Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Ávila (Summary+Review)

#teresaofavila #doctorofthechurch #catholicbookreview
St. Teresa of Ávila (Spain) lived from 1515 to 1582 and is one of the four female Doctors of the Church. In this video I summarize and review her book “Interior Castle”.
You can buy the book here: tanbooks.com/products/books/d...
Or on Amazon: amzn.to/3ye4bz1
By using the link above you support my channel as I get paid a small percentage of your purchase. For you the price doesn't change 😊
Article about the Interior Castle:
prodigalcatholic.com/2018/06/...
Listen online for free:
• St. Teresa of Avila - ...
Read online for free:
www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu...
Rating system:
10/10 breathtaking, must read
9/10 really good
8/10 good
7/10 good (maybe not for everyone)
6/10 and less: I try to read good books lol so that rating should not occur
You can contact me here: [e-mail]
Image source: www.bookdepository.com/Interi...

[@antidepressant11]

Catholicism should focus more on books like this. It's a masterpiece!

[@l.elmo.di.scipio]

Oh we do, but trust me, this is no literature for the newcomers to the faith. It can be dense, or downright futile for some to delve too soon in it.

[@adryanadiniz8453]

Just found your channel. What a joy! I'm a protestant but journeying into the mystic Christian tradition thus learning more from the Catholics. God bless you!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Welcome! God bless you too!

[@mrgetinge]

Thank you your review for explaining St. Teresa's description of the spiritual journey of earthly beings. FYI, St. Teresa's "7 Mansions" are very similar to the different realms in the Afterlife described by Out of Body Experiencers who wrote books described by R. Monroe, William Buhlman, Jurgen Ziewe - purgatory realms. The 4th mansion of St. Teresa is very similar to description given by an Anglican nun Frances Banks who died in the in 1950s and telepathically described being in this 4th realm to her friend & author Helen Greaves in her book "Testimony of Light" and her doing missionary work to help a dead Nazi criminal and a dead Jewish woman victim of the Nazi criminal recover while trapped in the 1st purgatory realm or Mansion. This means that we are spiritual beings having earthly existence as physical beings. As life continues after physical death, spiritual beings continue on with our spiritual journey in the afterlife in one of the 7 Mansions that St. Teresa described.

[@inthesecretplace-theholine7788]

Beautifully said, sis. God bless ❤

[@BiblicalBookworm]

God bless you too!

[@jeannettewilliams6086]

Thanks for the summary! I tried to read Interior Castles years ago and I gave up in "despair" when I hit the 4th castle! I couldn't imagine anyone being holier than that and I was only half way! I felt I had no hope. (I don't mean that literally, of course! I just felt by the 4th castle maybe the way you felt at the 7th!) So I clicked on this video to find out what happens in the rest of the castles to see if now I'm spiritually mature enough to read it through. I agree with you, I feel like at times I could fit anywhere into the first 3 castles, depending on the day, haha! Thanks so much, Elizabeth!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome! 😊

[@msjoanofthearc]

Thank you, this is a most important work. I read it myself and this book is still in my library. You presented an excellent synopsis of the Castles, again great description.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Thank you!

[@Anna-zc6ch]

Elisabeth, thank you very much for this summary! This is a very interesting subject. Anna Katharina Emmerick mentioned that in her visions. Her visions are a must-read for me! It seams that most of us still have a lot of work to do 😊😘

[@BiblicalBookworm]

I haven´t read Emmerick yet, thank you for the recommendation. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) 🌞

[@goldikova1]

I've never heard anyone talk about this book before. One of the biggest influences on me from many years ago. Her experience was so advanced.

[@coobye]

I read St Teresa many years ago. I'm not aligned with any particular doctrine. Just looking for the truth everywhere like everyone else who's serious about it. She's describing Kundalini. The 7 mansions are the 7 chakras. The 7th mansion is enlightenment. All religions are similar if you are prepared to open your mind and delve deeper into them.

[@brokula1312]

Great review. She is one of the greats in the Church.

[@willchristie2650]

I'm 71 years old and confess I am probably in the 2nd mansion most of the time, ascending into the 3rd on occasion. I don't feel bad about this, since I have led a busy life and haven't been able to spend hours every day in contemplation within a cloistered order. We must apply her views to our reality in the 21st century.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

As far as I understand everyone is called to pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18). Since contemplative prayer isn't possible 24/7 a solution is to offer up everything we do throughout the day. We are all called to sanctity and with God's grace everyone can become a saint! 🙏

[@AveMaria1917]

798 December 9, 1936. This morning, I left for Pradnik. Sister Chrysostom drove me here. I have a private room to myself; I am very much like a Carmelite. When Sister Chrysostom had left and I was alone, I steeped myself in prayer, entrusting myself to the special protection of the Mother of God. She alone is always with me. She, like a good Mother, watches over all my trials and efforts. Dear Saint Faustina please pray for her. Oftentimes following St. Teresa of Avila requires a work or act of Mercy by God, towards ourselves.

