Teresa of Jesus
"The Life"
Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Discussion of Chapter 10
She begins to explain
- the graces God gave her in prayer, and
- how much we can do for ourselves, and
- of the importance of understanding
God's mercies towards us.
- She requests those to whom
this is to be sent
to keep the remainder (of this book) secret,
since they have commanded her
to go into so many details
about the graces God has shown her.
- The Graces She Received in Prayer.
- What We Can Do Ourselves.
- The Great Importance of Understanding
What Our Lord Is Doing for Us.
- She Desires Her Confessors
to Keep Her Writings Secret,
Because of the Special Graces
of Our Lord to Her,
Which They Had Commanded Her
to Describe.
CHAPTER 10
Discussion Questions:
__________________
1a). In paragraph #1, what prayer experience
did St. Teresa describe?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
1b). How does St. Teresa
define mystical theology
and the effects on the faculties?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
2). In paragraph #2, St. Teresa describes
her prayer state
that she experienced
prior to her experience of
consciousness of the presence of God
and mystical theology.
2a). How does she describe
her previous prayer state?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
2b). Can one totally earn this prayer state
or is it a gift of God?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2, 3 ]
2c). What, if anything, can be attempted
by one's own effort?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2, 3 ]
2d). What does she recommend one to do?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2]
2e). How does she describe
the benefits of this prayer state?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
3). How does St. Teresa advise one
who has received the grace
of this prayer state,
("tenderness in devotion") ?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 3 ]
4a). In Paragraph #4, St. Teresa warns of
two mistakes regarding Humility.
What are these mistakes and
Why does she say these are mistakes?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4, 5 ]
4b). What does she advise the soul
to do in accordance with humility?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4, 5, 6 ]
5a). What is the "precious pearl"
which St. Teresa advises us
to remember,
which powerfully invites us to love."?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 7, 6, 5 ]
5b). Of what, is this the fruit?
and what "must we acknowledge"?
[ Life: Ch. 10: #7]
6). In Paragraph #8, St. Teresa continues
to discuss and clarify "the condition
on which the Lord "dispenses His treasures".
6a). What does she recommend people do?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8 ]
6b). What does she say regarding
our (human) nature and
Why is the acknowledgement of God's
love and gifts important?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8,9 ]
7). According to a manuscript footnote #5,
the Confessors "to whom this is to be sent,
was F. Pedro Ybañez,
of the Order of St. Dominic
Of what was St. Teresa instructed
to give an account?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 13, 10 ]
8 ). What warning does St. Teresa give
regarding the ability to understand
her description of
"these matters which concern prayer"?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 14 ]
_______________________
1a). In paragraph #1, how did St. Teresa
describe her prayer experience?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
St. Teresa said that she experienced the
consciousness of the presence of God
What: - "a feeling of the presence of God
would come over me unexpectedly"
- so that I could
in no wise doubt
either that
-- He was within me,
or that
-- I was wholly absorbed in Him.
How:
- "It was not by way of vision"
When:
- When I formed those pictures
within myself
of throwing myself at the feet of Christ
- sometimes "when picturing Christ...and
sometimes when reading"
Duration:
- it used to pass quickly away
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
_________________________________
1b). How does St. Teresa define
mystical theology
and the effects on the faculties?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
In Chapter 10, Paragraph #1, St. Teresa described
mystical theology and the effects on the faculties as:
- "The soul is suspended in such a way
that it seems to be
utterly beside itself.
- The will loves;
- the memory...
seems...as (if) it were lost;
- the understanding...
makes no reflections--
yet is not lost:
it is not at work,
but it stands as if amazed
at the greatness
of the things it understands;
for God wills it to understand
that it understands
nothing whatever
of that which His Majesty
places before it.
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 1 ]
_________________
2). In paragraph #2, St. Teresa describes
her prayer state that she experienced
prior to her experience of
consciousness of the presence of God
and mystical theology.
2a). How does she describe
her previous prayer state?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
Previously St. Teresa had experienced
"a certain tenderness of soul"
"Before this, I had a
certain tenderness of soul
which was very abiding..."
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
________________________
2b). Can one totally earn this prayer state
or is it a gift of God?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2, 3 ]
St. Teresa said that
- This is "entirely the gift of God".
