The Interior Castle (Unabridged‪)‬

The Interior Castle, also titled The Mansions, is a classic work of Christian mysticism by St. Teresa of Ávila. Published in 1588, the text serves as a practical guide for those who wish to achieve mystical union with the divine. Teresa viewed the soul as a “castle made of a single diamond”, which contains seven mansions or dwelling places. The concept of the immanence of God - who dwells in the seventh mansion - was central to her spirituality. 

The Interior Castle guides the believer on an interior journey through the seven mansions toward mystical union. Prayer and meditation are the preconditions for entering upon the quest. The first three mansions are entered through daily prayer, on the active stage of the journey. Mansions four to five involve mystical prayer, and is considered the passive stage as the divine role in the process increases. Mansions six and seven are the betrothal and the consummation of the mystical marriage.