday, July 21, 2006

The Tour



I'm sorry to interrupt this tour of the Castle, but we'll be taking some vacation time as of tomorrow.

I'll bring St. Teresa and a workbook with me, to make notes on the next couple of Mansions. (Gosh, I'll be fun to have around, won't I? Ah, well, they're used to me, God love 'em.)

Get up now, move around, stretch those muscles. Keep safe. I'll be thinking about, and praying for, so many of you. See you in a little over a week! I do hope they will accept the fact that I am not putting ANY worms on ANY fishhooks. I've got first dibs on squeamish.

posted by Gabrielle at 9:35 AM |

Third Mansions

Those who enter the Third Mansions are on "the straight road to salvation," says St. Teresa, unless they deliberately turn back. A person can feel "secure" in this, "unless he strays from the path on which he has set out." St. Teresa does not really like the word "secure" in relation to not falling into sin, since even in the higher Mansions it is possible. However, she uses it to convey the idea that a person can have some sense of security that he is in a good place, spiritually.

She sums up the characteristics of people in the Third Mansions as follows: "...they are most desirous not to offend His Majesty; they avoid committing even venial sins; they love doing penance; they spend hours in recollection; they use their time well; they practise works of charity toward their neighbours; and they are very careful in their speech and dress and in the government of their household if they have one."

At this stage, the person is to demonstrate love of God through good works, not that "God has any need of our works; what He needs is the resoluteness of our will." St. Teresa reiterates that we should not be seeking spiritual "favours". The Third Mansions can be a place of ongoing aridity in prayer, but St. Teresa feels that people who make a big fuss over this are lacking in humility, because they seem to be expecting "favours" that none of us deserve.

In the Third Mansions the soul undergoes testing with regard to sin, and St. Teresa notes two common reactions to falling. One type of person responds by becoming "restless and depressed in spirit." They "brood over their woes" and "make up their minds that they are suffering for God's sake, and thus never really understand that it is all due to their own imperfection." The other type of person admits to failure, doesn't dwell on it, asks for/receives forgiveness and carries on. In this way, "they gain a clear perception of their shortcomings" and in turn they "gain a great deal in humility." She advises that we should test ourselves, "before we are tested by the Lord."

St. Teresa describes some people as being overly-cautious - they are afraid to do penances, afraid to move forward spiritually too quickly, afraid to do anything which might (in their own minds) possibly harm their health. If we stunt our growth in this way, with imagined detrimental side-effects based on groundless fears, St. Teresa states that we will end up staying in the Third Mansions all our lives. She tells us that, if souls are here, "they are on the point of rising still higher," and calls our attention to the importance of obedience as well as spiritual direction: "...it would be a great thing for them to have someone to whom they could go, as many people do, so that they might not be following their own will in anything..."

She gives us a little hint of things to come, when she explains why those in the Third Mansions, if not vigilant, may turn around and head back to the First. St. Teresa tells us that for those in the Third Mansions, "their fortitude is not built upon solid ground like that of souls who are already practised in suffering." Well. I bet you can guess where she's headed...

posted by Gabrielle at 1:05 AM |

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Inbetween Mansions




I'm working on the Third Mansions, but came across something today which I wanted to share:

A rabbi put this question to his
students:

"How can we determine the
hour of dawn, when
the night ends and the day begins?"

"When from
a
distance you can distinguish between a dog and a sheep," suggested
one.

"No," answered the rabbi.

"When you
can
distinguish between a fig tree and a grapevine," offered another.

"No."

"Tell us," the students
said. The teacher answered,
"When you look into the face of a human being
and have enough light to recognize
in him your brother. Up until then it is
night, and darkness is still with
us."

Hasidic Tale

posted by Gabrielle at 11:53 PM |

Second Mansions

Those in the Second Mansions have begun to practise prayer, but are not yet striving to avoid occasions of sin. They "hear" the call of the Lord, but are unable to "speak"; that is, they are not yet able to respond by "doing" what they know they should.

How do they "hear"? St. Teresa tells us it is through "...conversations of good people, or from sermons, or through the reading of good books...Or they can come through sickness and trials, or by means of truths which God teaches us at times when we are engaged in prayer; however feeble such prayers may be, God values them highly."

The Lord is extremely merciful to those in the Second Mansions. The person may fall into sin again and again, but He keeps calling. The person suffers and feels grief at the repeated sin, but God is patient, and prepared to wait when He sees perseverence.

