A true masterpiece of spiritual reflection, Interior Castle contains the autobiographical journey of St. Teresa of Ávila. She describes the spiritual life as a castle with many levels. Each individual begins in the lowest level of the castle steeped in the awareness of sin and a passion for spiritual maturity. As her metaphor unfolds, St. Teresa devotes a considerable amount of time to the contemplative life and the soul’s union with God. St. Teresa was plagued by constant illness and pain, making her spiritual meditations a vivid and tangible expression of devotion to Jesus Christ.
St. Teresa of Ávila was a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with St. John of the Cross. She wrote several books and was a prominent Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and theologian. She spent her life in Spain and died in 1582.