A cornerstone book on mystical theology, Interior Castle describes the seven stages of union with God. Using everyday language to explain difficult theological concepts, Teresa of Avila compares the contemplative life to a castle with seven chambers. Tracing the passage of the soul through each successive chamber, she draws a powerful picture of the path toward spiritual perfection. It is the most sublime and mature of Teresa's works, offering profound and inspiring reflections on such subjects as self-knowledge, humility, detachment, and suffering.

One of the most celebrated works...

The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila is one of the most remarkable life stories ever written. For here, in a scrupulously accurate translation that is beloved by the Carmelites, the great Reformer of Carmel describes her life and the extraordinary workings of grace within her soul. St. Teresa's vigorous prose shows forth her robust common sense, as well as her strong Catholic faith, which embraces wholeheartedly those teachings of Christ which the world finds most absurd. St. Teresa describes her own spiritual struggles, her long period of spiritual laxity, her vision of her potential...