Recollection, the Mind at Rest: Entering Teresa's Fourth Mansion

So I'm thinking that the first four mansions that Teresa has in her Interior Castles might be summarized as follows:

• First mansion: Become aware of my soul and begin praying.
• Second mansion: Become aware of my sins, develop humility through reflection.
• Third mansion: Overcome sins, develop perseverance through surrender.
• Fourth mansion: Putting the mind at rest, expanding the heart/will through love.

None of these "moves" are done solo.  God's grace makes each possible.  None of these moves is purely passive.  Effort is essential.  The heavy work is done by God, but I must be ready and willing.

The fourth mansion begins with something Teresa calls a form of the "Prayer of Recollection."  From what I understand, this is the doorway to what she calls the "Prayer of Quiet," which is the main attraction of this mansion.  Such recollection or "gathering" in prayer prepares a place for the prayer of quiet to take place, like building a temple inside.  "The senses and all external things seem gradually to lose their hold on him, while the soul, on the other hand, regains its lost control. . . .  [These people] become markedly conscious that they are gradually retiring within themselves; anyone who experiences this will discover what I mean: I cannot explain it better."  (Teresa of Avila, St.; Peers, E. Allison (2010-10-07). Interior Castle (Kindle Locations 1137-8, 1156-8.))

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In such recollection, "we should contrive, not to use our reasoning powers, but to be intent upon discovering what the Lord is working in the soul."  (ibid, Kindle Locations 1166-1167.)  Although there is surrender of the will, this does not mean inactivity.  Prayer becomes more alive because we are in the presence of the King!  This is where we can enter into conversation with God, praying and listening, seeking and finding, so that we can discover what God is up to.

And what will we find?  We will find that "the person who does most is he who thinks least and desires to do least: what we have to do is to beg like poor and needy persons coming before a great and rich Emperor and then cast down our eyes in humble expectation."  (ibid, Kindle Locations 1174-1176.)  Too much effort brings more harm than good.  It awakens the mind into agitation.  It puts the focus on ourselves instead of on God, the one works in and through all.

I like her warning concerning thinking:

Let [your soul] try, without forcing itself or causing any turmoil, to put a stop to all discursive reasoning, yet not to suspend the understanding, nor to cease from all thought, though it is well for it to remember that it is in God's presence and Who this God is. If feeling this should lead it into a state of absorption [in His presence], well and good; but it should not try to understand what this state is, because that is a gift bestowed upon the will. The will, then, should be left to enjoy it, and should not labour except for uttering a few loving words, for although in such a case one may not be striving to cease from thought, such cessation often comes, though for a very short time."   (Kindle Locations 1198-1202.) (emphasis mine)

Recollection is the place where the mind can rest, so that the soul can call out to God in love.  Such love is what the Prayer of Quiet is made of.