The Interior Castle is more than a book. It is a powerful image of the mystery of the human person. It is the soul of St. Teresa of Avila, who journeys through the castle from one dwelling place to another mapping out a feminine, yet warlike, program for the Christian spiritual life. It is also the last book Teresa wrote: in 1577, five years before she died, she recorded, to the best of her knowledge, the experiences for which she praised God.
Reading Teresa herself is indispensable. The authors of this study edition designed it as a springboard to reading and understanding Teresa's text. They present a chapter of Teresa's book, followed by a review of the progress of her thought and the principal ideas in each chapter. Next they give interpretive notes: doctrinal, historical, and sociological. Then because Teresa wanted her writings to be in harmony with sacred Scripture, they point out scriptural texts that support her ideas.
Finally, the authors show how teachings of the present-day church demonstrate both how Teresa's basic notions were correct and how we can apply her principles to our times.