Interior Castle (part 7): Fifth Dwelling Place; Ch. 3 & 4: True Union with God

Carmelite Conversations

As we continue the journey through the interior castle, we grow deeper and deeper in our intimacy and relationship with the Lord. The 5th Dwelling Place/Mansion can be understood to be the deeper revelation of God to the soul and the joining of hands in spiritual courtship with our Divine Spouse. It is in anticipation of a deeper union to come in the remaining mansions. St. Teresa of Avila gives us the analogy of the silkworm turning into a butterfly to help us understand this interior transformation. In this podcast, we discuss the difference between the degree of prayer called “the prayer of union” and the “union of will with God’s will.” We also highlight some of the tactics of the devil in this dwelling place as well as counsels from St. Teresa on what we should do to grow in union with God.

Resources:

“Interior Castle” 2nd Edition, Study Guide by St. Teresa of Avila; ICS Publications.

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

“Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila,” vol. 3; ICS Publications.

www.flameoflove.us Unity Prayer given to the Carmelite Secular, Elizabeth Kindelmann of Hungary. Book called “The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: The Spiritual Diary” by Elizabeth Kendelmann.