Discussion of Chapter 11 -
The Life of the Holy Mother
Teresa of Jesus
"The Life"
The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
In which she sets forth
- how it is that we do not love God
perfectly in a short time.
She begins to expound
- by means of a comparison four degrees of prayer,
- of the first (degree)
of which she treats here;
This is most profitable
for beginners and
for those who find no taste in prayer.
- Why Men Do Not Attain Quickly
to the Perfect Love of God.
- Of Four Degrees of Prayer.
- Of the First Degree (of prayer)
The Doctrine Profitable
for Beginners, and
for Those Who Have No Sensible Sweetness.
_________________________
Discussion Questions:
( There is a much redundancy
of content
in the attempt to allow each
of the question discussions
to be independent of the others.
This chapter's content is very
complex and edifying. )
1). How does St. Teresa describe those
who "resolve to follow (God)
...in the way of prayer " ?
[Life: Ch. 11: #1 ]
2). What obstacles holds souls back
from progressing ?
And what recommendations
pertain to these obstacles?
[Life: Ch. 11: #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,13,22,25]
3). St. Teresa compares the 4 stages of prayer
to 4 ways of watering a garden.
How does St. Teresa describe the 4 ways
that the garden (of the soul) can be watered?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 11, 12 ]
4a). How does St. Teresa describe
the labor of those
who are at the beginning stage of prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 1, 8, 10, 13, 14
4b). In the first degree of prayer',
what does St. Teresa say is
the "drawing water from the well"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #8, 11, 13, 14]
4c). Although their "soil (is) unfruitful,
and abounding in weeds,
what encouragement does St. Teresa give
to beginners in the first degree of prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #10, 13, 19 ]
5). What recommendations does she give
to beginners in prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 1, 23, 2,13,25,14, 6, 7, 19]
6). Can a person make progress in prayer
solely by their own efforts?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 13, 14, 25 ]
7). What advice does St. Teresa give to the soul
who experiences in prayer,
"only aridity, disgust, dislike, and
so great an unwillingness to go to the well for water,
that he would give it up altogether,"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 23, 25 ]
8a). Why might God grant favors
to some souls?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #14, 19, 21 ]
8b). What does St. Teresa advise regarding
one's observation that
others are receiving favors from God,
but not them"?
[Life: Ch. 11: #13, 19, 25, 18, 20, 21 ]
9). If one does receive spiritual favors,
what should they do?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #20, 21, 25 ]
10). According to St. Teresa, why are we given
trials in prayer and also temptations?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #18, 19 ]
[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
11a). When is "the greater part of your work...done"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
11b). When has the soul
"already travelled a great part of the road"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #20 ]
12). What recommendations does she give to those
who are beyond the beginner state of prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #13, 22, 23, 24 ]
[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
13). What does St. Teresa teach regarding
the activity of the faculties during prayer
[Life: Ch. 11: #13, 25, 22, 15, 1, 23, 14]
14). What did St. Teresa say and advise
regarding the prayer of those
with bodily indisposition?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #23, 24 ]
_______________________
1). How does St. Teresa describe
those who "resolve to follow (God)
...in the way of prayer " ?
[Life: Ch. 11: #1 ]
St. Teresa describes those
who "resolve to follow Him
in the way of prayer Him" as:
"those who begin to be the servants of love".
She states that, "servile fear vanishes at once
if we are, as we ought to be,
in the first degree."
- determined to love Thee
- doing all it can,
by forsaking all things,
in order that it may the
better occupy itself
with the love of God
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #1]
_______________________
2). What obstacles holds souls back
from progressing ?
And what recommendations
pertain to these obstacles?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,13,22,25 ]
St. Teresa identified the following obstacles
that hinder progress in prayer:
~ They have "not embraced the
Cross from the first".
~ Attachments
~ Lack of Perseverence
~ Not knowing how to proceed
amidst difficulties in prayer
~ The dangers and difficulties
which Satan puts before them
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
~ They have "not embraced the Cross
from the first".
"There are many,
who make a beginning,
but never come to the end;
(never progress as far as the goal)
and that is owing,
I believe, in great measure,
to their not having embraced the Cross
from the first.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
St. Teresa recommended:
"Let him begin
by not being afraid of the Cross,
and he will see
- how our Lord will help him to carry it,
- how joyfully he will advance, and
- what profit he will derive from it all.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25]
They who would follow Christ,
if they do not wish to be lost,
must walk in the way
He (Christ) walked Himself.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #8]
~ Attachments
We think we are giving all to God;
but, in fact,
- we are offering only the revenue
or the produce,
- while we retain the fee-simple of the land
in our own possession.
(offering the interest
but keeping the principal for ourselves)
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #2 ]
We resolve to become poor...
but we very often take great care
not to be in want,
- not simply of what is necessary,
- but of what is superfluous:
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #3 ]
St. Teresa said regarding
attachment to honor/pride
(as with other attchments)
that in times of distress or threat,
"we do not then remember
that we had given it up to God.
We would seize it again, and
take it, as they say, out of His Hands,
even after we had made Him...
the Lord of our own will".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #4 ]
"A pleasant way this,
of seeking the love of God!
we retain our own affections,
and yet will have that love... by handfuls."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #5 ]
"for the fault is wholly our own
that we do not rejoice...
seeing that the attaining
to the perfect possession of this true love
brings all blessings with it".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #1 ]
"We
- think so much of ourselves, and
- are so dilatory in giving ourselves wholly to God,
that, as His Majesty
-will not let us have the fruition
of that which is so precious but at a great cost,
- so neither do we perfectly prepare ourselves for it.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #2 ]
"...we are seeking things
that are incompatible one with the other".
