The Way of Perfection: St Teresa of Avila

Here I will post one snip (of many) from The Ascent of Mount Carmel in which St John of the Cross cautions that for those who have entered the 5th mansion (contemplatives) and who wish to advance on the way of perfection, these experiences must be rejected...
Bold is my emphasis

Ascent, book 2 chapter XVII...

"7. You will ask, then, if, when the soul is immature, it must take these things, and, when it is grown, must abandon them; even as an infant must take the breast, in order to nourish itself, until it be older and can leave it. I answer that, with respect to meditation and natural reflection by means of which the soul begins to seek God, it is true that it must not leave the breast of sense in order to continue taking in nourishment until the time and season to leave it have arrived, and this comes when God brings the soul into a more spiritual communion, which is contemplation, concerning which we gave instruction in the eleventh chapter of this book.135 But, when it is a question of imaginary visions, or other supernatural apprehensions, which can enter the senses without the co-operation of man’s free will, I say that at no time and season must it receive them, whether the soul be in the state of perfection, or whether in a state less perfect — not even though they come from God. And this for two reasons. The first is that, as we have said, He produces His effect in the soul, without its being able to hinder it, although, as often happens, it can and may hinder visions; and consequently that effect which was to be produced in the soul is communicated to it much more substantially, although not after that manner. For, as we said likewise, the soul cannot hinder the blessings that God desires to communicate to it, since it is not in the soul’s power to do so, save when it has some imperfection and attachment; and there is neither imperfection nor attachment in renouncing these things with humility and misgiving. The second reason is that the soul may free itself from the peril and effort inherent in discerning between evil visions and good, and in deciding whether an angel be of light or of darkness. This effort brings the soul no advantage; it merely wastes its time, and hinders it, and becomes to it an occasion of many imperfections and of failure to make progress. The soul concerns not itself, in such a case, with what is important, nor frees itself of trifles in the shape of apprehensions and perceptions of some particular kind. This has already been said in the discussion of corporeal visions; and more will be said on the subject hereafter.
8. Let it be believed, too, that, if Our Lord were not about to lead the soul in a way befitting its own nature, as we say here, He would never communicate to it the abundance of His Spirit through these aqueducts, which are so narrow — these forms and figures and particular perceptions — by means whereof He gives the soul enlightenment by crumbs. For this cause David says: Mittit crystallum suam sicut buccellas. 136 Which is as much as to say: He sent His wisdom to the souls as in morsels. It is greatly to be lamented that, though the soul has infinite capacity, it should be given its food by morsels conveyed through the senses, by reason of the small degree of its spirituality and its incapacitation by sense. Saint Paul was also grieved by this lack of preparation and this incapability of men for receiving the Spirit, when he wrote to the Corinthians, saying: ‘I, brethren, when I came to you, could 135 In reality, this instruction is given in Chap. xiii. 136 Psalm cxlvii, 17. 171 Chapter XVII. Wherein is described the purpose and manner of God in His… not speak to you as to spiritual persons, but as to carnal; for ye could not receive it, neither can ye now.’ Tamquam parvulis in Christo lac potum vobis dedi, non escam.137 That is: I have given you milk to drink, as to infants in Christ, and not solid food to eat.
9. It now remains, then, to be pointed out that the soul must not allow its eyes to rest upon that outer husk — namely, figures and objects set before it supernaturally. These may be presented to the exterior senses, as are locutions and words audible to the ear; or, to the eyes, visions of saints, and of beauteous radiance; or perfumes to the sense of smell; or tastes and sweetnesses to the palate; or other delights to the touch, which are wont to proceed from the spirit, a thing that very commonly happens to spiritual persons. Or the soul may have to avert its eyes from visions of interior sense, such as imaginary visions, all of which it must renounce entirely. It must set its eyes only upon the spiritual good which they produce, striving to preserve it in its works and to practice that which is for the due service of God, paying no heed to those representations nor desiring any pleasure of sense. And in this way the soul takes from these things only that which God intends and wills — namely, the spirit of devotion — for there is no other important purpose for which He gives them; and it casts aside that which He would not give if these gifts could be received in the spirit without it, as we have said — namely, the exercise and apprehension of the senses. 137 1 Corinthians iii, 1-2. 1"

https://www.ccel.org/ccel/j/john_cross/ascent/cache/ascent.pdf
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Another clip from book 2 where St. John laments how so many receive such a great grace to be granted contemplative prayer only to become stagnant on the path to perfection because of their attachment to such spiritual experiences:

“It is regrettable, then, to behold some souls, laden as rich vessels with wealth, deeds, spiritual exercises, virtues, and favors from God, who never advance because they lack the courage to make a complete break with some little satisfaction, attachment, or affection (which are all about the same) and thereby never reach the port of perfection. This requires no more than a sudden flap of one’s wings in order to tear the thread of attachment, or to get rid of the clinging remora.”

