The Fourth Dwelling│Mansions of the Prayer of Quiet
Chapter one
Entering the realm of the supernatural
More beauty as we draw closer to the center of the castle
Poisonous creatures (defects of character) rarely enter here. When they do they are helpful in as much as they spur further growth
Spiritual sweetness: gifts coming from God as pure gift through spiritual practice
Natural consolations come as a result of good deeds. They are good as far as they go but they do not expand the heart. Can be fleeting and a set up for co-dependency
First three dwellings are full of devotionals and discursive mediation. In the 4th love is the path
Love is trying to please God in every way
Loving God means asking that the beauty of his son be celebrated among the people
Soul is beginning to be in a steady state of love even while the mind whirs and spins with distracting thoughts (p. 93)
“Acknowledge our misery” and be at peace through acceptance
Don’t attach to negative thoughts about self or others just let them float on down the river
Chapter two
12. “Water” of spiritual sweetness begins to come from a “spring” very close by…from God. Top of page 98
13. You begin to have love flow out from you
14. Heavenly spring within flows to our whole being. You feel good and don’t know why. Subtle.
15. Spiritual sweetness does not happen through our own effort
16. My will and God’s will begin to be united
17. “Remember: humility! Humility!
18. p. 100 - how to know you’re humble
19. Stop striving for blessing
a. Just love God for no reason or benefit
b. Don’t expect reward; you’re not entitled to it
c. Desire suffering as Jesus suffered
d. God has no obligation to grant us the favors we crave.
Some people don’t crave blessings b/c they would be distracting
e. Striving for spiritual sweetness is a waste of time.
It comes only as a gift from God.
20. Assume the instance of “utter humility and complete detachment.” p. 102
Chapter three
21. Prayer of recollection: “the soul becomes acutely aware of a gently withdrawal inside herself
22. A gift that may come when we begin to detach from the things of the world
23. We stop trying to figure God out
24. We don’t try to force the mind into submission or stop our thoughts (Centering prayer)
25. Prayer of sweetness = prayer of Quiet
26. Let yourself down into the arms of God.
27. Confidence grows as she longs to serve God with less thought of self and fear of trials and suffering
28. Warning: don’t overdo it! Not everything that pops into your head is of God.
