One Spirit

Teresa of Avila: Interior Castle: Seventh Mansions: Chapter Two

Teresa continues her discussion of our union with Christ and the contrast between Spiritual Marriage and Spiritual Betrothal. (For background on this topic see Christ Living in Us and Joint Ownership.)

Spiritual Marriage: No Separation
Teresa says, “Between the spiritual betrothal and the spiritual marriage the difference is as great as that which exists between two who are betrothed and two who can no longer be separated.” 

Indwelling
In spiritual marriage, we experience the indwelling Christ at a deeper level than previously described in the Interior Castle. “This secret union takes place in the very interior center of the soul, which must be where God himself is, and in my opinion there is no need of any door for him to enter.”

One Spirit
Teresa says, “One can say no more – insofar as can be understood – than that the soul, I mean the spirit, is made one with God.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” 

Union
“He has desired to be so joined with the creature that, just as those who are married cannot be separated, he doesn’t want to be separated from the soul.”

God’s purpose is to create such a deep relationship with us that we become one spirit with him.

 

For this post I used a translation of The Interior Castle by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D., ICS Publications, Institute of Carmelite Studies: Washington D.C. Kindle Edition.

About Dave Small

Jesus Follower, Blogger, Public Speaker. Teresaofavilaturns500.wordpress.com

‹ Joint Ownership

The River ›

Tagged with: 500, Christian formation, Christian Mysticism, Christianity, Dave Small, Dave_Small, Divine Favors, I Corinthians 6, Indwelling, Indwelling Trinity, Interior Castle, Joint Ownership, Kieran Kavanaugh, Mystical Prayer, One Spirit, One Spirit with Christ, Otilio Rodriguez, Prayer, Prayer and mediation, Seventh Mansions, Spain, Spiritual Betrothal, Spiritual Favors, Spiritual Marriage, Supernatural Prayer, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Avila Turns 500, The Interior Castle, Theresa of Avila
Posted in 7th Mansions - Chapter 2