Teresa of Jesus
"The Life"
The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Discussion of Chapter 13
She continues to
- treat of the first degree (of prayer), and
- gives advice with respect to certain temptations
sometimes sent by Satan.
This is most profitable.
- Of Certain Temptations of Satan.
- Instructions Relating Thereto.
__________________
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1). In the "early stages" of prayer,
what does St. Teresa advise?
[ Life: Ch. 13
#1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 31, 32 ]
____________________________
1b). What does St. Teresa teach
about false humility?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 5, 6 ]
_________________________
2). What instructions regarding
meditation topics
does St. Teresa give?
[ Life: Ch. 13
#3, 17, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32 ]
_________________________
3a). What advise does St. Teresa give
to those
"who make much use
of their understanding,
eliciting from one subject,
many thoughts and conceptions"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 17 ]
____________________________
3b). What advise does St. Teresa give
to those
who cannot "make much use
of their understanding, "?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 16, 17 ]
______________________________
4. What are the temptations
which often attack beginners?
[ Life: Ch. 13
# 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 ]
___________________________
5). St. Teresa discusses
the temptation by which
"persons are carried away
by a zeal for virtue,
through the pain which
the sight of the sins and failings
of others occasions them. "
What does she describe as
"the greatest evil of all"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #14, 15 ]
____________________________
6). What does St. Teresa say "is
reason enough why
those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #8, 7 ]
[ Life: Ch 15: #17]
[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
_____________________________
7). What does St. Teresa say
and advise regarding self-knowledge ?
[ Life: Ch. 13
# 1, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 23 ]
____________________________
8). Regarding the qualities
of a Spiritual Director,
what does St. Teresa advise?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 24, 26, 27 ]
___________________________
9). What does St. Teresa
advise us regarding
"learned men, and
religious in particular" ?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #29, 30]
______________________
10). What did St. Teresa say
about anxieties
regarding our security or health
and their effect on prayer?
[Life:Ch. 13 # 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
_______________________
1). In the "early stages" of prayer,
what does St. Teresa advise people?
[ Life: Ch. 13
#1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 31, 32 ]
St. Teresa advised:
- Prayer
- Humility
- Confidence/ Trust in God:
- Detachment
- Courage
- Striving after Solitude and Virtues
- Recreation
- Obedience
~ Prayer
- "Place themselves
in the presence of Christ'
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #17 ]
- "we should make reflections...
and consider
-- the sufferings He there endured,
-- for whom He endured them,
-- who He is who endured them, and
-- the love with which He bore them.
But a person
- should not always fatigue himself
in making these reflections,
- but rather let him remain there
with Christ,
in the silence of the understanding
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #31 ]
- let him employ himself
in looking upon Christ,
Who is looking upon him;
- let him accompany Him, and
- make his petitions to Him;
- let him humble himself, and
- delight himself in Christ, and
- keep in mind that he never
deserved to be there"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #32 ]
~ Humility:
- "It is right to be afraid of self;
so that,
- having no confidence in ourselves,
much or little,
we may not place ourselves
in those circumstances
wherein men usually sin against God;
- for it is a most necessary fear,
till we become very perfect in virtue.
- it is well we should know
our own miserable nature"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #1 ]
- Humility must always go before:
-- so that we may know
that this strength can come out
of no strength of our own.
"That all things are possible in God"
I saw clearly that
of myself, I could do nothing.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #4 ]
- but they must be humble
in their ways,
and have no confidence
in themselves.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #3 ]
~ Confidence / Trust in God:
- "...all things are possible in God."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #4 ]
- We must have great confidence;
because it is very necessary for us
-- not to contract our desires,
-- but put our trust in God;
for, if we do violence to ourselves
by little and little,
( apply ourselves / force ourselves
to make effort and persevere )
we shall, though not at once,
reach that height which many Saints
by His grace (and help) have reached.
If they
-- had never resolved to desire, and
-- had never by little and little
acted upon that resolve,
they never could have ascended
to so high a state.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #2]
- "our confidence in God
is so scanty, and
our self-love so strong,
any anxiety about our own necessities
should disturb us."
we think that
to have all we (need)
contributes to recollection,
because anxieties disturb prayer.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #6 ]
~ Detachment
- "we ought to think that
we can force ourselves,
by the grace of God,
-- to hold the world
in profound contempt
-- to make light of honour, and
-- be detached from our possessions.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #6 ]
- St. Teresa warns regarding the disposition
"to reconcile soul and body together,
in order that we may
not miss our ease
in this world, and
yet have the fruition of God
in the next;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #7 ]
St. Teresa provided an example from her past
in which she sought:
-- to practise prayer and
-- yet retain her comforts
"Though, in the matter of desires,
I always had generous ones;
but I laboured, as I said before,
-- to make my prayer, and,
-- at the same time,
to live at my ease.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
- She advises:
"when they begin to pray,
to begin also
-- to detach themselves
from every kind of joy, and
-- to enter on it resolved only
on helping to carry
the cross of Christ...
...willing to serve their King
without present pay,
because they are sure of it at last,
having their eyes directed
to the true and everlasting kingdom
at the conquest of which we are aiming.
...[ Life: Ch. 15 #17 ]
~ Courage:
- "His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls;
but they must
-- be humble in their ways, and
-- have no confidence in themselves.