St. Teresa tells us that Satan will attack those in the Second Mansions fiercely, trying to draw them back into the things of the world which they are trying to relinquish. She explains that the devils are vanquished by five things: reason, faith, memory, the will and the understanding, and explains how each of these lead the soul along the right path.

St. Teresa notes the importance of associating now with others who are headed in the right direction; not only with those at the same spiritual stage, but with those who have progressed, for they will be teachers, and take people with them into the higher Mansions. She advises people to let Satan know that they are resolute, and then he will stop his attempts at enticing them into returning to their old ways.

One must not allow oneself to think of spiritual "favours", for that would not be building the spiritual life on a rock-solid foundation. St. Teresa reveals that the "favours" will come in the higher Mansions, where the soul "desires only what is the will of God."

She advises that when in prayer, in periods of recollection, not to make strenuous efforts to overcome disturbances sent by Satan. If one is gentle with oneself at these times, the periods of prayerful recollection will increase in duration, with fewer troublesome thoughts. Nor should one criticize oneself for having to pursue normal activities and responsibilities: "...the Lord will turn everything we do to our profit."

Lastly, St. Teresa emphasizes the importance of looking at our Lord Jesus Christ, thinking of the death that He suffered for us: "And what but such thoughts can arouse us to love this Lord?"

posted by Gabrielle at 1:17 AM |

Sunday, July 16, 2006

First Mansions

If we are to discover the beauty of all the rooms in the castle, which is the soul, our self, our true being ("For we ourselves are the castle"), we must take that first step of entering it. St. Teresa tells us that we must not remain in the "outer court", fixated on the things of this world, ignoring the fact that we do indeed have a soul.

Once we, by the grace of God, become aware of the importance of attending to our souls and our spiritual lives, St. Teresa explains that "...the door of entry into this castle is prayer and meditation. I do not say mental prayer rather than vocal, for, if it is prayer at all, it must be accompanied by meditation."

By turning within through prayer and meditation, one enters "the first rooms on the lowest floor." These souls St. Teresa describes as, "very much absorbed in worldly affairs; but their desires are good." They turn to the Lord from time to time in prayer, although infrequently. They think about their spiritual lives, but are still more concerned with worldly preoccupations, not in the necessary sense of fulfilling the duties required by their state of life, but as to where they place their priorities. Yet, they have made a very good start: "...they have done a good deal by entering at all."

The first rooms on the lowest floor appear dark to one who has just entered; the beauty and peace of the castle cannot yet be experienced, because of all the "reptiles" that enter as well. St. Teresa speaks of wild beasts and animals, snakes, vipers and poisonous creatures. She uses this imagery to portray impediments to our spiritual sight, such as excessive interest in possessions, honours or business.

St. Teresa goes on to explain the effects of mortal sin on the soul, the need for self-knowledge, which she equates with humility, and the necessity of constantly turning to the Lord, the Blessed Virgin and the saints for strength, since the faculties and the senses are still weak.

It is in the First Mansions that the soul must make a determined effort to be in the world but not of it: "Everyone...who wishes to enter the second Mansions, will be well advised, as far as his state of life permits, to try to put aside all unnecessary affairs and business."

posted by Gabrielle at 10:00 PM |

Friday, July 14, 2006

Exploring the Castle

The next set of posts will consist of a brief introduction to the seven mansions as described by Saint Teresa of Avila. My hope is that those who have not yet read Interior Castle may be encouraged from this to do so.

Some wonderful resources for a more thorough aid in understanding Teresian prayer and the soul's progress in union with the Lord are Father Thomas Dubay's, Fire Within, as well as two of his audio series on EWTN: Teresa of Avila: Personality & Prayer as well as Prayer Quest .

So, now, let's go exploring. Put on your rubber boots, because we have to wade through all those "snakes and vipers and poisonous creatures" to get where we're going.

posted by Gabrielle at 1:26 PM |

Thursday, July 13, 2006

The Metaphor



From: Interior Castle (St. Teresa of Avila)

"While I was beseeching Our Lord today that He would speak through me, since I could find nothing to say and had no idea how to begin to carry out the obligation laid upon me by obedience, a thought occurred to me which I will now set down, in order to have some foundation on which to build. 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. Now if we think carefully over this, sisters, the soul of the righteous man is nothing but a paradise, in which, as God tells us, He takes His delight."