So, because we
- do not give ourselves up wholly
(not detached from worldy things)
and
- do not give at once,
(not persevering and finishing),
this treasure is
-- not given wholly and
-- not given at once to us.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #5 ]
St. Teresa recommended:
"If, however, we
- did what we could,
- not clinging to anything upon earth,
- but having all our thoughts and conversation
in Heaven
I believe that this blessing
would quickly be given us,
provided we perfectly prepared ourselves
for it at once,
as some of the saints have done."
~ Lack of Perseverence
"We make no efforts
to bring our desires to good effect, or
to raise them resolutely above the earth;
and yet, with all this,
we (want) many spiritual consolations."
"So, because we do not give ourselves up...at once,
this treasure is
- not given wholly and
- not given at once to us."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #5 ]
St. Teresa advises:
"God withholds Himself
from no one who perseveres".
"He showeth great mercy unto him
to whom He gives the grace and resolution
to strive for this blessing with all his might;
He will by little and little
strengthen that soul,
so that it may come forth victorious."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #6 ]
~ Not knowing how to proceed
amidst difficulties in prayer:
- "They are distressed,
-- thinking they are doing nothing;
-- the understanding ceases from its acts,
-- and they cannot bear it.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
- wearied in keeping the senses recollected,
and this is a great labour,
because the senses have been hitherto
accustomed to distractions.
- Beginners at first suffer much,
because they are not convinced
that they are penitent for their sins;
- They...strive to meditate on the life of Christ
and the understanding is wearied thereby.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: 13]
~ The dangers and difficulties
which Satan puts before them
are so many,
that they have need,
- not of a little (resolution)
- but of a very great resolution,
- and great grace from God,
to save them from falling away."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #7]
_________________________
3). St. Teresa compares the 4 stages of prayer
to 4 ways of watering a garden.
Similar to tending a garden,
the 4 degrees of prayer range
- from the active-laborious stage
- to a passive automatic stage
in which the Lord showers the garden, Himself.
How does St. Teresa describe the 4 ways
that the garden (of the soul) can be watered?
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 11, 12 ]
St. Teresa stated that,
"It seems to me that
the garden may be watered in four ways:
(1) by water taken out of a well,
which is very laborious; or
(2) with water raised by means of an engine
and buckets, drawn by a windlass
... a less troublesome way than the first,
and gives more water; or
(3) by a stream or brook, whereby
the garden is watered in a much better way
-- for the soil is more thoroughly saturated,
-- and there is no necessity to water it so often,
-- and the labour of the gardener is much less; or
(4) by showers of rain,
when our Lord, Himself, waters it,
without labour on our part—
and this way is incomparably better
than all the others
of which I have spoken."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #11 ]
(Through) "... the application
of these four ways of irrigation...
the garden (of our soul) is to be maintained;
For without water, (the garden will) fail.
(By this) comparison...it seems...
I shall be able to explain...
the four degrees of prayer
to which our Lord, of His goodness,
has occasionally raised my soul.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #12 ]
________________________
4a). How does St. Teresa describe
the labor of those
who are at the beginning stage of prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 1, 8, 10, 13, 14]
St. Teresa states that:
the labour is greatest at first;
for it is
- they who toil,
our Lord, indeed, giving them strength.
In the other degrees of prayer,
there is more of fruition;
although they who are in:
- the beginning,
- the middle, and
- the end,
have their crosses to carry:
The crosses, however, are different.
They who would follow Christ,
if they do not wish to be lost,
must walk in the way, He walked Himself.
Blessed labours!
even here, in this life,
so superabundantly rewarded!
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #8 ]
A beginner must look upon himself
- as making a garden,
wherein our Lord may take His delight,
- but in a soil unfruitful, and abounding in weeds.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #10 ]
Servile fear vanishes at once,
if we are, as we ought to be,
in the first degree.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #1]
Those who are beginners in prayer...are those
- who draw the water up out of the well—
a process which...is very laborious;
-- for they must be wearied
in keeping the senses recollected,
and this is a great labour,
because the senses have been
hitherto accustomed to distractions.
Beginners at first suffer much,
because they are not convinced
that they are penitent for their sins;
and yet they are,
because they are so sincerely resolved
on serving God.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
When they "strive to meditate on the life of Christ
...the understanding is wearied.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
This is beginning
to draw water up out of the well
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14]
It will happen that he is often
unable
- to move his arms for that purpose, or
- to have one good thought:
Working with the understanding
is drawing water out of the well"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14]
[Note: St. Teresa seems to be saying that
in the very beginning of cultivating prayer habits,
one finds it laborious and fatiguing
to turn the mind from distractions
and recollect the thoughts and senses.
But she advises them to persevere.
Later in the 2nd degree of prayer,
The Prayer of Quiet,
St. Teresa describes periods in which the soul
(if brought to this state by God)
passively receives graces and peace.
At these periods, the understanding / intellect
also may find difficulty in reflection
and active discursive meditation.
During the Prayer of Quiet,
St. Teresa advises the person
- to quietly focus on God and is advised
- not to force intellectual activity.]
