This 16th-century Spanish mystic is considered one of the most
profound spiritual teachers in the history of Christianity. Father
Kieran Kavanaugh, the editor of the volume, says in his introduction
"The Interior Castle" has come to be regarded as
Teresa's best synthesis....If asked to single out one work as her
masterpiece, most of those acquainted with the Teresian writings would
probably choose "The Interior Castle." Teresa
received the image of the whole book in a vision on Trinity Sunday,
1577. An early biographer says that she beheld "a most beautiful
crystal globe like a castle in which she saw seven dwelling places, in
the seventh, which was in the center, the King of Glory dwelt in the
greatest splendor.