I never saw one of those
(courageous ones) lag behind
on the road; and
(I) never (saw) a cowardly soul,
(even) though aided by humility,
make that progress
in many years
which the former (courageous one)
makes in a few.
I am astonished at the great things
done on this road
by encouraging oneself
to undertake great things..."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #3 ]
~ Striving after Solitude and Virtues
- "We may also imitate the Saints
by striving after
-- solitude and silence,
-- and many other virtues"
[ Life: Ch. 13 #9 ]
~ Recreation:
Relax, when appropriate.
"In the beginning, then,
we should strive
to be cheerful and unconstrained;
for there are people
who think it is all over with devotion
if they relax themselves ever so little".
Self-knowledge and caution
is needed in order that
"we may not place ourselves
in those circumstances
wherein men usually sin against God"
"for it is a most necessary fear,
till we become very perfect in virtue.
And there are not many
who are so perfect as
to be able to relax themselves"
But, she also mentions
that persons won't be able to relax
"on those occasions which offer temptations
to their natural temper"
"for always while we live,
were it only to preserve humility,
it is well we should know
our own miserable nature"
"but there are many occasions
on which it is permitted us...
to take some recreation,
in order that we may
with more vigour
resume our prayer
Discretion is necessary throughout".
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #2 ]
~ Obedience
These first resolutions
are a great matter--
although it is necessary
in the beginning
that we should
-- be very reserved,
-- controlled by the discretion and
authority of a director
(or confessor)
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #4 ]
___________________
1b). What does St. Teresa teach
regarding false humility?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 5, 6 ]
St. Teresa warns against
"false notions of humility".
She wants others to
recognize and understand
what is false humility:
"But it is necessary
we should understand
what manner of humility
this should be,
because Satan...does great harm;
for he hinders those
who begin to pray
from going onwards,
by suggesting to them
false notions of humility.
He makes them think it is pride
to have large desires,
- to wish to imitate the Saints, and
- to long for martyrdom.
He tells us or ...makes us think,
that the actions of the Saints
- are to be admired,
- not to be imitated,
by us who are sinners.
I, too, say the same thing;
but we must see
- what those actions are
which we are to admire, and
- what those are
which we are to imitate;
for it would be wrong in a person
who is weak and sickly
to undertake much fasting
and sharp penances
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #5 ]
But we ought to think that
we can (strive)
by the grace of God,
- to hold the world
in profound contempt-
- to make light of honour, and
- be detached from our possessions.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #6 ]
______________________
2). What instructions regarding meditation topics
does St. Teresa give?
[ Life: Ch. 13
#3, 17, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32 ]
Regarding meditation,
St. Teresa advises:
"Let them rather,
- place themselves
in the presence of Christ, and,
without fatiguing the understanding,
- converse with Him, and
- in Him rejoice,
without wearying themselves
in searching out reasons;
but let them rather
- lay their necessities before Him, and
- the just reasons there are
why He should not suffer us
in His presence
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #17 ]
The soul may also
- place itself
in the presence of Christ,
- and accustom itself
to many acts of love
directed to His sacred Humanity,
and
- remain in His presence continually,
and
- speak to Him,
- pray to Him in its necessities, and
- complain to Him of its troubles;
- be merry with Him
in its joys, and
- yet not forget Him
because of its joys.
...[ Life: Ch 12 #3 ]
St. Teresa instructs:
- We set ourselves to meditate
upon some mystery
of the Passion:
let us say, our Lord at the pillar.
-- The understanding
...seeking for the (details)
out of which came
the great dolours and
the bitter anguish which
Christ endured in that desolation.
-- It considers that mystery
in many lights,
which the intellect,
if it be skilled in its work, or
furnished with learning,
may there obtain.
-- This is a method of prayer
which should be to everyone
the beginning,
the middle, and
the end:
a most excellent and safe way,
until our Lord shall guide them
to other supernatural ways.
...[ Life:Ch 13 #19 ]
- "...there are many souls
who make greater progress by
-- meditation on other subjects
than on the Sacred Passion;
for as there are many mansions
in heaven,
so there are also many roads
leading thither.
Some persons advance by considering
-- themselves in hell, -
-- others in heaven--
and these are distressed
by meditations on hell.
-- Others meditate on death;
-- some persons, if tender-hearted,
are greatly fatigued
by continual meditations on the Passion;
but are consoled and make progress
when they meditate
-- on the power and greatness of God
in His creatures, and
-- on His love visible in all things.
This is an admirable method-
--- not omitting, however, from time to time,
the Passion and Life of Christ,
the Source of all good
that ever came, and
that ever shall come.
...[ Life: Ch 13 #20 ]
He who begins
is in need of instruction,
whereby he may ascertain
what profits him most.
...[ Life:Ch 13 #21 ]
Regarding "the meditation on Christ
bound to the pillar,
it is well we should make reflections
for a time, and consider
- the sufferings He there endured,
- for whom He endured them,
- who He is who endured them, and
- the love with which He bore them.
But a person
- should not always fatigue himself
in making these reflections,
- but rather let him
remain there with Christ,
in the silence of the understanding.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #31 ]
If he is able,
- let him employ himself
in looking upon Christ,
Who is looking upon him;
- let him accompany Him, and
- make his petitions to Him;
- let him humble himself, and
- delight himself in Christ, and
- keep in mind that
he never deserved to be there.