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
- though without God
nothing can be done--
- cannot...be purchased
with all the labours
of the world
...[ Life: Ch. 10:# 3 ]
________________________
2c). What, if anything,
can be attempted
by one's own effort?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2, 3 ]
St. Teresa stated that this prayer state
can not be obtained by one's own effort
without the help of God;
Yet, she said
- that one can,
with the help of God,
try to dispose themselves.
- that through prayer and
efforts toward detachment
perhaps one can "almost", "partially"
evoke compassion/openheartedness/love.
This "tenderness of soul was
- ...was...partially attainable,
in some measure,
by our own efforts:
- a consolation which is
not wholly in the senses,
nor yet altogether in the spirit,
- but is all of it the gift of God".
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
"for one of those tears...
- are almost in our own power,
- though without God
nothing can be done--
"for one of those tears...
( that "certain tenderness of soul")
cannot...be purchased
with all the labours
of the world..."
...[ Life: Ch. 10:# 3 ]
"His Majesty seems to reward
this slight carefulness of ours
with so grand a gift
as is this consolation"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
_________________________________
2d). What does she recommend one
to do?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
In regard to recommendations regarding
disposing ourselves toward this prayer state,
St. Teresa said:
"I think we can contribute much
towards the attaining of it by:
~Rejoicing in the contemplation
- of His works,
- of His greatness, and
- of the love that He bears us.
~ Considering
- our vileness and
- our ingratitude towards God
- the great things He has done for us
- His Passion, with its grievous pains and
- His life, so full of sorrows;
There are...Many other considerations...
which he who really desires
to make progress
will often stumble on,
though he may not be very much
on the watch for them".
~ Love
"If with this,
there be a little love,
- the soul is comforted,
- the heart is softened,
and tears flow.
...[ Life: Ch. 10:#2 ]
________________________________
2e). How does she describe
the benefits of this prayer state?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2, 3 ]
Regarding the benefits
of this prayer state,
(this tenderness of the soul)
St. Teresa states that the soul receives:
- comfort,
- encouragement, and
- joy
"If with this,
there be a little love,
- the soul is comforted,
- the heart is softened,
and tears flow".
"Sometimes it seems that
we do violence to ourselves and weep;
at other times, our Lord seems to do so,
so that we have no power to resist Him.
His Majesty seems
to reward this slight carefulness of ours
with so grand a gift as is this consolation
which He ministers to the soul
of seeing itself weeping for so great a Lord.
I am not surprised;
for the soul has reason enough,
and more than enough, for its joy.
Here it comforts itself--here it rejoices."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 2 ]
"These joys in prayer are like
what those of heaven must be.
And in truth, in the beginning,
a soul
in which God works this grace
thinks that now
it has scarcely anything more to desire,
and counts itself abundantly rewarded
for all the service it has rendered Him.
And what greater gain
can we have
than some testimony of
our having pleased God?
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 3 ]
________________
3). How does St. Teresa advise one
who has received the grace
of this prayer state,
("tenderness of soul") ?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 3 ]
St. Teresa advised:
"Let him, then,
who shall have attained to this:
- give praise unto God
- acknowledge himself to be
one of God's greatest debtors;
because it seems to be His will
to take him into His house,
having chosen him for His kingdom,
if he does not turn back.
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 3 ]
__________________
4a).In Paragraph #4, St. Teresa warns regarding
two mistakes regarding Humility.
What are these mistakes and
Why does she say these are mistakes?
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4, 5 ]
Regarding Humility, St. Teresa warns against
(1) the failure to acknowledge a gift from God
She teaches of the importance of
- realizing and acknowledging the gifts / graces
that God grants us
in order to be thankful for the gifts / graces
that God grants us
"Some think it humility
not to believe
that God is bestowing His gifts
upon them".
Why:
~ To fail to acknowledge a gift from God
- is not humility
- does not allow us to be thankful for these gifts.
if we do realize that the Lord is
bestowing gifts upon us
~ An acknowledgement of His generosity:
- Prompts us to thank Him
for these graces and gifts
- Arouses us to love Him
"let us be grateful to His Majesty
for them (His gifts) ;"
for if we do not recognize the gifts
received at His hands,
we shall never be moved to love Him".
