Interior Castle is the work of 16th
century Carmelite nun and Christian mystic St. Teresa of
Avila. She wrote Interior Castle as a spiritual guide to
union with God. Her inspiration for the work came from a
vision she received from God. In it, there was a crystal
globe with seven mansions, with God in the innermost
mansion. St. Teresa interpreted this vision as an allegory for the
soul's relationship with God; each mansion represents one place on a
path towards the "spiritual marriage"--i.e. union--with God in the
seventh mansion. One begins on this path through prayer and meditation.
She also describes the resistance that the Devil places in various
rooms, to keep believers from union with God. Throughout, she provides
encouragements and advice for spiritual development. Beyond its
spiritual merit, Interior Castle also contains much literary
merit as
a
piece of Spanish Renaissance literature. A spiritually challenging book,
Interior Castle stands on par with other great works of this
time,
such
as Dark Night of the Soul.