When he shall be able to do this,
though it may be
in the beginning of his prayer,
he will find great advantage;
and this way of prayer
brings great advantages with it--
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #32 ]
__________________________
3a). What advise does St. Teresa give
to those
"who make much use
of their understanding,
eliciting from one subject,
many thoughts and conceptions"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 17 ]
St. Teresa gives advise for those
"who make much use
of their understanding,
eliciting from one subject,
many thoughts and conceptions".
"To those...who can make use of their understanding,
- they are not to spend
the whole time in that way;
"for though it be most meritorious",
they should from time to time
rest in the presence of God
"They think it lost time to
(refrain from their reflections)
but I think that loss
their greatest gain"
"Let them rather...
- place themselves
in the presence of Christ, and,
without fatiguing the understanding,
- converse with Him, and
- in Him rejoice,
without wearying themselves
in searching out reasons;
...let them rather lay
- their necessities
before Him, and
- the just reasons there are
why He should not suffer us
in His presence:
- at one time this,
at another time that,
lest the soul should be wearied
by always eating of the same food.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 17 ]
____________________________
3b). What advise does St. Teresa give
to those
who cannot "make much use
of their understanding, "?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 16, 17 ]
For those who are not able
to use the intellect in prayer,
St. teresa advises:
- "they are to have patience,
until our Lord shall send them
both matter and light;
- for they can do so little
of themselves,
that their understanding is
-- a hindrance to them
-- rather than a help."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #16]
Let them rather...
- place themselves in the
presence of Christ, and,
- without fatiguing the understanding,
converse with Him, and
- in Him rejoice,
without wearying themselves
in searching out reasons;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #17]
_____________________
4. What are the temptations
which often attack beginners?
[ Life: Ch. 13
# 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 ]
5). St. Teresa discusses the temptation
by which "persons are carried away
by a zeal for virtue,
through the pain which
the sight of the sins and failings
of others occasions them".
What does she describe as
"the greatest evil of all"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #14, 15 ]
St. Teresa teaches that this
- concern/ observation / judgment
of the actions of others and
- its resultant zeal
that others should correct
their behavior
are not virtuous or charitable,
although we think that
we are being zealous
for God's honor.
"The greatest evil of all is
- their thinking (that) this
act (is)
-- of virtue,
-- of perfection, and
-- of a great zeal for God.
Satan tells them
that this pain arises only
- out of their desire that
God may not be offended, and
- out of their anxiety
about His honour;
so they immediately seek
to remedy the evil.
This so disturbs them,
that they cannot pray."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
The harm is that:
what we think is
- virtuous in ourselves and
- of good intention:
-- that God be honored
and pleased and
-- that God be not offended
is actually a temptation which
- can impede spiritual progress
and
- causes harm by
-- judging others
(attributing evil to them)
-- disturbing our own peace
-- occupying our thoughts
so that we don't pray
and don't see our own faults
St. Teresa advises:
"The security...of that soul
which would apply itself to prayer lies
- in casting away from itself
all anxiety about persons and things,
- in taking care of itself, and
- in pleasing God.
This is the most profitable course.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
St. Teresa again advises
self-knowledge and caution
regarding "the mistakes
which people make,
in reliance on their own good intentions..."
- "Let us labour, therefore,
always to consider
-- the virtues and
-- the good qualities
which we discern in others,
and with our own great sins
cover our eyes,
so that we may see
none of their failings.
"This is one way of doing our work;
...though we may not be perfect in it
at once,
we shall acquire one great virtue-
we shall look upon all men
as better than ourselves"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #15 ]
_______________________
6). What does St. Teresa say
"is reason enough why
those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #8, 7 ]
[ Life: Ch 15: #17]
[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
St. Teresa stated that the reason
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection" is that:
- Their desires/goal
of growing in love and
of advancing toward God
are not consistent with their actions
because of their attachments.
(e.g. attachments to comfort and
anxieties for their own well-being)
Their aims are not followed
through by their actions.
"Though, in the matter of desires,
I always had generous ones;
but I laboured...
- to make my prayer,
and, at the same time,
- to live at my ease.
If there had been any one
to rouse me to a higher flight,
he might have brought me...
to a state in which these desires
might have had their effects;
"but, for our sins...
that (attachment) is reason enough
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile
soul and body together,
in order that we
- may not miss our ease
in this world, and
- yet have the fruition of God
in the next;
and so it will be
if we walk according to justice,
clinging to virtue;
but it is the pace of a hen-
it will never bring us
to liberty of spirit.
I should have remained
in that way,
if our Lord in His goodness
had not taught me
another and a shorter road.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #7 ]
This lack of commitment
is our fault.
"for our Lord never fails us,
and it is not His fault;
the fault and the wretchedness
of this
being all our own.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"...speaking
of the first degree of prayer, and
of the first method of drawing
the water,
I insisted...when they begin to pray,
- to begin also to detach themselves
from every kind of joy, and
- to enter on it resolved only
on helping to carry
the cross of Christ"
...[ Life: Ch 15: #17]
- 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...
in great measure,
to their not having embraced
the Cross from the first.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
___________________
7). What does St. Teresa say
and advise about self-knowledge ?