__________________________________
4b). In the first degree of prayer',
what does St. Teresa say is
the "drawing water from the well"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #8, 11, 13, 14]
St. Teresa said that,
"working with the Understanding
is drawing water out of the well"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14]
"...the labour is greatest at first;
for it is
- they who toil,
- our Lord, indeed, giving them strength.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #8]
St. Teresa taught that
"the garden may be watered in four ways".
She said that the first way of watering is done
"by water taken out of a well,
which is very laborious".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #11]
This she compares to the progression of the soul
as it cultivates prayer habits.
Hauling full buckets, carrying, then pouring them
onto the garden's surface is slow and laborious,
much like trying to
keep the intellect/understanding focused
on God amidst distractions.
"for they must be wearied
in keeping the senses recollected,
and this is a great labour,
because the senses have been
hitherto accustomed to distractions."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #11]
"They must strive to
meditate on the life of Christ,
and the understanding is wearied thereby.
Thus far we can advance of ourselves—
that is, by the grace of God—
for without that...
we never can have one good thought.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
St. Teresa seems to be saying that
in the very beginning of cultivating prayer habits,
one finds it laborious and fatiguing
to turn the mind from distractions and
to recollect the thoughts and senses.
Even with our own laborious efforts,
she advises that
"we never can have one good thought"
without the help of God.
___________________________
4c). Although their "soil (is) unfruitful,
and abounding in weeds,
what encouragement does St. Teresa give
to beginners in the first degree of prayer ?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #10, 13, 19 ]
St. Teresa said that
this (initial gardening) "is already done
when a soul
- is determined to give itself to prayer, and
- has begun the practice of it.
His Majesty
- roots up the weeds, and
- has to plant good herbs".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #10 ]
"Beginners at first suffer much,
because they are not convinced
that they are penitent for their sins;
and yet they are,
because they are so sincerely resolved
on serving God.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- There is no reason why
he should be distressed
who is already raised
to so high a degree as this
(who is habitually) wishing
- to converse in solitude
with God, and
- to abandon the
amusements of the world.
The greater part of the work is done
- give praise to His Majesty for it,
and
- trust in His goodness
who has never failed
those who love Him"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
____________________________
5). What recommendations does she give
to beginners in prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 1, 23, 2,13,25,14, 6, 7, 19]
St. Teresa recommends:
~ Attention to God
~ Seeking God; not self-seeking
Attachment to God:
~ Contrition and self-knowledge
~ Solitude:
~ Detachment:
~ Reliance upon God,
~ Make efforts, as much as possible,
despite limitations of the faculties,
in order to dispose
oneself to God's grace:
~ Perseverance in prayer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
St. Teresa recommends:
~ Attention to God
St. Teresa taught that:
- "It is this resolution
that (God) seeks in us;
...that...souls long to be always
-- thinking of Him and
-- loving Him.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
- "...having all our thoughts
and conversation in Heaven..."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #2 ]
- It is necessary for beginners
-- to accustom themselves to disregard
what they hear or see...and
-- to put it away from them
during the time of prayer"
...[Life: Ch. 11: #13]
~ Seeking God; not self-seeking:
(Attachment to God)
- "Let him begin by
not being afraid of the Cross,
and he will see
-- how our Lord will help him to carry it,
-- how joyfully he will advance, and
-- what profit he will derive from it all.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 25]
~ Contrition and self-knowledge
Beginners at first suffer much,
because they are not convinced
that they are penitent for their sins;
and yet they are (penitent)
because they are so sincerely resolved
on serving God.
...[Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- they must be alone, and
in retirement,
think over their past life.
...[Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- "...this matter of self-knowledge
must never be put aside
The knowledge
-- of our sins, and
-- of our own selves,
is the bread which we have to
eat with all the meats,
...without this bread,
life cannot be sustained,
though it must be taken by measure.
When a soul
-- beholds itself resigned, and
-- clearly understands that
there is no goodness in it
-- when it feels itself abashed
in the presence of
so great a King, and
-- sees how little it pays of the
great debt it owes Him--
...[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
~ Solitude:
(in order to focus on the presence of God)
( to avoid distractions in prayer)
- "they must be alone..."
...[Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- "to converse in solitude with God"
...[Life: Ch. 11: #19]
~ Detachment:
- "when a soul is determined
to love Thee
-- doing all it can,
-- by forsaking all things,
in order that it may the better
occupy itself with the love of God"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #1]
- "If... we
-- did what we could,
-- not clinging to anything upon earth,
-- but having all our thoughts
and conversation in Heaven,
I believe that this blessing
would quickly be given us,
provided we perfectly prepared ourselves
for it at once,
as some of the saints have done.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #2 ]
- to abandon the amusements of the world.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
~ Reliance upon God,
Pray for His help.
We can do nothing by our own efforts.
- "It is now clear,
if there is no water in the well,
that we at least can put none into it.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 25]
- "Thus far we can advance of ourselves—
that is, by the grace of God—
for without that...
we never can have one good thought.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
~ Make efforts, as much as possible,
despite limitations of the faculties
in order to dispose oneself to God's grace:
- They must strive
to meditate on the life of Christ,
(although) the understanding is wearied thereby.
...[Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- "This is beginning to draw water up out of the well.
God grant there may be water in it!
That, however, does not depend on us;
we are
-- drawing it, and
-- doing what we can
towards watering the flowers.
