What I call consolations from God, and elsewhere have termed the Prayer of Quiet, is something of a very different kind, as those of you will know, who by the mercy of God have experienced it.
You may recall in a previous blog post I wrote about Spiritual Sweetness and Spiritual Consolations. Spiritual Sweetness comes from our meditation and leads us to God. Spiritual Consolations comes solely from God without any effort or action on our part. Teresa has an analogy to explain this: There are two fountains and each have basins that fill with water. These basins can be filled different ways:
- “The water in the one comes from a long distance, by means of numerous conduits and through human skills.” (Spiritual Sweetness)
- “But the other has been constructed at the very source of the water and fills without making any noise.” (Spiritual Consolations or The Prayer of Quiet)
In the Prayer of Quiet the “basin becomes completely filled, and then this water begins to overflow to all the mansions and faculties, until it reaches the body.” This is “accompanied by the greatest peace and quietness”.
The Prayer of Quiet is a gift. No effort is required. It is not a measure of spirituality. We can do nothing to make the Prayer of Quiet happen, but we can be available and cooperate with the Holy Spirit. We can also detach from things that interfere with God’s activity. But most important, we can learn humility. Teresa says, “It is by humility that the Lord allows himself to be conquered so that He will do all we ask of Him”. Humility sits at the center of spiritual depth and progress.
For the Prayer of Quiet: Part 2 (click here)
For the Prayer of Quiet: Part 3 (click here)
For the Prayer of Quiet: Part 4 (click here)
For the Prayer of Quiet: Part 5 (click here)
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Teresa of Avila Turns 500 
This is one powerful insight. “But most important, we can learn humility. Teresa says, “It is by humility that the Lord ‘allows himself” to be ‘conquered’ so that He will do all we ask of Him”. Humility sits at the ‘center’ of spiritual depth and progress.”
Today, many would say God would never allow himself to be conquered because he is an all powerful God and and even if he did allow that He would never do ‘all’ we ask.
I guess my answer to that would have to be the humility of Jesus.
Tim,
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Dave