Teresa of Avila
Teresa's writings reflect her visions of a spiritual journey inward to the ultimate spirituality and closeness with God. It is a complex passage and never can one fully understand all of the levels as they slowly make their way towards the "diamond" of complete spiritual connection. Teresa wrote for the Carmelites in the convent in their microcosm and needed to make her awakenings more accessible to them. Her metaphor can be compared to an artichoke; the layers that one pulls away to get to the center are comparable to the levels of the spiritual journey. Teresa communicates her theories by using a relatable extended metaphor, therefore allowing the spiritual journey to be open to both the nuns in her convent, and more of mankind, throughout history. Teresa makes a point that is very important to the understanding of the text; this journey is ineffable and cannot be easily explained. There is no one way to make the journey and no rules or regulations that force one into a path that is not right for them. Teresa was enlightened by God and shown the way, but the nuns were encouraged to find how God is reachable to them. The millions of options that are offered to the nuns and, further, mankind, are represented in the writings as
There is a great paradox within the text as Teresa encourages both humility ("And believe me, we shall practice much better virtue through God's help than by being tied down to our own misery" 43) and the goal to "go for the gold. In life, it is not what a person did; it is what a person did not do: "I once heard of a spiritual man who was not surprised at things done by a person in mortal sin, but at what was not done. May God in His mercy deliver us from so great an evil" (41). All are subject to temptation and one can be a good person without reaching the "King's Chamber," the diamond in the center of the artichoke. It is a psychological battle that Teresa addresses in the text because these "creepy-crawleys" prevent mankind from receiving others. The second issue is that it is unfortunate that we do not know who we are. Most regular churchgoers have made it as far as the third mansion and are in danger of getting stuck there. In 16th century Spain, the highest value in society was granted to those of pure blood. As written on page 40, "How is it possible that in realizing these things you don't strive to remove the pitch from this crystal? See that if your life comes to an end you will never again enjoy this light. One must take full advantage of the opportunities in life. The stages are not linear and are individualized based on the prayer. Teresa was "mixed blood" because she was half-Jewish. Saints have entered the King's Chamber and all should strive for that perfection in life. The goal of prayer is to become free from the doubts and fears, the physical distractions, and the static of life.
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Acceptance Essays