...[Life: Ch. 11: #14]
- It is true we must not be careless
about drawing it
when there is any in it,
because at that time
it is the will of God to multiply our virtues
by means thereof.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 25]
- So good is God, that when,
for reasons known to (Him),
perhaps for our greater good—
it is His will the well should be dry,
-- He Himself preserves the flowers
without water
-- we, like good gardeners,
doing what lies in our power
and makes our virtues grow.
...[Life: Ch. 11: #14]
By water here I mean tears,
and if there be none,
then tenderness
and an inward feeling of devotion".
...[Life: Ch. 11: #14]
St. Teresa teaches the beginner
to strive and pray
even if they experience difficulty
and aridity / dryness
(lack of a feeling of fervour or devotion)
in prayer.
It is our intention and effort in prayer
that will please God.
God will grace the soul
with feelings of devoutness or consolations
according to His will.
"That...does not depend on us;
we are ... doing what we can
towards watering the flowers".
- She taught that beginners should keep in mind
that if they experience dryness and difficulty
despite their efforts in prayer,
This is God's will for them,
knowing what is good for each soul,
and they should continue to strive
because He will surely
help them to grow in virtue and strength.
~ Perseverance in prayer:
- "For God withholds Himself
from no one who perseveres".
"He will by little and little
strengthen that soul,
so that it may come forth victorious".
"He showeth great mercy unto him
to whom He gives
the grace and resolution
to strive for this blessing with all his might"
"I say resolution, (perseverence, tenacity)
because of the multitude of those things
which Satan puts before it at first,
to keep it back from
beginning to travel on this road"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #6 ]
"...they have need,
- not of a little (resolution)
- but of a very great resolution, and
- great grace from God,
to save them from falling away."
...[Life: Ch. 11: #7]
"...it is of great importance to them
that they should begin
with this liberty and resolution"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
St. Teresa advises beginners
to persevere in prayer
despite the difficulty in concentration
and aridity.
It is only in their power
to make effort;
The experience or result
depends on the will of God.
________________________
6). Can a person make progress in prayer
solely by their own efforts?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 13, 14, 25 ]
No.
St. Teresa stated that,
"we never can have (even) one good thought"...
without...the grace of God".
"Thus far we can advance of ourselves—
that is, by the grace of God-
for without that...
we never can have one good thought".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 13 ]
But with the help of God,
beginners in prayer can
- strive to persevere in prayer,
- strive to become detached from temporal things.
in order to center the attention on God
and grow in love.
Regarding drawing water up out of the well:
"God grant there may be water in it!
That, however, does not depend on us;
we are drawing it, and
doing what we can
towards watering the flowers".
"So good is God, that when,
for reasons known to His Majesty—
perhaps for our greater good
it is His will (that) the
well should be dry,
- He Himself preserves the flowers
without water
- we, like good gardeners,
doing what lies in our power
and makes our virtues grow".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 14 ]
One can not advance by his own effort,
but should conform oneself to God's will.
"It is now clear,
if there is no water in the well,
that we at least can put none into it."
"...we must not be careless about drawing it
when there is any in it,
because at that time
it is the will of God to multiply our virtues
by means thereof"
...[Life: Ch. 11:# 25 ]
_________________________
7). What advice does St. Teresa give
to the soul who experiences in prayer,
"only aridity, disgust, dislike, and
so great an unwillingness
to go to the well for water,
that he would give it up altogether,"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: # 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25 ]
St. Teresa advises these souls:
~ Their Purpose is
to please God;
not themselves
~ to "Embrace the Cross
~ Strive to unite one's Will
to the Will of God
~ To Trust in God
~ To Rejoice in God's trust in them
that they will persevere
without reward.
~ To Persevere in prayer
to dispose oneself to God's grace
~ To strive for Humility
~ Thankfulness
~ Prayer's value
doesn't depend on consolations.
~ To Understand regarding
the activity of the faculties
during prayer;
To be aware
of the limitations of the human faculties.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
St. Teresa advises souls:
~ That their Purpose is
- to please God;
not themselves
- to seek God and
not their own comfort.
- "his purpose
must not be to please himself,
but (to please) Him (God)"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16]
- "that he has to please and serve
the Lord of the garden"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #15]
- ".... he is pleasing (God)
in the matter"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16]
- "let him not seek his kingdom here"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16 ]
- "He must
-- rejoice and
-- take comfort, and
-- consider it as the greatest favour
to labour in the garden
of so great an Emperor;
- St. Teresa prayed that
"a gift of so high a price
as that of Thy love...
never...be given to people
who serve Thee
only because of the sweetness
they find thereby."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
~ "Embrace the Cross
- "let him help Him
to carry the Cross, and
- let him think
how Christ carried it all His life long;
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16 ]
- so let him resolve,
if this aridity should last
even his whole life long,
never to let Christ fall down
beneath the Cross."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16 ]
- "I wish to suffer, because Thou,
O Lord, hast suffered;
Do Thou in every way
fulfil Thy will in me"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- Let him begin
by not being afraid of the Cross,
and he will see
-- how our Lord will help him
to carry it,
-- how joyfully he will advance, and
-- what profit he will derive
from it all".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25 ]
~ Strive to unite one's Will
to the Will of God
- "Let His Majesty guide us
whithersoever He will:
we are not our own, but His.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- He shows us mercy enough
when it is His pleasure
we should be willing
to dig in His garden,
and to be so near the Lord of it:
He certainly is near to us."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- "If it be His will
that these plants and flowers
should grow...
when He gives water
we may draw from the well,
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
We must not be careless about
drawing it (the water)
when there is any in it,
because at that time
it is the will of God
to multiply our virtues
by means thereof.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25 ]
~ Trust in God
- "Let him have no fear
that his labour is in vain:
he serves a good Master,
Whose eyes are upon him.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #17 ]
- "Let us believe that
all is for our greater good;
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- "The time will come
when he shall be paid once for all.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #17 ]
- Do not be distressed,
thinking that we are
-- making no progress or
-- at fault.