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I encourage anyone who has experienced contemplative prayer, visions, locutions, spiritual dreams etc. etc. to read the entire book online in the link above. Countless saints such as St. Teresa of Avila, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux St. Edith Stein etc. etc. who followed his advice were able to reach the goal of transforming union.

Again, feel free to disagree with he who is called the "Mystical Doctor of the Church". But please do so after actually reading his works. Also know that you will be disagreeing with St Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross (Edith Stein).

 

St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and the Spiritual Mother of St John of the Cross had many, many extraordinary spiritual experiences and reported them extensively.

Not everyone has such experiences but the fact that she reported them to enlighten her spiritual children means she expected her Spiritual children in many cases to have them and thus to educate them if they should occur.

There is a two fold way in the Spiritual Path, a way of light and a way of inner darkness.

St Therese of Liseaux was one I think who walked in this inner darkness, St Maryam of Bethlehem appeared to have Mystical fireworks, like St Teresa of Avila every time she blew her nose.

Mystical phenomena remind me of having the first go at drinking whisky, it needs to be handled carefully or it could go to your head. St John of the Cross was not advising against drinking the whisky, so to speak but of knowing your limits.

 

I think there is a period before entering the Dark Night of the Soul when folks can be very vulnerable to too much Mystical whisky. When they first experience the prayer of Quiet and later the Prayer of Union. It can go to the head. Later on in the Dark Night there is a long maturation where they get these things in proportion and get a good head for the whisky so to speak.

The soul at earlier stages is rather like someone who has fallen hopelessly , head over heels in love. Is drunk with it in fact. He or she wants to sing, write poetry tell the whole world about it. A bit like Gene Kelly in dancing in the rain.

The soul who goes through the Dark Night is a bit an older married person who has gone through the Mill. They know that romance is fine and should never altogether go away it is commitment and self giving that are the main deal.

I think this is what St John is talking about. Not to stop drinking whisky or not to enjoy doing so, but to handle it well and not to grow too fond of the stuff.

 

There is a little story that they loved to tell in Irish Novitiates. A young novice approached his novice master and told him he had just seen Our Blessed Lady in his cell. Well, said the Novice Master , could you pass a message to her from me the next time you see her. Tell her to help you pack your bags as you're leaving here and going back home!

Too much whisky.

 

There is a story I readabout an Irish pilgrim to Padre Pio, a spiritual child of his. He told Padre Pio he had been talking about him to an Irish Novice Master who warned Padre Pio to be careful of pride with all the huge crowds flocking to him and all the huge publicity.

To which Paper Pio laughed hard, skook his head and said,

'Ah these Novice Masters!'.

You see Padre Pio experienced immense suffering and persecution in the Dark Night of the Soul and this kept his feet firmly planted on the ground.

He had a good head for whisky.

 

The wonder of the internet is that sound advice, along with practical explanations can be found on matters of importance that so many in positions of authority just choose to abandon, dismiss or flat out ignore. What could be more important than the state of a soul? For many (not all) in authority, imho, it comes down to "not being able to give what you don't have".

This forum is a great blessing in that regard ~

 

I think Mystical theology may be a bit like playing football. Having someone who has read all the rules and knows all the tactics is very good. But having someone who has read all the rules, knows all the tactics and has played the game at its various levels is even better.

St Teresa of Avila was asked one time if she had a choice between a holy Director and a learned Director? She replied that she would always choose the learned one.

But best of all, of course a Director who is both learned and wise.

St Teresa was fortunate in that she had several canonised saints she could turn to.

 

I could provide a dozen quotes from The Ascent of Mt. Carmel to assure you that St John indeed advises we must close our intellect, memory and will to all apprehensions, which he lists in minute detail.

But I can see that it is pointless to try. I wouldn't have understood or agreed with St. John until God himself provided me this grace in my soul.

Anyone who actually reads the Ascent will see what St. John advises. He deals with all the arguements people are presenting in this thread, and more. If you are truly seeking transforming union, prayerfully read the mystical Doctor of the Church's work.

Any more words by me are pointless. God bless all of you!

 

This is the key ~ running ahead of the grace of God can get one into a lot of trouble. That said, He points out the way forward and provides the grace to carry on at just the right time ~ God bless you too!