[ Life: Ch. 13
# 1, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 23 ]
St. Teresa said
"...this matter of self-knowledge
must never be put aside"
~ Self-knowledge
regarding one's own
weaknesses, faults, and failures:
"for there is no soul
so great a giant on this road
but has frequent
need to turn back...
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"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 23]
- It is right to be afraid of self;
so that, having
no confidence in ourselves,
much or little,
we may not place ourselves
in those circumstances
wherein men usually sin
against God"
St. Teresa advises one
- to know one's own
-- tendencies,
-- weaknesses, and
-- temperments
which are vulnerable to error
and
- to recognize
"those occasions
which offer temptations
to their natural temper;
"It is well we should know
our own miserable nature"
... [ Life: Ch. 13 #1 ]
Self-knowledge regarding
our motives and attachments:
St. Teresa taught that
even when one has strived
for detachment
from possesions and pleasures,
the beginners in prayer
are often attached
to comfort and security.
But these attachments are often rationalized
by health and spiritual needs.
"Our hearts...are so mean
that we think the earth would fail..
if we were to cease
-- to care even for a moment
for the body, and
-- give ourselves up to spirituality.
Then we think that
to have all we require
- contributes to recollection,
- because anxieties disturb prayer.
It is painful to me that
- our confidence in God
is so scanty, and
- our self-love so strong,
as that any anxiety
about our own necessities
should disturb us"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile soul and body together,
in order that we may
- not miss our ease
in this world...
- yet have the fruition of God
in the next;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 7]
~ Self-examination
at the appropriate time
and duration
(not self-absorption)
- It should not occupy one's attention
to the extent that its focus is
-- on oneself and
-- not on God .
- Self-knowledge "is the bread
which must be eaten
. ..with all the meats,
however delicate they may be,
in the way of prayer;
without this bread,
life cannot be sustained,
though it must be taken
by measure."
(in its proper proportion)
- St. Teresa advised that
the soul who is already mindful
of its weaknesses and errors:
should focus
-- on God's presence,
-- not on its own failings.
(But) "When a soul (already)
- 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,
Why should it be necessary for it
to waste its time on this subject?
Why should it not
rather proceed
to other matters
which our Lord places before it,
and for neglecting which
there is no reason?
His Majesty surely knows better
than we do
what kind of food
is proper for us.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 23]
~ Self-knowledge regarding
our relations with others:
- Self-Knowledge and Humility
are also important when faced
with the temptation of
letting one's peace be disturbed
by the failings which we perceive
in others:
St. Teresa describes a failing in
self-knowledge,
"... the mistakes which...people make
in reliance on their own good intentions"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #15 ]
"...persons are carried away
by a zeal for virtue"
Here, we thinks we suffer
because others offend God and
that our own zeal is a virtue.
But St. Teresa states
this is a temptation which
-- occupies our mind,
-- disturbs our peace, and
-- hinders our prayer.
St. Teresa advises, instead
that we see to our own failings
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
- Self knowledge is also important
in those who begin
to enjoy the fruits of prayer
and so want "everybody else to
be very spiritual also".
They want to guide others
in a spiritual practice
in which they, themselves,
feel they have had
experience and benefits
but they don't take into consideration
that all their other practices
(good or bad)
will be observed and followed.
Of herself, St. Teresa said:
"They heard me say great things
of the blessedness of prayer,
and, on the other,
saw how poor I was in virtue,
notwithstanding my prayer".
"they knew not
how these things
could be compatible
one with the other.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
Since "they heard (her talk)
of the blessedness of prayer"
they had a good impression
of her and her progress.
So they would be influenced
to follow her in her failings, too.
So, it "made them not to regard
that as evil
which was really so in itself"
namely,
that they saw me
do (evil) myself,
now and then,
during the time
that they thought well of me" .
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
St. Teresa said that this can
"be a source of temptation
and disorder" (confusion)
If one attempts to teach and model
one's good practice,
e.g. prayerfulness
they need to be
"endowed with solid virtues",
- so that all their other habits
will also be exemplary.
- so "that he may not put
temptation in the way of others"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
____________________
8). Regarding the qualities
of a Spiritual Director,
what does St. Teresa advise?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 24, 26, 27 ]
Regarding the qualities
of a Spiritual Director,
St. Teresa states that
- prudence,
- sound understanding, and
- experience
- learning
are important.
She values experience but
would prefer learning over experience.
"But if these...qualities cannot be had together,
the first two are the most important,
because learned men may be found
with whom we can communicate
when it is necessary.
She states that a humble and virtuous learned man
is beneficial for beginners:
"...For beginners,
learned men are of little use,
if they are not men of prayer."
But, she stressed that
the director's spirituality
should be based on truth
rather than a spirituality
accompanied by prayer
but without basis on truth
Learning is a great thing,
- for it teaches us who know so little,
and
- enlightens us;
so when we have come to the knowledge of the truths
contained in the holy writings,
we do what we ought to do.
From silly devotions, God deliver us!
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #24 ]
"Though learning does not
seem necessary for discretion,
...every Christian should continue
to be guided by a learned director
....and the more learned the better.
They who walk in the way of prayer
have the greater need of learning;
and the more spiritual they are
the greater is that need.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #26 ]
"Let them not say
that learned men
not given to prayer
are not fit counsellors
for those who pray:
that is a delusion"
"a spiritual director is necessary;
but if he be not a learned man,
he is a great hindrance.