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4 ]for if we do not recognize the gifts
received at His hands,
we shall never be moved to love Him".
"It is a most evident truth,
that our love for a person
is greater,
the more distinctly we remember
the good he has done us."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5 ]
- Does not assert that we have actually
earned or merited these gifts
by our own labors and efforts;
So, does not evoke self-pride
Since we realize the gift
is not deserved by our efforts.
"God bestows His gifts
without any merit whatever
on our part;
"It is a most certain truth,
that the richer
we see ourselves to be,
confessing at the same time
our poverty,
the greater will be our progress,
and the more real our humility."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4 ]
(2) Similarly, she warns against
the soul being fearful,
"thinking itself incapable
of receiving great blessings".
Why:
"An opposite course tends
to take away all courage;
for we shall think ourselves
incapable of great blessings,
if we begin to frighten ourselves
with the dread of vain-glory
when our Lord begins
to show His mercy upon us.."
This, she says, is a temptation.
"Let us believe that
He Who gives these gifts
will also,
when the devil begins
to tempt us herein,
give us
- the grace to detect him, and
- the strength to resist him--
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5 ]
___________________________
4b). What does she advise the soul to do
in accordance with humility?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4, 5, 6 ]
Regarding Humility, St. Teresa advises:
- To acknowledge
the gifts and graces
that we receive from God
so that we will grow
in gratitude and love for Him.
"and let us be grateful
to His Majesty for them;
for if we do not recognize the gifts
received at His hands,
we shall never be moved to love Him"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4 ]
"It is a most evident truth,
that our love for a person is greater,
the more distinctly we remember
the good he has done us."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5 ]
"it is lawful, and so meritorious,
always to remember
- that we have our being from God,
- that He has created us out of nothing,
- that He preserves us,
and also to remember
- all the benefits of His death and Passion,
which He suffered
long before He made us
for every one of us now alive--
...[ Life: Ch. 10: #6 ]
always to remember
- that we have our being from God,
- that He has created us out of nothing,
- that He preserves us,
and also to remember
- all the benefits of His death and Passion,
which He suffered
long before He made us
for every one of us now alive--
...[ Life: Ch. 10: #6 ]
- To remember that these are gifts,
undeserved, unearned and unmerited
by our efforts.
They are not payments for our labors.
God grants gifts
to benefit those in need
according to His will;
not according to our will
merits or capabilities.
"It is a most certain truth,
that the richer we see ourselves to be,
confessing at the same time our poverty,
the greater will be our progress,
and the more real our humility"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 4 ]
- Not to think we are
"incapable of great blessings".
....[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5]
- Depend on God for graces,
not on our own efforts or capabilities.
- Pray for the grace
to resist temptations against humility.
"Let us believe that
He Who gives these gifts
will also,
when the devil begins
to tempt us herein,
give us
- the grace to detect him, and
- the strength to resist him
...He will do so
if we walk in simplicity before God,
aiming at pleasing Him only,
and not men.
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5 ]
_________________
5a). What is the "precious pearl"
which St. Teresa advises us
to remember,
which powerfully
invites us to love."?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 7, 6, 5 ]
Here, St. Teresa continues to teach about
- Acknowledgement and valueing
the gifts and mercies of God,
- Thankfulness for them, and
- detachment.
St. Teresa reminds us that we already
have received so many blessings from God.
... a precious pearl, which,
when we remember
- that it is given us, and
- that we have it in possession,
powerfully invites us to love."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 7]
Our acknowledgement and thankfulness
for these blessings, "invites us to love"
since "our love for a person is greater,
the more distinctly we remember
the good he has done us."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 5 ]
St. Teresa advises one
"always to remember" that God
- not only created and preserves us,
- He suffered for us, all,
"it is...so meritorious,
always to remember
- that we have our being from God,
- that He has created us out of nothing,
- that He preserves us,
and also to remember
- all the benefits of His death and Passion,
which He suffered
long before He made us
for every one of us now alive
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 6]
- And also, similar to her experience,
He gives to those who are
"so utterly undeserving"
and attached to "vanities".
the "grace
to speak only of Himself"
(detachment from temporal things)
"...I was once accustomed
to speak of vanities,
and... now
our Lord has given me
the grace to speak only of Himself"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 6]
When one does realize
and acknowledge the gift
of "contempt
- of the world and
- of self",
which one has received
from God
one should "consider oneself
a "greater debtor" to
His mercy and love,
thereby, inviting (one) to love".