 

It is important to place quotes and viewpoints in a wider context when dealing with Spiritual writers as it is with Scripture itself to have a deeper more balanced understanding.

 

I was trying to think of some instances of Mystical phenomena from the lives of the saints which they paid attention to and were great graces and very helpful to them.

For instance visions were Our Lady appears, especially to victim souls holding out two crowns one of them of thorns symbolising great suffering/ martyrdom to invite them to accept their future path. For instance St Maximilian Kolbe.

Another very common dream/vision of vocation. Padre Pio was one St John Bosco,another also St Patrick

Another very common one is dreams visions of conversion. For instance the vision to the Jew Alphonsus Ratisbonne.

Dreams/visions to saints in times of great trials such as Martyrdom and there are numerous accounts of this from the Church Fathers. St Perpetua.

I could go on and on...deathbed visions for instance or a Saint like St Dominic Savio appearing to his father after death, or St Carlo Acutis to his mother, or St Gabriel Possenti to St Gemma Galgani. The list goes on and on.

Misinterpretation of St John of the Cross might lead us to do what St Paul warns us in Thessalonians not to. That we must not despise prophecy.

 

I agree. I think that to shut down all mystical gifts and phenomena using the arguments of St. John of the Cross may be an over-extension of his arguments. I am speaking as one who has never had any mystical experiences, visions, dreams, locutions etc. For me, I seem stuck in the purgative way, but I will be content if I persist in navigating blind and manage to complete my purgatory here on earth. I am aware too of the famous diagram St. John of the Cross drew, which depicts a map of the narrow way of the true spiritual life. It show 3 paths - 2 wider ones on either side of a narrow central one which goes to the the top of the mountain. One of the side paths leads to attachment to worldly goods. The other side path leads to attachment to spiritual goods (mystical phenomena). The third, narrow, central path to the top (union with God) has 5 words written by St. John on it (in Spanish): "Nada, Nada, Nada, Nada, Nada". Signifying that one should have attachments to "nothing" but Christ alone and and him crucified - 'the naked Jesus'.

It is an interesting topic, and I hope to learn more about the writings of the Carmelite mystics (St. John of the Cross, St Teresa of Avila and St. Therese of Liseux) who are all Doctors of the Church. But it seems to me at this moment that to shut down all mystical phenomena would be to deny also the validity of the Marian phenomenon of these last centuries. Our Lady has been coming to keep us on the path of salvation. She is a good Mother and is continuing to inform and remind us of our goal in life. 'My people perish for lack of knowledge' (Hosea 4:6)

 

One of the exorcists (maybe Fr. R.) said in one of his talks something to the effect of "staying detached from the created while being profoundly attached to the Uncreated". It kinda sums it all up, imho. St. Teresa of Avila was able to see the evil one and say "oh, it's only you" because she was so very detached from "the created", be it human or whatever. Discernment is difficult because God works through His creatures most of the time; sometimes though a soul may receive a great and unexpected gift, for which one should be thankful. But detachment from the gift still applies as it's the Giver we should love ~

 

This makes sense to me.

 

Your point about not continually mulling over is well taken, a tendency I must resist. There are three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Faith in the Triune God is straightforward. We were personally baptized into the Life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All truth flows from this foundational Truth: Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. And hope is “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817).

Such hope should free me from uncertainty and endless speculation so that my inner life consists in surrender to, and acting upon the Holy Spirit's promptings. And the fruit of such is the worship of God and the concrete love of neighbor.

The things beyond my control are exactly that, so I entrust them to God in prayer. But my wife, my children, me neighbors, my fellow workers and/or parishioners, these I can love through concrete acts. The larger scope of reality requires intercessory prayer, but circular speculation I must avoid.

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day."

 

I apologize for deflecting from the course of the conversation which focused on not becoming attached to spiritual experiences.

 

No need to apologize. You have provided an understandable explanation of:
To know Him, love Him, and serve Him in this life,
And be happy with Him in the next.
(From the Catholic Catechism “why did God make me?)

 

That's very kind of you, HH!

Being succinct like you is not one of my talents. You should engage me in a verbal conversation: my Irish tongue carries on and on! My poor wife, who expresses herself so well in short clips, has eliminated her time in Purgatory just by listening to me!

 

St. Teresa of Jesus was magnificent in her book , “The Interior Castle” or the mansions. In the seven mansions we are all in different rooms or levels. When we have learned enough about one mansion we say, ahhhh. And move to the next. Not everyone can grasp the higher level unless they have moved through the castle. It’s best to find someone in your room to discuss things with. I liked Way of Perfection, it got me started on the path. And the story of Therese “Everything Is Grace “ is another favorite.