[@lumpichu]

So well done, thank you! And even from your summary I felt I have the same problem as I was a mix from 2nd to 5th. That maybe makes the whole idea of specific mansions somewhat incorrect. I'm far from being detached from all wordly and especially from desiring crosses, but I'm pretty disgusted by most wordly affairs and I'm very offended when God is offended... and I see it hidden in most wordly things, events, news, "art"... By the way, regarding the consolations in prayer, I love one of the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich which she described this way: "I was kneeling in my accustomed place in church, and I saw by the brilliant light that shone around two beautifully dressed ladies in prayer at the foot of the High Altar. With heartfelt emotion I watched them praying so devoutly, when two dazzling crowns of gold were let down as if by a cord over their heads. I drew near and saw that one crown rested on the head of one of the ladies, while the other remained suspended in the air a little above the head of the second. At last, they both arose and I remarked to them that they had been praying earnestly. 'Yes,' replied the second, 'it is a long time since I prayed as devoutly and with as much consolation as I have done today.' But the first on whose head the crown had rested, complained that, although she had wanted to pray fervently, yet all kinds of thoughts and distractions had assailed her against which she had to fight the whole time. Now I saw clearly by this that the dear God looks only at the heart in time of prayer."

[@BiblicalBookworm]

That passage is really beautiful! Thank you for sharing it!

[@lowellnorristhecatholiccou8322]

Your book reviews are amazing! Thank you!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Thank you for your nice comment! 😊

[@christophewakim3587]

I love this book thanks a lot 📙😊❤️🌟

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome😊🌞

[@christophewakim3587]

@@BiblicalBookworm hey I got a link where a theologian explain in French about the 7th chamber of the castle me to I don't understand it kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGrYYoVmnN13isU

[@BiblicalBookworm]

@@christophewakim3587 Aaaa merci beaucoup, je le comprends mieux maintenant. C´est une très belle vidéo de M. Dumouch 👍🏻😊

[@christophewakim3587]

@@BiblicalBookworm 😊

[@tracey-leemaass8853]

Loved your review. Busy reading the book myself. Think the summary is essential to recap the truths learned! Brilliant!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@noeldoyle4501]

Thank you for your good work and helpful information. I tried reading this book in the past but never got through the long section on the " Third Mansion ". An experienced, consecrated Christian once told me that our soul can move about, spending some time in a lower Mansion or occasionally spending some time in a higher Mansion that we are not yet ready for. The greatest thing possible for a human person is Divine Union, the very highest education is to know God, and the greatest possible ambition open to a human person is to love, adore, and please God. Thanks again for your good work.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You could try listening to the audiobook version! That might help getting past the third mansion 😊

[@noeldoyle4501]

@@BiblicalBookworm Thanks, and it would save me from eyestrain too!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

@@noeldoyle4501 🤓👍

[@terencebanseka661]

Beautiful explanation. Thanks so much🎉

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome! 😊

[@harroldt9092]

I love how your video is very straight to the point. Thanks so much Elizabeth!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome! I'm happy you like it! 😊

[@harroldt9092]

​@@BiblicalBookworm Very timely for when I was looking for resources about St. Teresa and a deeper prayer life. You surely are a blessing. I thank God for you and may God bless your works even more.

[@monarchlifestyle6299]

Thanks for your review

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome!

[@elemeno9463]

Fantastic video. Thank you.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

I'm happy you liked it!

[@shaneshapiro836]

Dear Elisabeth - I am pleased to have watched your video on Las Moradas - El Castillo Interior (Castellano version). I am just finishing fourth mansions and thus far Santa Teresa has proven to be a key female writer and pillar of our faith. I have subscribed to your channel and God bless you and yours. David.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

God bless you too David!

[@ElevatedMind0922]

Hi Elisabeth! Thank you for this video on Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila, I’ve been fascinated by the life of St. Teresa for awhile now and definitely decided to read it after listening to a podcast on it from Discerning Hearts with Dr. Anthony Lilles. I just started and it’s very interesting so far. Glad to see a channel like this reviewing Christian/Catholic books. Subscribed instantly 😊 May your channel continue to grow and Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Thank you! Merry Christmas! 🎄😊

[@vinuvarghes]

Amazing 👍👏... I'm looking forward to get a copy of this book... I hope I can find the guidance and instructions on contemplative spiritual life and catholic mysticism. Dankeschön Biblical Bookworm 👍

[@BiblicalBookworm]

I hope you'll like the book 😊

[@stephen3774]

Well done Elizabeth! I also read the paper you posted. I believe one day you will explore the Inner Castle. - you're pure of heart thank you (I subscribed to your channel )

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Thank you! Welcome to my channel! 😊

[@Floridiansince94]

I am currently reading Interior Castle

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Cool! I hope you like it 🤓

[@Scb30476]

Thank you for this video !!!👍🏻🙏🏻

[@BiblicalBookworm]

You're welcome 😊

[@Scb30476]

@@BiblicalBookworm I love how straight to the point it was and explain perfectly 👍🏻

[@anneariki5475]

Thanks for the video.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

😊

[@anneariki5475]

Plan to grab hold of the book sooner and read because I’m doing a class presentation on Teresa of Avila.

