9 While on a visit to the house of the Duchess of Alva (where at her request I was bidden by obedience to stay during a journey)274274Doña Maria Enriquez, wife of Ferdinand de Toledo, Duke of Alva. This visit took place in February, 1574, and lasted two days the Saint being then on her journey from Salamanca to Alva de Tormes. (Found. ch. xxi.) I was taken 192into such a room. I stood amazed on entering it and wondered what could be the use of such a jumble of knick-knacks; then I thought that the sight of so many different things should lead one to praise God. It is fortunate I saw them, for they offer me a suitable comparison in this case. Although I was in the room some time, there were so many objects in it that I forgot what I had seen and could no more remember each object, nor of what it was made, than if I had never seen it, though I recalled the sight of the whole collection.
10. Something of this sort occurs when the spirit is very closely united to God. It is introduced into this mansion of the empyrean heaven which must be in the centre of our souls for since God resides in them, He must own one of the mansions. While the soul is in ecstasy, our Lord does not appear to wish it to apprehend these mysteries and its inebriation of joy in Him suffices it. But sometimes He is pleased to withdraw it from this rapture when it at once perceives what the mansion contains. On returning to itself, the mind can recall what has been seen but is unable to describe it, nor can it, by its natural abilities, attain to see more of the supernatural than God has chosen to show it.
11. Do I seem to own that the soul really sees something and that this is an imaginary vision? I mean nothing of the sort: I am speaking of an intellectual vision, but being so ignorant and dull I can explain nothing and am well aware that if anything 193is rightly stated, it does not come from myself.
12. I think that if the soul learns no mysteries at any time during raptures, they are no true raptures but some natural weakness that may occur to people of delicate constitutions, such as women, when by its strenuous efforts the spirit overpowers physical nature, and produces stupor, as I think I said in connection with the prayer of quiet.275275Castle, M. iv. ch. iii. 2.
13. This is not so in genuine raptures, for then I believe God ravishes the soul wholly to Himself, as being His very own and His bride, and shows her some small part of the kingdom she has thus won. However little this may be, all is great that is in this great God. He will allow of no obstacle from the powers or the senses but bids that the doors of all the mansions should be closed at once, only leaving open the one He is in, so that we may enter it. Blessed be such mercy—well may men be accursed who do not seek to profit by it, but who forfeit it!
14. O, my sisters! what nothingness is all we have given up, or that we do, or ever could do for a God who thus wills to communicate Himself to a worm! If we hope to enjoy this favour even during our mortal life, what are we doing? Why do we delay? What can repay the loss of the time of a ‘Memento’276276The Saint wrote here and elsewhere Memento, and not momenta as is commonly printed. It refers, of course, to that short interruption at Mass when the priest makes a Memento of those for whom he intends to pray. Likewise St. Teresa often speaks of the ‘space of a Credo or an Ave Maria’ always implying a very short duration. in searching for this Lord, like the 194bride through the streets and squares.277277Cant. iii. 2: ‘Per vicos et plateas quæram quem diligit anima mea.’ Oh, what a mockery is everything in this world that does not lead towards and help us to attain to this state! Even though all the earthly pleasures, riches, and happiness that can be imagined could last for eternity, they would be disappointing and base contrasted with the treasures which are to be enjoyed for ever—and yet even these are nothing compared with the possession for our own of the Lord of all treasures in heaven and earth.
15. Oh, human blindness! When, oh, when shall this dust be taken from our eyes? Although we think it insufficient to blind us, yet I see some little motes or grains of dust which, if left to spread, will suffice to harm us greatly. At least, for the love of God, my sisters, let these faults convince us of our misery, serving to clear our sight as did the clay the eyes of the blind man who was cured by the Spouse.278278St. John ix. 6. Then, realizing our imperfections, we shall beg Him more fervently to let us benefit by our defers so as to please Him in all things.
16. I have unconsciously wandered far from my subject: forgive me, sisters. Believe me, when I come to these wonders of God’s greatness (I mean when I come to speak of them) I cannot but feel keenly grieved at seeing what we lose by our own fault. It is true that His Majesty grants such favours to whom He chooses; yet if we sought Him as He seeks us, He would give them to us all. He only longs for souls on whom He may bestow them, for His gifts do not diminish His riches.
19517. To return to what I was describing. By the commands of the Bridegroom, the doors of the mansions and even those of the keep and of the whole castle are closed; for when He intends ravishing the soul He takes away the power of speech, and although occasionally the other faculties are retained rather longer, no word can be uttered.279279Life, ch. xx. 18. ‘Like a person who, having a rope around his neck and being strangled, tries to breathe.’ Sometimes the person is at once deprived of all the senses, the hands and body becoming as cold as if the soul had fled; occasionally no breathing can be detected.280280Life, ch. xx 23, 29. Way of Perf. ch. xxxii. Rel. viii. 8, 11. ‘The first effect of ecstatic prayer concerns the body, which remains as if the soul had departed; it grows cold from a deficiency of natural heat, the eyes close gently, and the other senses are suspended; and yet a weak body recovers health in this prayer.’ (Anton. a Spiritu Sancto, Direct. Mystic. tr. iv. d. 2, § 4, n. 150). This condition lasts but a short while; I mean in the same degree,281281’Digo para estar in un ser.’ for when this profound suspension diminishes the body seems to come to itself and gain strength to return again to this death which gives more vigorous life to the soul.
18. This supreme state of ecstasy never lasts long, but although it ceases, it leaves the will so inebriated,282282 Christusque nobis sit cibus,Potusque noster sit fides;Læti bibamus sobriamEbrietatem Spiritus. Hymn for Lauds, Feria secunda, old version.
(Compare Anton. a Sp. S. l.c. tr. iv. n. 30.) and the mind so transported out of itself that for a day, or sometimes for several days, such a person is incapable of attending to anything but what excites the will to the love of God; 196although wide awake enough to this, she seems asleep as regards all earthly matters.
Source: Interior Castle (CCEL)