**************
"Let us now imagine that this castle, as I have said, contains many mansions, some above, others below, others at each side; and in the centre and midst of them all is the chiefest mansion where the most secret things pass between God and the soul."

posted by Gabrielle at 8:56 PM |

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Message to Monica



Pssst...Monica , they're not here yet. Probably off eating cheesecake, over at Exhaling. They think I've left for work (a little subterfuge of my own).

Listen, I'm worried. If they get so feisty over a little quote from Thomas Dubay, what's going to happen when we get into St. John of the Cross? I am reminded of the famous words of Bette Davis' character, Margo Channing, in All About Eve: "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night."

We can't let them intimidate us, Monica. Here's the plan. They've invited me to join their little "club", and I've applied, just to keep an eye on their antics. You may wish to do the same. Contemplatives "breathing" together, or some such thing. Italian desserts and BBQ ribs, and they're even trying to drag in the men (have they no shame?)

Well, we shall see just how much they want to breathe with me when I break out the quotes on self-mortification. Hah! We shall see.

posted by Gabrielle at 12:04 AM |

Monday, July 10, 2006

United






The prayer basket overflows, into my heart.

More and more I realize what He did for us.

I want to shout it from the rooftops, and whisper it in my bed.

Give me your pain. Give me your pain. Your pain.

posted by Gabrielle at 2:08 AM |

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Meditations from Carmel

If you haven't already found this, I think you will love it. The Order of Carmel Discalced Secular (OCDS) have a podcast: Meditations from Carmel. When you go to this site, click on "Meditations from Carmel Podcast" at the top of the screen, then follow the directions for a free download of iTunes and Quicktime, if you don't already have them on your computer. Then you can choose the Meditation of your choice, click on "Listen", and then click on the little arrow beside the volume control.

Many thanks to Julie D of Happy Catholic for this wonderful contemplative link.

posted by Gabrielle at 6:01 PM |

Hunger





I am hungry. I am the Canaanite woman, willing to take whatever crumbs fall to the floor.

Soon, they will fill a breadbasket. There will be more than enough for everyone.

posted by Gabrielle at 1:19 AM |

Friday, July 07, 2006

Where We Are



Discerning "where we are" in our prayerlife and on our spiritual journey is often difficult, but necessary. It is not a narcissistic pastime; it is not navel-gazing.

In, "Fire Within", Father Thomas Dubay speaks of how easy it is for all of us to judge normal growth in nature - plants, animals, humans - and when we witness normal growth coming to a premature halt, we immediately know something is wrong. He laments, "Many of us do not at all understand to be applicable on the supernatural level what we fully grasp on the natural level. We are not alarmed about truncated spiritual development."

But we should be. Why aren't we attuned to lack of growth in the spiritual life? Why do we not realize that we are coasting, or even regressing?

One main reason is that we are not aware of, or do not understand, the stages in prayer development. Or, if we do know and understand the stages, we have difficulty actually recognizing them in our own lives.

Study of the stages in prayer development is, therefore, a necessity. Without it, as Father Dubay states, "...many baptized persons depart this life without ever realizing that they were destined to a deep communion with God."

Many. One is too many.

posted by Gabrielle at 11:27 AM |

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Madonna House

We were away for a few days exploring the Ottawa Valley and beyond. When I realized we were not far from Combermere, Ontario, a dream came true for me - a visit to Madonna House, founded by Servant of God Catherine Doherty.

If you have never read Catherine Doherty's works, a few of her better-known ones are Poustinia, Sobornost, Urodivoi and Strannik. I highly recommend them.

Here are a couple of links for more information about the Madonna House Apostolate and for Catherine Doherty's cause for canonization:
www.madonnahouse.org

www.catherinedoherty.org

In 1941, when Catherine had set up "Friendship House" in Harlem, New York, a young Thomas Merton was very attracted to her vision, and she recognized something very special within him as well. She tried her best to convince him to join in her work, but ultimately he decided against it, and pursued his course in becoming a Trappist.

Here are some of Catherine's own words describing one facet of the Madonna House Apostolate:


Becoming a Prayer
"We touch God with one hand and touch our neighbour with the other. This means we become cruciform. A cruciform man is a symbol of prayer. The only true communication is that which exists between two crucified people."


posted by Gabrielle at 2:18 AM |