Blog Archives

Why We’re Unhappy

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Dave Small — Leave a comment

[Our] Lord sometimes gives the soul feelings of jubilation and a strange prayer it doesn’t understand. (Interior Castle: Sixth Mansions: Chapter Six) These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine…

Tagged with: 500, Act 2, An American Childhood, Annie Dillard, Christian formation, Christian Mysticism, Dave Small, Divine Favors, Humility, Interior Castle, Interior Life, Kieran Kavanaugh, Message Bible, Mystical Prayer, Otilio Rodriguez, Prayer of Jubilation, Self-knowledge, Sixth Dwelling Places, Sixth Mansions, Sixth Mansions of the Interior Castle, Spiritual Guidance, Supernatural Prayer, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Avila Turns 500, The Interior Castle, Theresa of Avila, Theresa of Avila Turns 500
Posted in 6th Mansions - Chapter 6

False Tears

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Dave Small — 4 Comments

Teresa challenges spiritual experiences governed by emotionalism and excessive crying. People cry. Crying is a normal emotional response. Some people cry more than others. Crying is not a sign of weakness, in fact, some people with great emotional strength cry.…

Tagged with: 500, Christian formation, Christian Mysticism, Christianity, Crying, Dave Small, Dave_Small, Divine Favors, Emotionalism, False Tears, Interior Castle, Mystical Prayer, Self-knowledge, Sin, Sixth Dwelling Places, Sixth Mansions, Sixth Mansions of the Interior Castle, Spain, Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Director, spiritual formation, Spiritual Guidance, Spiritual Guide, Supernatural Prayer, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Avila Turns 500, The Devil, The Interior Castle, Theresa of Avila, Theresa of Avila Turns 500
Posted in 6th Mansions - Chapter 6

A Leadership Problem

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Dave Small — Leave a comment

According to Teresa, “God gives these souls [in the Sixth Mansions] the strongest desire not to displease him in anything, however small, and the desire to avoid if possible every imperfection.” But this passion for holiness leaves these individuals conflicted. Teresa…

Tagged with: 500, and the Will to Lead, Christian formation, Christian Mysticism, Christianity, Church Leadership, Dave Small, Dave_Small, Desert, Ginsburg, Interior Castle, Kieran Kavanaugh, Leadership, Lean In, Lean In: Women, Marcia Falk, Otilio Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sanberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Sixth Dwelling Places, Sixth Mansions, Sixth Mansions of the Interior Castle, Song of Solomon, Song of Songs, Spain, Spiritual Desert, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Avila Turns 500, The Interior Castle, Theresa of Avila, Theresa of Avila Turns 500, Women and Leadership, Women in Church Leadership, Work
Posted in 6th Mansions - Chapter 6

I Want to be Left Alone

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Dave Small — Leave a comment

Great Garbo I never said, ‘I want to be alone.’ I only said, “I want to be left alone.’ There is all the difference. (Greta Garbo) For this reason alone, if for no other, the soul wants to flee people,…

Tagged with: 500, Christian formation, Christian Mysticism, Christianity, Dave Small, Dave_Small, Desert, Divine Favors, Garbo, Greta Garbo, Interior Castle, Just Like Greta, Mystical Prayer, Rapture, Raptures of the Soul, Sixth Dwelling Places, Sixth Mansions, Sixth Mansions of the Interior Castle, Spiritual Director, Spiritual Favors, Spiritual Guide, Spiritual Warfare, Supernatural Prayer, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Avila Turns 500, The Devil, Theresa of Avila, Theresa of Avila Turns 500, Van Morrison
Posted in 6th Mansions - Chapter 6

	Dave Small on Spiritual Greed
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	Dave Small on It’s Only Practice
	Christy B on It’s Only Practice