Chapter 21 Summary and Analysis

Introducing the ninth chapter on the Sixth Dwelling, Teresa compares one's faith with a crystal containing healing powers. Just carrying the stone around, the soul can feel its benefit and it demonstrates its potency in the lives of the people she shares it with, as well. One day, the giver of the crystal comes and opens the box containing the crystal, since he is the only one who can, so she can see it, and the image of its beauty is engraved in her memory forever. That analogy is what Teresa uses to explain what she calls imaginative visions, or visions received visually. The same way other visions embed themselves more as impressions than crisp memories, these visions seem like something seen through a film and overcome the soul with awe.

Teresa explains this vision is such an insight into the...