It will help us much
if we consult
those who are learned,
provided they be virtuous;
even if they be not spiritual,
- they will be of service to me, and
- God will enable them to understand
what they should teach;
- He will even make them spiritual,
in order that they may help us on."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #27 ]
_________________________
9). What does St. Teresa advise us
regarding "learned men,
and religious in particular" ?
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #29, 30]
Regarding "learned men, and
religious in particular", St. Teresa advises:
- Thankgiving to God
-- for providing us with these
Confessors and Teachers
-- for enlightening them so
that they can guide us
- Acknowledge the labor
and sacrifice
of the Confessors and Teachers
-- "who, by labours so great,
have attained to the truth"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #29 ]
-- who "undergo
the poverty
of the religious life,
together with
its penances,...
the yoke of obedience,...
trials everywhere,
everywhere the Cross.
"Our prayer must therefore be very earnest
for those who give us light.
What should we be without them
in the midst of these violent storms
which now disturb the Church?
If some have fallen,
the good will shine more and more.
May it please our Lord
to hold them in His hand,
and help them,
that they may help us.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #30 ]
___________________
10). What did St. Teresa say
about anxieties regarding
our security or health
and their effect on prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
St. Teresa taught that
even when one has strived for
detachment from
- possessions and
- pleasures,
the beginner in prayer is still often
attached to
- health,
- comfort, and
- security.
We even defend our concerns
with the excuse that
these concerns must
be resolved and met,
so as not to disturb our prayer.
St. Teresa said that:
- these anxieties are based on
-- self-love and
-- attachments.
- They will hinder spiritual
progress since they are
-- self-seeking
-- not God-seeking.
Their progress is hindered since
they do not embrace the Cross.
St. Teresa stated that they
are not single-minded
in their search for God,
They search for God, but
they want to be trouble-free.
"Our hearts...are so mean that
we think the earth would fail us
under our feet,
if we were to
-- cease to care
even for a moment
for the body, and
-- give ourselves up
to spirituality"
( St. Teresa seems to be showing
the error in the attitude
that one must have sufficient
provisions for one's needs
so one can be free of worries
in order to be able
to concentrate on prayer)
"Then we think that
to have all we require
- contributes to recollection,
- because anxieties disturb prayer"
It is painful to me that
- our confidence in God is so scanty,
and
- our self-love so strong,
as that any anxiety
about our own necessities
should disturb us."
"...a mere nothing will give us
as much trouble
as great and important matters
will give to others."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6 ]
Of herself, St. Teresa wrote that
she had good intentions and aims
but while she
- labored to seek God in prayer,
at the same time she also was
- laboring to live at ease
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile
soul and body together,
in order that we may
- not miss our ease
in this world,
- and yet have the fruition of God
in the next"
"but it is the pace of a hen--
it will never bring us to liberty of spirit".
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 7]
That, I believe, is reason enough
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 8]
To " imitate the Saints
by striving after solitude and silence,
and many other virtues
...will not kill
these wretched bodies of ours,
which insist on
being treated so orderly,
that they may
disorder the soul; and
Satan, too,...
When he sees us
a little anxious about them...
wants nothing more
to convince us
that our way of life
must kill us, and
destroy our health;
even if we weep,
he makes us afraid of blindness"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
When St. Teresa realizd that
this was a temptation
which hindered her prayer,
she "resolved to make no account
- of my body
- nor of my health"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
"I know of no better sight
or better health...
than the loss of both
in such a cause"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
"when (Satan) suggested to me
that I was ruining my health,
I...say that
- my death was of no consequence...
- I did not want rest,
but the Cross.
I saw clearly...
though I was really very sickly,
it was either
- a temptation...or
- a weakness on my part.
My health has been much better
since I have ceased to look
after my ease and comforts.
