TSP4 - How the Enemy Works - St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:34 — 25.2MB) | Embed

Episode 4 – How the Enemy Works – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke

Dan Burke and Kris McGregor discuss the challenges faced in the second mansion as described by St. Teresa of Avila in her book “Interior Castle.” They emphasize the importance of discerning and managing relationships that might hinder spiritual progress. Dan shares a personal story about losing a long-term friendship because of his conversion, illustrating the difficulty and necessity of setting boundaries for spiritual growth.

Consistent spiritual practices such as daily mental prayer, sacramental participation, and the examen are helpful towards progress through the early stages of the spiritual journey. Fidelity to these practices is key to avoiding stagnation, which is described as “circling the drain,” and moving deeper into spiritual life.

The importance of having a rule of life is a structured plan of spiritual disciplines tailored to one’s state in life. This structure helps maintain focus and fosters a rhythm that aligns with one’s spiritual goals.

The power of spiritual community and finding one’s spiritual “tribe,” whether it’s Carmelite, Benedictine, or another, to help foster growth and accountability. The global nature of community and technology can connect and support Catholics worldwide, even in areas with fewer resources.

Progress requires time and perseverance, and to revisit foundational spiritual practices as needed to support oneself and others on the path to holiness.

Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions

Identifying Spiritual Obstacles: What relationships or influences in your life might be drawing you away from a deeper relationship with God?
Commitment to Prayer: How can you improve your fidelity to daily mental prayer and sacramental life to strengthen your spiritual journey?
Setting Boundaries: Are there any relationships or activities that need boundaries to support your spiritual growth?
Creating a Rule of Life: What specific spiritual disciplines can you incorporate into your daily routine to foster a holy rhythm?
Spiritual Accountability: Do you have a spiritual community or mentor who supports your journey, and how can you deepen this connection?
Navigating Spiritual Desolation: How do you handle periods of spiritual dryness or resistance, and what practices help you remain steadfast?
Embracing Spiritual Patience: In what areas of your spiritual life are you struggling with impatience, and how can you trust God’s timing more fully?
Revisiting Foundational Practices: When was the last time you revisited the basics of your faith, such as prayer, sacraments, and examen, to ensure you’re on the right path?
Supporting Others in Faith: How can you use your own spiritual experiences to guide and encourage others on their journey?
Cultivating Sacred Space: Is there a dedicated space in your home for prayer and reflection, and how can you make it more conducive to encountering God?

You can find the book here.

An excerpt from the book:

“Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.

In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director.“

Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke’s Discerning Hearts page here:

Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.

Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.

In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.

Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.