Interior Castle (part 2): Image of the Soul in the First Dwelling Place

Guest, Theresa Rittenhouse, OCDS, joins host Frances Harry in a Carmelite Converstion on the first dwelling place/mansion of St. Teresa of Avila’s classic masterpiece, “The Interior Castle.” We cover some of her wonderful images of the soul and also images of God.  But, what is the soul?  We take time to define the soul and describe the anatomy of the soul in addition to giving a brief break down of the soul and its relationship to the theological virtues and evangelical counsels. The castle is an image of the soul.  Prayer is the door to enter the castle.  What is prayer like for a person in the first dwelling place?  What might it consist of?  How may it be improved?  St. Teresa wants us to understand not only the beauty and dignity of the soul made in the image and likeness of God, but to also comprehend the ugliness of a soul in mortal sin.  The devil uses lots of tactics to distract, divide and preoccupy the soul so that it doesn’t progress.  What can be done? What battle plans should we have? 

Resources:

“The Interior Castle:  Study Edition” by St. Teresa of Avila, Translated and Prepared by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D.; ICS Publications.

“The Interior Journey Toward God: Reflections from Saint Teresa of Avila” by John Paul Thomas; My Catholic Life! Inc. (www.mycatholic.life)

“The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father” by R. Thomas Richard, 3rd Edition; Fidelis Presentations

The Carmelite Conversations Podcast is an apostolate of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites community of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Dayton, Ohio. Discalced Carmelite Seculars are practicing members of the Catholic Church who, under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and inspired by St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, make the commitment to the Discalced Carmelite Order to seek the face of God for the sake of the church and the world. For more information about Secular Carmelites, visit our website.