It is of great importance
not to let our own thoughts
frighten us
in the beginning,
when we set ourselves to pray.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #10]
______________________
# 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 ]
Temptation: False Humility. Satan...hinders those who begin to pray from going onwards, by suggesting to them false notions of humility. He makes them think it is pride - to have large desires, - to wish to imitate the Saints, and - to long for martyrdom. He tells us ...or... makes us think, that the actions of the Saints are to be admired, but not to be imitated, by us who are sinners. [Life: Ch. 13 #5 ] | - "we must see -- what those actions are which we are to admire and -- what those are which we are to imitate; for it would be wrong in a person who is weak and sickly to undertake much fasting and sharp penances (or) to undertake any austerities of this kind. [ Life: Ch. 13 #5 ] "We may also imitate the Saints by striving after solitude and silence, and many other virtues" [ Life: Ch. 13 #9 ] |
Temptation: Anxieties regarding security and health - Satan...wants... to convince us that our way of life must kill us, and destroy our health; ...even if we weep, he makes us afraid of blindness [ Life: Ch. 13 #9] | "I know of no better sight or better health that we can desire, than the loss of both in such a cause." "I was...good for nothing, till I resolved to make no account of my body nor of my health; [ Life: Ch. 13 #9] my death was of no consequence; ...I did not want rest, but the Cross. [ Life: Ch. 13 #10] - With the help of God, we can pray and strive -- to hold the world in profound contempt -- to make light of honour, and -- be detached from our possessions. [ Life: Ch. 13 #6 ] |
- With the help of God, we can pray and strive -- to hold the world in profound contempt -- to make light of honour, and -- be detached from our possessions. [ Life: Ch. 13 #6 ] | |
Temptation: The desire that others should be spiritual e.g. to experience the benefits of prayer that she experienced - Satan's...seems to take advantage of the virtues we may have, for the purpose of giving a sanction, so far as he can, to the evil he aims at; [ Life: Ch. 13 #12 ] - Satan tempts us to desire that "everybody else -- be very spiritual" and -- to experience the "pleasure in the rest and the fruit of prayer" that she, herself, had experienced [ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ] Of herself , St. Teresa said, "I made others apply themselves to prayer, (Yet) she said that they would observe her other behaviors which were "poor in virtue and which could lead them into temptations and confusion "for, on the one hand, they heard me say great things of the blessedness of prayer, and, on the other, (they) saw how poor I was in virtue" "for they knew not how these things could be compatible one with the other" Since "they heard (her talk) of the blessedness of prayer", they had a good impression of her and her progress. So they would be influenced to follow her in her failings, too. (Since she, who was so good, did these acts, these acts couldn't be bad) So, it "made them not to regard that as evil which was really so in itself" namely, that they saw me do it myself, now and then, during the time that they thought well of me" . [ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ] | - "to desire this is not wrong, but to try to bring it about may not be right, except with great discretion and with much reserve, without any appearance of teaching. Anyone who would advise others should be "endowed with solid virtues, that he may not put temptation in the way of others". [ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ] - There is another great inconvenience in addition to this: the loss to our own soul; for the utmost we have to do in the beginning is to - take care of our own soul only, and - consider that in the whole world there is only God and our soul. [ Life: Ch.13 #13 ] |
Temptation: the distress caused by the perceived sins and failings of others: - "persons are carried away by a zeal for virtue, through the pain which the sight of the sins and failings of others occasions them" "Satan tells them that this pain arises only - out of their desire that God may not be offended, and - out of their anxiety about His honour; so they immediately seek to remedy the evil. This so disturbs them, that they cannot pray. The greatest evil of all is their thinking this (is) an act -- of virtue, -- of perfection, and -- of a great zeal for God. [ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ] | - "we ought to be aware of (this temptation and our own reactions, our disturbance and loss of peace) and be cautious in our conduct" St. Teresa advises soul to: - "... apply itself -- in casting away from itself all anxiety about persons and things, -- in taking care of itself, and -- in pleasing God. [ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ] - (Avoid) the mistakes that people make because they trusted in their (own) good intentions. - "To consider -- the virtues and -- the good qualities which we discern in others" - To be ever mindful of our own sins, so that our attention won't be occupied with the perceived failing of others. "with our own great sins cover our eyes, so that we may see none of the failings" of others. - To practice prayer "imploring Him to give us this virtue" of being able to "look upon all men as better than ourselves" "...for He never fails us, if we do what we can". [ Life: Ch. 13 #15 ] |
____________________________________________________
5). St. Teresa discusses the temptation
by which "persons are carried away
by a zeal for virtue,
through the pain which
the sight of the sins and failings
of others occasions them".
What does she describe as
"the greatest evil of all"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #14, 15 ]
St. Teresa teaches that this
- concern/ observation / judgment
of the actions of others and
- its resultant zeal
that others should correct
their behavior
are not virtuous or charitable,
although we think that
we are being zealous
for God's honor.
"The greatest evil of all is
- their thinking (that) this
act (is)
-- of virtue,
-- of perfection, and
-- of a great zeal for God.
Satan tells them
that this pain arises only
- out of their desire that
God may not be offended, and
- out of their anxiety
about His honour;
so they immediately seek
to remedy the evil.
This so disturbs them,
that they cannot pray."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
The harm is that:
what we think is
- virtuous in ourselves and
- of good intention:
-- that God be honored
and pleased and
-- that God be not offended
is actually a temptation which
- can impede spiritual progress
and
- causes harm by
-- judging others
(attributing evil to them)
-- disturbing our own peace
-- occupying our thoughts
so that we don't pray
and don't see our own faults
St. Teresa advises:
"The security...of that soul
which would apply itself to prayer lies
- in casting away from itself
all anxiety about persons and things,
- in taking care of itself, and
- in pleasing God.
This is the most profitable course.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
St. Teresa again advises
self-knowledge and caution
regarding "the mistakes
which people make,
in reliance on their own good intentions..."
- "Let us labour, therefore,
always to consider
-- the virtues and
-- the good qualities
which we discern in others,
and with our own great sins
cover our eyes,
so that we may see
none of their failings.
"This is one way of doing our work;
...though we may not be perfect in it
at once,
we shall acquire one great virtue-
we shall look upon all men
as better than ourselves"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #15 ]
_______________________
6). What does St. Teresa say
"is reason enough why
those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection"?
[ Life: Ch. 13 #8, 7 ]
[ Life: Ch 15: #17]
[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
St. Teresa stated that the reason
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection" is that:
- Their desires/goal
of growing in love and
of advancing toward God
are not consistent with their actions
because of their attachments.
(e.g. attachments to comfort and
anxieties for their own well-being)
Their aims are not followed
through by their actions.
"Though, in the matter of desires,
I always had generous ones;
but I laboured...
- to make my prayer,
and, at the same time,
- to live at my ease.
