Chapter 19 Summary and Analysis

Teresa devotes the seventh chapter on the Sixth Dwelling to the topic of the painful lamenting the soul does about all the ways she falls short or has in the past been brazen in her disobedience or in any way ungrateful. Increased knowledge of God just serves to intensify the scrutiny with which she views herself and considers her own shortcomings. Recognizing the mercy with which she has been blessed and the readiness with which she was forgiven in spite of these shortcomings just makes the sting of her regret more intense.

Her recommendation for the souls in this state is that they meditate on the saints who have walked this path before them. She even suggests they cultivate relationships with them in order that they be able to learn from the intimacy gained from communing with these saints. It is...