- "trust in His goodness
who has never failed those
who love Him."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- "What canst Thou do, O my Lord,
that is not for the greater good
of that soul...?
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
~ To Rejoice in God's trust in them
that they will persevere without reward.
- "let him praise Him greatly
for the trust He has in him
for God sees that,
without any recompense,
he is taking so much care of that
which has been confided to him"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16]
~ To Persevere in prayer
to dispose oneself to God's grace
- "For God withholds Himself
from no one who perseveres.
He will by little and little
strengthen that soul,
so that it may come forth victorious."
- to persevere even if
-- their "labour (is) so great
-- (and the) lowering the bucket
into the well so often,
and drawing it up
(results ) without water in it..."
- to persevere
"that his service was not in vain..."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #15]
- "they who toil,
our Lord...giving them strength".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #8]
- "let him not seek his kingdom here,
nor ever intermit his prayer"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #16 ]
- "all the anxieties
which I had to bear
when persevering in prayer
seem to me ever afterwards
perfectly rewarded".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #17 ]
~ to strive for Humility
- to accept the sufferings,
striving toward the
development of Humility,
and the other virtues.
- to acknowledge that our soul is
-- "a soil unfruitful, and
-- abounding in weeds"
and pray that the Lord will
-- "root... up the weeds...
-- plant good herbs.
...wherein our Lord may take His delight,
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #10 ]
- "..His Majesty should lead us
by this way, (through aridity)
so that we may perfectly understand
how worthless we are;
"for the graces which He gives afterwards
are of a dignity so great,
-- that He will have us by experience
know our wretchedness
before He grants (graces)".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #18]
~ Thankfulness
St. Teresa teaches the importance
of thankfulness to God
for His graces and gifts.
- "When I drew but one drop of water
out of this blessed well,
I considered it was a mercy of God"
- " if Thou hast given me any (virtue),
it is out of Thy mere goodness."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- St. Teresa taught that they should
-- "accept it, and
-- make much of it,
when God gives it—
because, when He gives it,
His Majesty sees it
to be necessary for them"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
~ Prayer's value
doesn't depend on consolations.
- "It is certain that the love of God
does not consist
-- in tears,
-- nor in this sweetness
and tenderness
which we for the most part desire,
and with which we console ourselves;
but rather in serving Him
in justice, fortitude, and humility".
"That seems to me
-- to be a receiving
-- rather than a giving
of anything on our part."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #20]
- One should be
"determined not to care much,
neither to rejoice
nor to be greatly afflicted,
whether sweetness and tenderness fail it,
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #20 ]
~ To Understand regarding
the activity of the faculties
during prayer
To be aware of the limitations
of the human faculties.
- St. Teresa acknowledges that
"they must be wearied in keeping
the senses recollected,
and this is a great labour,
because the senses have been
hitherto accustomed to distractions.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- "They must strive to meditate
on the life of Christ,
and the understanding is
wearied thereby.
... we can advance...
by the grace of God
for without that...we never can
have one good thought"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
- The experience of prayer
"does not depend on us;
we are drawing it, and
doing what we can towards
watering the flowers"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14]
- "It will happen that
he is often unable to move his arms
for that purpose
(of drawing up the bucket of water
from the well)
or to have one good thought:
working with the understanding
is drawing water out of the well."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #15]
- "I know these labours
are very great, and
require...greater courage
than many others (labors) in this world"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #17]
- "His Majesty knoweth
-- our misery and
-- natural vileness
better than we do ourselves.
He knoweth that these souls
long to be always
-- thinking of Him and
-- loving Him.
It is this resolution
that He seeks in us"
[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
"it is of great importance
that no one should distress himself
- on account of aridities, or
- because his thoughts are restless
and distracted".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25]
________________________
8a). Why might God grant favors
to some souls?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #14, 19, 21 ]
St. Teresa stated that
God may grant favors to some souls
- "for reasons known to His Majesty—
- perhaps for our greater good"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14 ]
One can not earn or merit His favors
(although by prayer and good works,
we may dispose oneself to them).
St. Teresa taught that
God may grant favors to one
- according to His will,
- out of His goodness.
- for their greater good;
- if He see it is necessary for one.
- "... all is for our greater good"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- "...when He gives it,
His Majesty sees
it to be necessary for them"
....[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
Regarding herself,
St. Teresa stated that "poor women,
such as I am,
weak and infirm of purpose,
it seems to me to be necessary
that I should be led on
through consolations,
as God is doing now,
so that I might be able
to endure certain afflictions
which it has pleased His Majesty
I should have".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
- "if Thou hast given me any,
it is out of Thy mere goodness."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
__________________________
8b). What does St. Teresa advise regarding
one's observation that
others are receiving favors from God,
but not them"?