"It is clear that
- such souls
must consider themselves
-- greater debtors-
-- under greater obligations
to serve Him:
- we must acknowledge that
we have nothing of ourselves, and
- confess the munificence of our Lord,
Who, on a soul...
so utterly undeserving,...
would bestow greater riches"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 7]
_________________
5b). Of what, is this the fruit?
and What "must we acknowledge"?
[ Life: Ch. 10: #7]
St. Teresa stated:
"All this is the
- fruit of prayer
- founded on humility".
"We must
- acknowledge that
we have nothing of ourselves, and
- confess the munificence of our Lord,
Who, on a soul
so wretched and poor, and
so utterly undeserving,
as mine is,--
...would bestow greater riches
than I could desire.
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 7]
__________________
6). In Paragraph #8, St. Teresa continues to
discuss and clarify "the condition on which
the Lord "dispenses His treasures".
6a). What does she recommend people do?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8 ]
St. Teresa recommends:
- perseverence in prayer,
striving with the help of God ,
to practice virtue, good works
- Thanksfulness, gratitude
for His mercies and gifts
"We must
- renew our strength to serve Him
- strive not to be ungrateful,
because it is on this condition
that our Lord dispenses His treasures;
for if we do not make a good use
- of them, and
- of the high estate
to which He raises us,
He will return and take them from us,
and we shall be poorer than ever.
For how shall he be useful, and
how shall he spend liberally,
who does not know that he is rich?
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8 ]
_____________________
6b). What does she say regarding
our (human) nature and
Why is the knowledge of God's
love and gifts important?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8, 9 ]
St. Teresa teaches that
our natures are self-seeking but
if one is ever mindful and thankful
of the mercies and graces
that they have received from God,
they will be
- inspired to love and
- strengthened in detachments
- encouraged in trials
- strengthened in Faith
Regarding our nature, St. Teresa said:
"Our nature is so dead,
that we go after that
which we see immediately before us"
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 9]
"It is not possible, I think,
our nature being what it is,
that he can have the courage
necessary for great things
who does not know
that God is on his side;
for so miserable are we,
so inclined to the things
of this world,
... [ Life: Ch. 10: # 8 ]
Why is the knowledge of God's
love and gifts important?
- Since by our natures,
one "can hardly have
- any real abhorrence of,
- with great detachment from,
all earthly things
who does not see
that he holds some pledges
for those things that are above.
- It is by these gifts
that our Lord gives us that strength
which we
through our sins
have lost."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 8 ]
- "A man will hardly wish
to be held in contempt and abhorrence,
nor will he seek
after the other great virtues...
if he has not some pledges
of the love which God bears him,
together with a living faith.
- and it is these graces, therefore,
that quicken and strengthen our faith."
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 9]
_______________________
7). According to footnote #5,
the Confessor
"to whom this is to be sent"
was F. Pedro Ybañez,
of the Order of St. Dominic
Of what was St. Teresa instructed
to give an account?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 13, 10 ]
St. Teresa said she was instructed:
"... to give some account of the graces
which our Lord bestowed
upon me in prayer
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 13]
"I speak from my own experience,
as I have been commanded".
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 10 ]
______________________
8 ). What warning does St. Teresa give
regarding the ability to understand
her description of
"these matters which concern prayer"?
[ Life: Ch. 10: # 14 ]
She stated that
if persons do not have experience
of those prayer states
regarding which she is describing,
they will not be able to understand
all that she is trying to convey.
She indicates the limitations of:
- words in describing
her prayer experience
- her own limitation in expressing
her prayer experience.
( "How(ever) clear...I may wish
to make my account".)
"How clear soever
I may wish
to make my account of that
which relates to prayer,
it will be obscure enough
for those who are without experience".
...[ Life: Ch. 10: # 14 ]
__________________________
