Interior Castle (Dover Thrift Editions)

I have enjoyed reading this book to the fullest extent. I find St. Theresa of Avila to be wise, witty and inquisitive amongst other things. As a believer who is not associated with any denomenation, more specifically, the Catholic Church, it was really chance that allowed me to stumble across this fantastic work. I would suggest this read for anyone pondering the state of their soul in relation to the possibility of heaven and how one should live in between. For more biographical information on the author, please see the following link:

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St. Teresa of Avila is very humble about her work but make no mistake she will help you greatly on your journey. Her work is written so the average person can understand what she is trying to convey and can actually get to work spending some time with our Lord. Fairly quick read as well, only 100 or so pages but packed with all you need. Highly recommend.

St. Teresa presents her ever growing relationship with Jesus as only a saint could. Our struggle to emulate her is caused by our close relationship with the world and all it has to offer. The book teaches us humility.

This is an ancient book, but it is interesting. I found it a short read. I also found that it opened so many more questions for me, as to the societal cultural mindset of the time in which St.Teresa of Avila lived. Aside from this issue of trying to understand the times a little better... The book focuses on what God was doing with her life... what He was teaching her... To me- God seemed to be pouring out such a grace over her life. One of great peace and immense love... I appreciated her rooms of a castle analogy. I appreciate that God dwells in the middle of the person in the most important room..... I believe the ecstasies she describes are more commonly experienced in our times because people are free to seek God without all the dogma and doctrines of the Catholic Church to dominate us... I enjoyed this book. I will probably read it again.

In the process of deciding which translation of this book to purchase, I found at the very back of this version (translated by Ms. Nirr) an excellent clue as to this translation's world view: a web address which is about subliminal self hypnosis and other such offerings ... very new age - not at all Catholic- My conclusion is that IF you, like me, are searching for a true and Catholic translation you look into or buy the Paulist press version:
Teresa of Avila: Interior Castle (Classics of Western Spirituality) [Paperback]
Teresa of Avila (Author), Kieran Kavanaugh (Translator, Introduction), Otillo Rodriguez (Translator )
This translation is also found in the store.

I love this book. It is complex and stunning, filled with truths. Since her writing style and use of metaphors is complex, I'll likely have to read again, but gratefully so. Given the era and subject matter, it is remarkable how much she has conveyed about her spiritual journey.

I love this book. It is complex and stunning, filled with truths. Since her writing style and use of metaphors is complex, I'll likely have to read again, but gratefully so. Given the era and subject matter, it is remarkable how much she has conveyed about her spiritual journey.

I believe St. Teresa experienced enlightenment as unconditional, unbounded love during her lifetime. Her account of her experience is very cramped and apologetic because she lived and wrote during horribly repressive times in the history of the Holy Roman Catholic church, especially for women. If she had written the fullness of her experience, she likely would have been branded a heretic or worse. Thus, The Interior Castle is only a remnant of her whole truth. We are blessed to have that much, but it could have been much more.

This classic, written centuries ago by the great Catholic mystic, St. Teresa of Avila, has been given a fresh, new translation by Mirabei Starr, thus making it far more readable for the modern seeker. St. Teresa's writing style can become somewhat difficult to understand; however, Ms. Starr has rendered it as clear as one could hope for.