[Life: Ch. 11: #13, 19, 25, 18, 20, 21 ]
In regard to the observation
that others are receiving favors from God,
St. Teresa advises souls:
- "to accustom themselves
to disregard what they hear or see..."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13 ]
- "Close the eyes
of your imagination, and
- do not ask why He gives
-- devotion to this person
in so short a time, and
-- none to me
after so many years.
- If it be His will
(to)...some of them...
He gives water
(to) ...others ...
He gives none
what is that to me?
Do Thou, O Lord,
accomplish Thy will;
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
In regard to one's own lack of consolations,
St. Teresa teaches:
- "Let us believe that
all is for our greater good"
- "let His Majesty guide us
whithersoever He will:
we are not our own,
but His'
- "He shows us mercy enough
when it is His pleasure
we should be willing
-- to dig in His garden, and
-- to be so near the Lord
of it (our soul, the garden).
He certainly is near to us"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- "it is of great importance
that no one should distress himself
-- on account of aridities, or
-- because his thoughts are
restless and distracted"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25 ]
- Even without consolations,
-- the Lord is tending the soul,
-- so we should persevere in prayer
and do our part:
"God grant there may be water in it!
(in our garden)
That, however, does not depend on us;
we are drawing it, and
doing what we can towards
watering the flowers."
"So good is God, that when,
-- for reasons known to His Majesty
-- perhaps for our greater good—
it is His will
(that) the well should be dry..."
"He Himself preserves the flowers
without water—
we, like good gardeners,
doing what lies in our power
and makes our virtues grow.
By water here I mean tears,
and if there be none,
then tenderness and
an inward feeling of devotion.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25 ]
- "...it is our Lord's good pleasure
frequently in the beginning,
and at times in the end,
to send these torments, and many
other incidental temptations,
-- to try those who love Him, and
-- to ascertain if they will
--- drink the chalice, and
--- help Him to carry the Cross,
before He intrusts them
with His great treasures."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #18 ]
- "I believe it to be for our good
that His Majesty should lead us
by this way,
so that we may perfectly
understand how worthless we are"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #18 ]
- St. Teresa taught
that God may give favors
to those whose trials
require this encouragement
and strength:
"it seems...to be necessary
that I should be led on
through consolations,
so that I might be able
to endure certain afflictions
which it has pleased His Majesty
I should have".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
St. Teresa taught that
if the Lord did not think
that consolations were necessary
and beneficial for them:
"They should then
-- understand that
they have no need of it,
and
-- be masters of themselves,
when His Majesty does not give it."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
"I do not say that they ought not
to accept it, and
make much of it,
when God gives it—
because, when He gives it,
His Majesty sees
it to be necessary for them
but I do say that they
ought not to grow weary
when they have it not."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
- neither to rejoice
nor to be greatly afflicted,
whether sweetness and
tenderness fail it,
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #20 ]
___________________
9). If one does receive spiritual favors,
what should they do?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #20, 21, 25 ]
St. Teresa stated that
if one does receive spiritual graces or favors,
they should:
- Recognize, accept, and value those
graces or favors.
"when God gives them
sweetness in devotion ",
they should:
- "accept it and
- "make much of it,
when God gives it—
because, when He gives it,
His Majesty sees
it to be necessary for them"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #21 ]
- Thank God for them
- Continue to persevere in prayer that
they may cooperate with these graces
so that He may "multiply our virtues."
-- "we must not be careless
about drawing it
when there is any (water) in it,
because at that time
it is the will of God
to multiply our virtues
by means thereof."
...[Life: Ch. 11:# 25 ]
- Strive not to be attached to favors,
"determined not to care much"
regarding consolations and
tenderness in devotion
"neither to rejoice
nor to be greatly afflicted,
whether sweetness and
tenderness fail it"
...[Life: Ch. 11:# 20 ]
He should persevere onward
with "liberty of spirit",
unattached to consolations and gratifications.
...[Life: Ch. 11:# 25]
__________________________
10). According to St. Teresa,
why are we given trials in prayer
and also temptations?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #18, 19 ]
[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
St. Teresa stated that
"it is Our Lord's (will and)
good pleasure
frequently in the beginning,
and at times in the end,
to send these torments,
and many...temptations,
- to try those who love Him, and
- to ascertain if they will
-- drink the chalice, and
-- help Him to carry the Cross,
before He intrusts them
with His great treasures.
- for our good"
- God "lead us by this way,
so that we may perfectly understand
how worthless we are;
- to ".. have us by experience know
our wretchedness
before He grants (graces or favors)
- that we learn Humility so
"that it may not be with us
as it was with Lucifer"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #18 ]
- "for the greater good of that soul"
so that one can mature in
detachment and strength in order to:
-- "give... itself up to Thee
-- to follow Thee
whithersoever Thou goest,
even to the death of the Cross...
-- determined to help Thee
to carry that Cross, and
-- not to leave Thee alone with it"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
- God knows what each soul needs.
"His Majesty surely knows
better than we do
what kind of food is proper for us"
...[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
___________________________
11a). When is
"the greater part of your work...done"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
St. Teresa said that
"the greater part of your work is done"
when the soul wish(es):
- to converse in solitude with God, and
- to abandon the amusements of the world.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #19 ]
__________________
11b). When has the soul
"already travelled a great part of the road"?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #20 ]
St. Teresa said that the soul has
"already travelled a great part of the road"
when it:
- "begins to walk in the way of mental prayer
with resolution, and
- is determined not to care much,
neither to rejoice
nor to be greatly afflicted,
whether sweetness and tenderness fail it,
or our Lord grants them
(sweetness and tenderness)
"Let that soul, then, have no fear
that it is going back,
though it may frequently stumble;
for the building is begun on a firm foundation.