[@scorpy6331]

Enjoying learning about the contents of this book, another future faith growing project for me…I’m curious what your video would sound like on a exploration into the books, apparently approved of by Mary herself to the seers from Medjugorje…of Maria Valtorta…curious in a humble way, God’s Will on this first.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

I personally try to avoid apparitions and visions and stuff like that. So unfortunately I won't be able to cover that topic on my channel. I'm not saying that apparitions don't happen but I'm currently not able to handle them because they add a new layer of theological complexity which I'm not ready for yet.

[@kimberlyhall3992]

Love ur book reviews!Your hair is so pretty by the way.What shampoo do u use? I hope that's not too creepy to ask!

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Thank you, that's really sweet! I'd mostly say the hair is genetics, I just try not to damage it by hardly ever using heat and I've also never coloured it or something like that. But no specific shampoo 🤷‍♀️ The question is not creepy at all hahah but feel free to email me in such matters, I'd say it's a little weird to discuss that here 😅

[@kimberlyhall3992]

@Biblical Bookworm thank u for ur reply! Yes it is a little weird...sorry!🤪🤣

[@redlander55]

While you were describing the book I had the same thought as your conclusion.

[@rosiejo528]

Great summary Thankyou! I wonder if in life we can sometimes fluctuate from one mansion to another . Like sometimes we might feel that we’re in mansion 5 but then if we go through something tough in life we can feel like we’ve fluctuated back to like mansion 3? I don’t know , but just wondering?? Xx

[@BiblicalBookworm]

I'm pretty sure that we can fluctuate between mansions as eg. sometimes holy people stop practicing their faith.

[@changedlife1904]

Good review , I consider my mansion at 2 or a 1 going to 2 , hopefully ☺

[@pratiic4795]

Danke für das Video :)

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Bitte gerne :)

[@Mr._Anderpson]

Looks like I've been a bit deficient in my reading & need to add some things to the list. I haven't read any of the female Church doctors. It is always intriguing to read the writers who pre-date the 19th century & the cultural & societal changes of the modern or postmodern world. They speak much more freely, with a conviction of faith rarely seen in later books. (Or perhaps I've simply not found one yet.)

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Tbh I haven't read many modern Catholic books (yet) so I don't really know how they compare to older ones... But I'm happy to hear that you consider adding books to your list :)

[@simontsegaygebre4196]

I like it. At leat I have some idea. Do it again and again . in prices way with illustration . God bless you.

[@BiblicalBookworm]

God bless!

[@gobrad]

Very well expressed and simplified… I’d find it difficult having to live in the world yet avoid it… Is imagine this possible fir a nun or recluse, but the distractions in daily life is too overwhelming … If I may ask, how do you manage ?

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Being in the world but not of it is probably objectively difficult so you're not the only one who struggles with this. I recently read something on this topic: in 12 steps to holiness, St. Alphonsus writes about poverty as a step to holiness. He says that the point is detachment from worldy possessions and not necessarily their abscence in ones life. He explains that a nun that is financially poor desires to possess something, she is not poor in the way that is required in the Bible. I would say that this can be applied to "being in the world but not of it" in general: the goal is detachment (=not desiring the things of this world) and this can be achieved in the world as well as in a convent/monastery.

[@gobrad]

@@BiblicalBookworm Many thanx for your prompt and wise response… love from Ireland 🇮🇪 ❤️

[@thomastompkins8602]

@@BiblicalBookworm Also doing our work "whole heartedly" "as for/to the Glory of God" and not worrying about the outcome. We see ourselves as working directly for Jesus regardless of the organization, manager or independent work we do. This can be very freeing and lead to "joy in action".

[@juliasmet6052]

I love your reviews!! So well done! Are you a theology student?

[@BiblicalBookworm]

No, those books are like a hobby :)

[@KS-er5jl]

😊💗

[@BiblicalBookworm]

💞

[@turnmeondeadman4221]

currently reading this. its a hard read ,idk cause of the translation but i feel like I'm reading it and not taking in most of the information

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Honestly, I felt the same way

[@simontsegaygebre4196]

Give name to your media .

[@user-bl4lf9rg8m]

I was reading it long time ago and yesterday again. Im somehow discouraged by this book as it seems impossible for me 😒

[@BiblicalBookworm]

Don't force yourself to read it! Read what you feel like reading right now!

[@BakiSmaki27]

7 mansions, 7 chakras 🤔

[@BiblicalBookworm]

It's possible that there are similarities!

[@simontsegaygebre4196]

Do not be discouraged you did not do funny thing to attract people. The word of God is series ony series people will follow it.

[@kaylamom3]

You’re looking for the word serious, not series.