Way of Perfection - Discussion of Chapter 10 - St. Teresa of Avila

                  Discussion of Chapter 10

In Chapter 10, St. Teresa   " teaches      - that detachment from the things aforementioned           is insufficient        if we are not detached from our own selves and      - that this virtue and humility go together.

In chapter 10, St. Teresa continues to guide her reader 

  onward toward "holy freedom of spirit". 

Her writing implies her  approbation 

   - of  one's detachment from the world and

   - of one's labor, with God's help, in striving for it.

    "Once we have detached ourselves from the world...

           it must look as if  

              - we have done everything…

              - there is nothing left 
                     with which we have to contend. 

           But (she said) do not feel secure…"

She, then,  guides us further on
    to strive for detachment also

  from ourselves; 
             our will; 
             our concern for our health and welfare.(*)
  
            (*) (She advised that if one is sick, 
                     they should seek expert consultation and care.
                   Here, she is referring to the need to avoid
                     habitual focus and undue concerns
                   for one's physical/emotional state and security.)

She said there will be no change or progress in one  

     unless  "she renounces her self-will"

If we are not detached from our own selves,  

   - our detachment from external things, 

         will  be insufficient and unsuccessful.

For with  detachment from ourselves 

  - one "cares nothing  if he loses everything, 

        nor does he count this as loss: 

  - his sole fear is  that he may displease his God 

        he begs Him to nourish these virtues within him"

She counsels:

- that "it is a hard thing to withdraw

     from ourselves and  oppose ourselves, 

   because we  
     -- are very close to ourselves and 
     -- love ourselves very dearly".

- that the virtue of Humility is needed, 
     together with that of  Detachment.

   Humility will keep before our  minds,  

      -- the infinite mercy and love of God, 

      -- our  powerlessness and dependence on Him 

      -- and thankfulness for his gifts.

   Humility embraces self-knowledge 

      which can discern our self-will in its many guises

She also advises  us:

- "to keep constantly in our thoughts 

     -- the vanity of all things and 

     -- the rapidity with which they pass away"

- "to withdraw our affections from things 
       which are so trivial and 

-  (to) fix them (our attention) upon 
       what will never come to an end..."

- "as soon as we begin to grow fond of  (trivial things)

     -- withdraw our thoughts from them and 

     -- turn them to God"

- "The first thing, then, 
        that we have to do, and 
        that at once,

        -- is to rid ourselves of love for this body of ours"

-  While St. Teresa did not favor excessive penance, 

    she extolled the value of:

     -- offering penances, sacrifices, 

           and our daily suffering  to Our Lord, 

     -- and "not to practice self-indulgence for Christ"

- that the devil will lay "snares and entanglements" 

     regarding fears for health, safety, welfare, and security 

   which will prompt us to invent for ourselves, 

     excuses for: 
           -- comforts; 
           -- avoidance of penance; 
           -- or even our duties.

"The devil tells us that self-indulgence is necessary 

    if we are to carry out and  keep the Rule of our Order, and 

  so many of us...try to keep our Rule 
      by looking after our health 

   that we die without having kept it"

"Sometimes there is very little the matter with us,

   yet we think that it should dispense us 

          from all our obligations and

   that if we ask to be excused from them  

          we are doing all we need".

"for if once the devil begins to frighten us 

     about losing our health, 

  we shall never get anywhere".

- Remembering  to 

     -- observe love of neighbor; 

     -- not to judge others' behavior.

- We should pray and strive, 

        as much as we can, 

        for Detachment and Humility 

    so that we can  progress toward "freedom of spirit".

    "it is to possess these virtues, then, my daughters,

         that you must labour 

      if you would leave the land of Egypt,

    for, when you have obtained them, 

       you will also obtain the manna; 

    all things will taste well to you; and, 

    however much the world may dislike their savor, 

       to you they will be sweet".

~   End of  Discussion of  Chapter 10   ~