It is certain that the love of God
does not consist
-- in tears,
-- nor in this sweetness
and tenderness
which we for the most part desire, and
with which we console ourselves;
but rather in serving Him
in justice, fortitude, and humility.
That seems to me
-- to be a receiving
-- rather than a giving of anything
on our part.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #20 ]
____________________________
12). What recommendations does she
give to those who are beyond
the beginner state of prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #13, 22, 23, 24 ]
[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
For "beginners
as well as those more advanced;
It is necessary
- to disregard what they hear or see, and
- to put it away from them
during the time of prayer;
- they must be alone, and in retirement
think over their past life"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13 ]
- "...this matter of self-knowledge
must never be put aside
-- for there is no soul so great a giant on this road
but has frequent need to turn back (and look)
- "... great importance
for among all the states of prayer,
however high they may be,
there is not one
in which it is not often necessary
to go back to the beginning.
- The knowledge
-- of our sins, and
-- of our own selves,
is the bread which
we have to eat with all the meats,
...without this bread,
life cannot be sustained,
though it must be taken by measure.
-- When a soul beholds itself resigned,
and
-- clearly understands that
there is no goodness in it
-- when it feels itself abashed
in the presence of so great a King, and
-- sees how little it pays
of the great debt it owes Him
...[ Life: Ch. 13: #23 ]
(referenced in foot note)
....................................................
Regarding those beyond the beginning stages of prayer
and who have "weight, learning, and sense",
St. Teresa advises:
- not to "make so much account...
whether God gives them
sweetness in devotion or not,
....when God gives it—
because, when He gives it,
His Majesty sees
it to be necessary for them
- but...they ought not to grow weary
when they have it not"
"They should then
- understand that
they have no need of it, and
- be masters of themselves,
when His Majesty does not give it.
Let them be convinced of this,
there is a fault here"
(to be distressed when not
experiencing sweetness in prayer)
- It is not so much to beginners
that I say this—
...it is of great importance...
that they should begin
with this liberty and resolution
-....there are many
who make a beginning,
but never come to the end;
(never progress as far as the goal)
and that is owing...in great measure,
to their
not having embraced the Cross
from the first."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22 ]
..................................................
Regarding the difficulty in prayer when
the intellect/understanding is of no use
and is unable to meditate on God:
"They are distressed,
- thinking they are doing nothing;
- the understanding ceases
from its acts,
- and they cannot bear it.
Yet, perhaps, at that very time,
- the will is feeding
and gathering strength, and
- they know it not.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22 ]
At this time, when the understanding is unable
to discursively meditate on God,
they should
- persevere in prayer;
- quietly, calmly, attending to God's presence
as much as possible.
- They should not force the thoughts to meditate
even though it seems to them
that "they are doing nothing".
- Though the intellect is not able to help,
the will may be growing
in strength
and love of God
through this passive prayer.
"Let God be served in all things—
His yoke is sweet;
and it is of great importance
that the soul
-- should not be dragged,
-- but carried gently,
that it may make greater progress"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #24 ]
"Our Lord does not regard these things;
-- for though they seem to us
to be faults,
-- yet they are not.
His Majesty knoweth our
-- misery and
-- natural vileness
better than we do ourselves.
He knoweth that these souls
long to be always
-- thinking of Him and
-- loving Him.
It is this resolution
that He seeks in us;
the other anxieties
which we inflict upon ourselves
serve to no other end
but to disquiet the soul"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23 ]
____________________________
13). What does St. Teresa teach
regarding the activity of the faculties
during prayer ?
[Life: Ch. 11: #13, 25, 22, 15, 1, 23, 14]
St. Teresa stated that, especially in beginners,
prayer can be laborious
because in trying to meditate on God
- the human faculties,
( the understanding /intellect, etc )
are not under our control:
- our thoughts are easily distracted by
-- the world and
-- our own nature and our senses.
But, she advises that
God knows our limitations and weaknesses.
He sees our intentions and efforts
in loving Him and trying to think of Him.
So, we should continue to do our best.
She says that
although one is experiencing difficulty in prayer,
perhaps, unseen by them,
their heart is growing in love.
"the will is feeding and
gathering strength
and they know it not."
-"wearied
in keeping the senses recollected,
and this is a great labour,
because the senses have been
hitherto accustomed to distractions.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: # 13]
- "They must strive
to meditate on the life of Christ,
and the understanding is
wearied thereby.
...we can advance...
by the grace of God
for without that...we never can
have one good thought"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #13]
"it is of great importance
that no one should distress himself
on account of aridities, or
because his thoughts
are restless and distracted".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #25]
- They are distressed,
thinking they are doing nothing;
--- the understanding ceases
from its acts,
--- and they cannot bear it.
Yet, perhaps, at that very time,
--- the will is feeding
and gathering strength, and
they know it not".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
- "It will happen that he is often unable
to move his arms
for that purpose
(of drawing up the bucket of water
from the well) or
to have one good thought:
Working with the understanding
is drawing water out of the well."