If there had been any one
to rouse me to a higher flight,
he might have brought me...
to a state in which these desires
might have had their effects;
"but, for our sins...
that (attachment) is reason enough
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile
soul and body together,
in order that we
- may not miss our ease
in this world, and
- yet have the fruition of God
in the next;
and so it will be
if we walk according to justice,
clinging to virtue;
but it is the pace of a hen-
it will never bring us
to liberty of spirit.
I should have remained
in that way,
if our Lord in His goodness
had not taught me
another and a shorter road.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #7 ]
This lack of commitment
is our fault.
"for our Lord never fails us,
and it is not His fault;
the fault and the wretchedness
of this
being all our own.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"...speaking
of the first degree of prayer, and
of the first method of drawing
the water,
I insisted...when they begin to pray,
- to begin also to detach themselves
from every kind of joy, and
- to enter on it resolved only
on helping to carry
the cross of Christ"
...[ Life: Ch 15: #17]
- 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...
in great measure,
to their not having embraced
the Cross from the first.
...[ Life: Ch. 11: #22]
___________________
7). What does St. Teresa say
and advise about self-knowledge ?
[ Life: Ch. 13
# 1, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 23 ]
St. Teresa said
"...this matter of self-knowledge
must never be put aside"
~ Self-knowledge
regarding one's own
weaknesses, faults, and failures:
"for there is no soul
so great a giant on this road
but has frequent
need to turn back...
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"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 23]
- It is right to be afraid of self;
so that, having
no confidence in ourselves,
much or little,
we may not place ourselves
in those circumstances
wherein men usually sin
against God"
St. Teresa advises one
- to know one's own
-- tendencies,
-- weaknesses, and
-- temperments
which are vulnerable to error
and
- to recognize
"those occasions
which offer temptations
to their natural temper;
"It is well we should know
our own miserable nature"
... [ Life: Ch. 13 #1 ]
Self-knowledge regarding
our motives and attachments:
St. Teresa taught that
even when one has strived
for detachment
from possesions and pleasures,
the beginners in prayer
are often attached
to comfort and security.
But these attachments are often rationalized
by health and spiritual needs.
"Our hearts...are so mean
that we think the earth would fail..
if we were to cease
-- to care even for a moment
for the body, and
-- give ourselves up to spirituality.
Then we think that
to have all we require
- contributes to recollection,
- because anxieties disturb prayer.
It is painful to me that
- our confidence in God
is so scanty, and
- our self-love so strong,
as that any anxiety
about our own necessities
should disturb us"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile soul and body together,
in order that we may
- not miss our ease
in this world...
- yet have the fruition of God
in the next;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 7]
~ Self-examination
at the appropriate time
and duration
(not self-absorption)
- It should not occupy one's attention
to the extent that its focus is
-- on oneself and
-- not on God .
- Self-knowledge "is the bread
which must be eaten
. ..with all the meats,
however delicate they may be,
in the way of prayer;
without this bread,
life cannot be sustained,
though it must be taken
by measure."
(in its proper proportion)
- St. Teresa advised that
the soul who is already mindful
of its weaknesses and errors:
should focus
-- on God's presence,
-- not on its own failings.
(But) "When a soul (already)
- 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,
Why should it be necessary for it
to waste its time on this subject?
Why should it not
rather proceed
to other matters
which our Lord places before it,
and for neglecting which
there is no reason?
His Majesty surely knows better
than we do
what kind of food
is proper for us.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 23]
~ Self-knowledge regarding
our relations with others:
- Self-Knowledge and Humility
are also important when faced
with the temptation of
letting one's peace be disturbed
by the failings which we perceive
in others:
St. Teresa describes a failing in
self-knowledge,
"... the mistakes which...people make
in reliance on their own good intentions"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #15 ]
"...persons are carried away
by a zeal for virtue"
Here, we thinks we suffer
because others offend God and
that our own zeal is a virtue.
But St. Teresa states
this is a temptation which
-- occupies our mind,
-- disturbs our peace, and
-- hinders our prayer.
St. Teresa advises, instead
that we see to our own failings
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #14 ]
- Self knowledge is also important
in those who begin
to enjoy the fruits of prayer
and so want "everybody else to
be very spiritual also".
They want to guide others
in a spiritual practice
in which they, themselves,
feel they have had
experience and benefits
but they don't take into consideration
that all their other practices
(good or bad)
will be observed and followed.
Of herself, St. Teresa said:
"They heard me say great things
of the blessedness of prayer,
and, on the other,
saw how poor I was in virtue,
notwithstanding my prayer".
"they knew not
how these things
could be compatible
one with the other.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
Since "they heard (her talk)
of the blessedness of prayer"
they had a good impression
of her and her progress.
So they would be influenced
to follow her in her failings, too.
So, it "made them not to regard
that as evil
which was really so in itself"
namely,
that they saw me
do (evil) myself,
now and then,
during the time
that they thought well of me" .
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
St. Teresa said that this can
"be a source of temptation
and disorder" (confusion)
If one attempts to teach and model
one's good practice,
e.g. prayerfulness
they need to be
"endowed with solid virtues",
- so that all their other habits
will also be exemplary.
- so "that he may not put
temptation in the way of others"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #11 ]
____________________
8). Regarding the qualities
of a Spiritual Director,
what does St. Teresa advise?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 24, 26, 27 ]
Regarding the qualities
of a Spiritual Director,
St. Teresa states that
- prudence,
- sound understanding, and
- experience
- learning
are important.
