Customer Reviews

Interior Castle (Dover Thrift Editions)

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This read is a must for anyone desiring a deeper prayer life and connection with God. Teresa, in her simple and most humble way, takes the reader through her trials, victories, and raptures in her relationship
with `His Majesty,' God. I enjoyed it immensely

This little book is powerful to read. Spiritually provocative, challenging, and insightful. I have read and reread chapters and could easily reread them yet again. Sister Teresa shares the spiritual journey though different levels of encountering God. She informs, encourages, warns even admonishs her readers as they proceed from one "mansion" to another.

What can you say about one of the greatest theologists of all times? This book will bring new insight for all of those interested in spiritual growth.

My introduction to Saint Teresa of Avila was about 20 years ago. I've read this work several times over and go to it occasionally as a reference. I often give this book as a gift making this particular version attractive because of its price.

Not all are mystics like Teresa of Avila, nor are all intellectuals like Thomas Aquinas. One is not superior to the other. This writing is for the mystic. Her writing and aided by the translation of E. Allison Peers, is so conversational and written in a down to earth and highly accessible language style. Not written in ivory tower scholarly dialogue, but it is, at the same time, quite lofty.

Sr. Teresa is a tour guide through the mansions of prayer with the utmost reverence for our Lord, obedience, and charity for the faith. She gives practical insights to scripture, and how to know what is really from God, and what is from the deceiver. I loved it, and found it highly comforting. I couldn't put it down and took so many notes that I've referred back to. Highly recommended.

Theresa's Interior Castle has always been a difficult book for me. This translation and editing is refreshing and contemporary. Makes a difficult read into an enjoyable one.

Saint Teresa of Avila is one of the most influential Catholic saints. Her spiritual insights have garnered her such a strong reputation and the following that in 1970 she was recognized as one of the "Doctors of the Church," a group of 33 holy men and women who have over the centuries made an important impact on Catholic spirituality and theology. The list includes some true intellectual giants, such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. The depth and the breadth of their works have probably not been surpassed by the thinkers in any field of human intellectual endeavor. On the other hand there are those Doctors of the Church who may not have written much, but their particular insights and visions have proved to be so important and influential that their contributions deservedly need to be held in the highest esteem. St. Teresa of Avila belongs to this latter category, and arguably her most important work is "Interior Castle."

St. Teresa's vision of the soul as a resplendent crystal castle is one of the most beautiful and moving spiritual images of all time. It has inspired generations of Christians to seek holiness through fostering their inner spiritual lives. It serves as a guiding principle for structuring the spiritual progress through seven different stages - represented by seven different "chambers" within the castle. Even though they are only seven of them, each one is in fact very large, if not infinite, in terms of different paths that each soul may take. The innermost room represents the mystical union with God, and the summit of each soul's spiritual development.

As the name may suggest, "Interior Castle" was meant to support inner spirituality and the growth in holiness. This is unsurprising as St. Teresa was a nun, and most of her experience with spiritual growth was within the confines of cloistered life. Nonetheless, this book is applicable to a wide variety of individual circumstances, and its aims are universal - all of us can aspire for greater holiness though inner contemplative journey. Even though this book is considered to be part of the "mystic literature," the writing is fairly straightforward. However, the book could have used some more editing, as many paragraphs run for several pages, and there are certain themes and ideas that get repeated without much in terms of variation. All of this makes this book a bit hard to read. However, if you are willing to look past these minor obstacles, you can find a great spiritual gem in the "Interior Castle."

Teresa was so ahead of her time, or outside of time! LOL awesome book highly recommended and the price is excellent. Teresa's God-inside minded revelation is life-altering. Let the river of life flow out of your belly through your soul into the world!

This item arrived ahead of schedule and was as described by the seller. I would recommend this seller to others and will return to this seller for future purchases.

Simplicity and spontaneity mark this magnificent work of St. Teresa of Avila, instructing her nuns on contemplative prayer...her heartfelt concern for their spiritual well being is touching ...lacing her teachings with experiences personal or otherwise give her work authencity ...conversational at its best...like no other books on this serious subject of prayer..... very effective means of driving home her lessons ...this book deepens ones understanding of contemplative prayer, its methods, especially its goals .... and, of course no one can fail to notice the beauty of the humility of this saint all through out the book ...