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #15]
-- "I know these labours
are very great,
and require...greater courage
than many others (labors) in this world"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #17]
-- "His Majesty knoweth
our misery and
natural vileness
better than we do ourselves.
He knoweth that these souls
long to be always
-- thinking of Him and
-- loving Him.
It is this resolution
that He seeks in us;
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
- The experience of prayer
"does not depend on us;
we are drawing it, and
doing what we can towards
watering the flowers"
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #14]
________________________
14). What did St. Teresa say and advise
regarding the prayer of those
with bodily indisposition?
[ Life: Ch. 11: #23, 24 ]
Regarding those with bodily indisposition,
St. Teresa said that:
- the "poor prisoner of a soul
shares in the miseries of the body."
- the misery of one that loves God
to see itself
-- living in such wretchedness,
-- unable to do what it would,
because it has to keep so evil a guest as the body.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
- Circumstances "very often compel it,
without fault of its own,
not to do what it would,
but rather to suffer in every way".
"Meanwhile, the more
we force the soul on these occasions,
the greater the mischief, and
the longer it lasts.
Advice:
- need to understand
-- the illness and
-- its effects on the ability to pray and
the duration of the ability
"Some discretion must be used,
in order to ascertain
whether ill-health be the occasion or not"
- Not to prevent a person from doing what they can.
- Help them to understand their illness
and how it affects them
- Adapt prayer times and schedule to their abilities:
"The poor soul must not be stifled"
Let those who thus suffer
understand that they are ill;
A change should be made in the hour of prayer..."
Let souls pass out of this desert as they can,
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #23]
- Need to discriminate between illness and temptation
"because sometimes the devil will do the same work"
The indisposition might not caused by illness
but by temptation or fault
"and so it is not always right
-- to omit prayer when the understanding
is greatly distracted and disturbed"
But if it is caused by an illness
then it is not right
-- "to torment the soul to the doing of
that which is out of its power"
"Let God be served in all things
His yoke is sweet;
and it is of great importance
that the soul
--- should not be dragged,
--- but carried gently,
that it may make greater progress"
If the person is unable to pray
"There are other things then to be done—
exterior works,
as of charity and spiritual reading—
though at times the soul will not be able
to do them"
- The care of the illness and the body is important
so that the person can again participate
in the spiritual activities as much as possible.
"Take care, then, of the body, for the love of God,
because at many other times
the body must serve the soul"
- Allow recreation
"let recourse be had to some recreations
holy ones—such as
conversation,
or going out into the fields,
as the confessor shall advise".
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #24]
__________________________
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Reviewing…
From time to time,
there seems to be a problem
with adding comments
or with us, receiving comments.
We are working on that.
Thanks for your patience.
- The Life - The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila - - The life of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Come, Holy Spirit. Enkindle in our hearts, the fire of Your Divine Love.
Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Carmel,
protect and pray for us.
Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Carmel,
protect and pray for us.
Carmelite Book Studies sites
Navigation Link
To Begin Reading or to Find a Chapter Return Here (Table of Contents) |
Reflections and Review
Reading…
"The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of
Our Lady of Carmel"
Reading…
a chapter at a time
that chapter with questions/topics in mind.
Discussing…
Discussing…
Then, the next entry will be a discussion of the topics.
~~~
Not experts ~ Not teachers
Just RC Lay persons ~ Reading out loud ~
Book Information
The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Written by Herself
Translated by David Lewis
Third edition
With Introduction and Notes
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Zimmerman, O.C. D.
Order of the Discalced Carmelites
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Written by Herself
Translated by David Lewis
Third edition
With Introduction and Notes
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Zimmerman, O.C. D.
Order of the Discalced Carmelites
Re-Imprimatur
+ Franciscus Archiepiscopus Westmonast
September 27, 1904
+ Franciscus Archiepiscopus Westmonast
September 27, 1904
Additional Book / Publ. Information:
NY Benziger 1904
______________
Christian Classic Etheral Library Texts Information
Link to CCEL Library versions of this book
Plain Text version -
html format version -
Thanks to CCEL for making this Book available
See the Christian Classics
Etheral Library for their
comprehensive library
comprehensive library
this book
available to all,
we are able
to compose and post
to compose and post
our sample study questions
and answers.
[See their TERMS of USE and COPYRIGHT policy]
Table of Contents and Chapter Descriptions
For Searching This Blog - Note: new posts may not be indexed as yet.
Comment Feature
To add a comment
for discussion,
click the word, "comments"
at end of the blog text.
__________________
there seems to be a problem
with adding comments
or with us, receiving comments.
We are working on that.
Thanks for your patience.
Comment Feature Update
Google provides this blog
and we are getting familiar
with its conventions.
9/30/10
After checking
"Reported Issues",
at the google blog help page,
we learned that other
blogs are also having
problems with the
embedded comments format.
After trial and error,
we switched to the
popup window format.
Now, To Comment:
1). Place cursor over
word "Comment"
on bottom of page.
2). You can do a
right mouse click
and "open in new window"
if you have a popup blocker.
3). By our trial and error
it seems that
the comments require
1st party cookie enabled.
If true, the blog doesn't access
any cookies, its probably a
google convention.
4). You may have to click
"publish your comment" twice
before you get the message,
"comment has been saved".
This blog has no control
over this requirement for a
1st party cookie.
This blog can't access it.
_________________
6/14/11 Returned to embedded
Comment format.
Carmelite Book Studies
Visitors Welcome