She values experience but
would prefer learning over experience.
"But if these...qualities cannot be had together,
the first two are the most important,
because learned men may be found
with whom we can communicate
when it is necessary.
She states that a humble and virtuous learned man
is beneficial for beginners:
"...For beginners,
learned men are of little use,
if they are not men of prayer."
But, she stressed that
the director's spirituality
should be based on truth
rather than a spirituality
accompanied by prayer
but without basis on truth
Learning is a great thing,
- for it teaches us who know so little,
and
- enlightens us;
so when we have come to the knowledge of the truths
contained in the holy writings,
we do what we ought to do.
From silly devotions, God deliver us!
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #24 ]
"Though learning does not
seem necessary for discretion,
...every Christian should continue
to be guided by a learned director
....and the more learned the better.
They who walk in the way of prayer
have the greater need of learning;
and the more spiritual they are
the greater is that need.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #26 ]
"Let them not say
that learned men
not given to prayer
are not fit counsellors
for those who pray:
that is a delusion"
"a spiritual director is necessary;
but if he be not a learned man,
he is a great hindrance.
It will help us much
if we consult
those who are learned,
provided they be virtuous;
even if they be not spiritual,
- they will be of service to me, and
- God will enable them to understand
what they should teach;
- He will even make them spiritual,
in order that they may help us on."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #27 ]
_________________________
9). What does St. Teresa advise us
regarding "learned men,
and religious in particular" ?
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #29, 30]
Regarding "learned men, and
religious in particular", St. Teresa advises:
- Thankgiving to God
-- for providing us with these
Confessors and Teachers
-- for enlightening them so
that they can guide us
- Acknowledge the labor
and sacrifice
of the Confessors and Teachers
-- "who, by labours so great,
have attained to the truth"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #29 ]
-- who "undergo
the poverty
of the religious life,
together with
its penances,...
the yoke of obedience,...
trials everywhere,
everywhere the Cross.
"Our prayer must therefore be very earnest
for those who give us light.
What should we be without them
in the midst of these violent storms
which now disturb the Church?
If some have fallen,
the good will shine more and more.
May it please our Lord
to hold them in His hand,
and help them,
that they may help us.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #30 ]
___________________
10). What did St. Teresa say
about anxieties regarding
our security or health
and their effect on prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
St. Teresa taught that
even when one has strived for
detachment from
- possessions and
- pleasures,
the beginner in prayer is still often
attached to
- health,
- comfort, and
- security.
We even defend our concerns
with the excuse that
these concerns must
be resolved and met,
so as not to disturb our prayer.
St. Teresa said that:
- these anxieties are based on
-- self-love and
-- attachments.
- They will hinder spiritual
progress since they are
-- self-seeking
-- not God-seeking.
Their progress is hindered since
they do not embrace the Cross.
St. Teresa stated that they
are not single-minded
in their search for God,
They search for God, but
they want to be trouble-free.
"Our hearts...are so mean that
we think the earth would fail us
under our feet,
if we were to
-- cease to care
even for a moment
for the body, and
-- give ourselves up
to spirituality"
( St. Teresa seems to be showing
the error in the attitude
that one must have sufficient
provisions for one's needs
so one can be free of worries
in order to be able
to concentrate on prayer)
"Then we think that
to have all we require
- contributes to recollection,
- because anxieties disturb prayer"
It is painful to me that
- our confidence in God is so scanty,
and
- our self-love so strong,
as that any anxiety
about our own necessities
should disturb us."
"...a mere nothing will give us
as much trouble
as great and important matters
will give to others."
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 6 ]
Of herself, St. Teresa wrote that
she had good intentions and aims
but while she
- labored to seek God in prayer,
at the same time she also was
- laboring to live at ease
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #8 ]
"this way of going on
seems to betray a disposition
to reconcile
soul and body together,
in order that we may
- not miss our ease
in this world,
- and yet have the fruition of God
in the next"
"but it is the pace of a hen--
it will never bring us to liberty of spirit".
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 7]
That, I believe, is reason enough
why those who begin
do not attain more quickly
to great perfection;
...[ Life: Ch. 13 # 8]
To " imitate the Saints
by striving after solitude and silence,
and many other virtues
...will not kill
these wretched bodies of ours,
which insist on
being treated so orderly,
that they may
disorder the soul; and
Satan, too,...
When he sees us
a little anxious about them...
wants nothing more
to convince us
that our way of life
must kill us, and
destroy our health;
even if we weep,
he makes us afraid of blindness"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
When St. Teresa realizd that
this was a temptation
which hindered her prayer,
she "resolved to make no account
- of my body
- nor of my health"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
"I know of no better sight
or better health...
than the loss of both
in such a cause"
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #9]
"when (Satan) suggested to me
that I was ruining my health,
I...say that
- my death was of no consequence...
- I did not want rest,
but the Cross.
I saw clearly...
though I was really very sickly,
it was either
- a temptation...or
- a weakness on my part.
My health has been much better
since I have ceased to look
after my ease and comforts.
It is of great importance
not to let our own thoughts
frighten us
in the beginning,
when we set ourselves to pray.
...[ Life: Ch. 13 #10]
______________________
