Stages of a praying life

Stages of a praying life by St Theresa of Avila

It is important to always carry on, even in periods of aridity. Everything should be accepted as a precious gift and old values are to be replaced by new ones, always more impersonal and encompassing.
To reach deep and genuine prayer, the individual goes through several stages. Saint Theresa of Avila has numbered them in her books “Life”, "The Way of Perfection," and "The Interior Castle", as they will be summed up here. These stages are concomitant and interwoven. At some periods certain aspects of other stages may become more prominent or re-emerge when one is attuned to higher levels.

First stage:

The pilgrim wishes to become conscious of the inner life. Now and then he surrenders to his inner self, but with some restraints. He reflects about the aimed state of pure soul, but not earnestly. Sometimes he searches quietude, other times he gets distracted with worldly business and affairs. His heart and feelings often give in to mundane interests. In this struggle, he seeks freedom, even though he still finds himself being dragged into affections, self-satisfaction, and honours and is still easily taken over by the senses. At this stage he needs intercessors and needs asking help to the Most High. His natural talents provide him with a breeding ground for inward deepening and these are also tools to get him more introspective. The mind takes active part in the process, be it in prayer, in silent retreat or in reflection. This stage is transcended when he renounces all what is superfluous.

Second stage:

He persists and the progresses are already noticeable. However, he still does not feel steady on the Path. He starts to recognize the dangers and to move away from them consciously. The inner call comes to him through others, through lectures, as well as through sickness and suffering. Here begins a more intensive purification and refining of the bodies. The assails of the adverse forces become more frequent. Consciousness presents itself more actively and mental faculties, sharper. He knows that outside this Path he will not find what he seeks; his only hope lies on the inner help. This stage is transcended by ceaseless prayer. Prayer incorporates to his being and it becomes permanent when there is drive, resilience, commitment and dedication. 

Third stage:

He realizes he has been inwardly guided to overcome the obstacles. He keeps self-control and employs time wisely. He does good deeds, he is correct in his actions and has the firm intention not to repeat  mistakes. Despite of that, he fancies this life too much to be able to offer himself to it entirely. He fears worldly involvements, but has still too much care for himself. Love has not yet been projected beyond human ego. He resembles a traveller who, instead of heading straight to his destiny, goes on stopping by at guest-houses along the journey. He acquires readiness and obedience; and he is able to pay more attention to his own faults than to other people's. At the same time he also acquires taste and pleasure in teaching others and that holds him a long time stuck at this stage. He transcends this level by acquiring humility.

There is a biblical episode that represents this stage (Matthew 19:16-22):

“And behold, one came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,  Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.”

Fourth stage:

He is now at a subtler level of consciousness, wherein the opposition forces have less access. Even though their assails may be substantial, they are transformed by the spirit, engendering more blessings than damage. At this point his rational mind and his personal projects are of little value, as love converts them into deeds. He is still concerned with himself and likes to analyse his own development. His sensitive side begins to get quiet, not worrying so much with trials or with awkward facts. Even when his bodies may be a bit troubled, he remains in inner peace. He recognizes that the obstacles are within himself, and not outside. He persists without major fantasies. However, personal efforts no longer yield results. He notices an inner “construction” being carried out. The senses and the material world start losing power over him. He recognizes his own weaknesses and wants, at all costs, to listen to the call of turning into his own centre and there remain. Human faculties answer to this call, abandon interest for external facts and dive into the inner world. Consciousness is gently led to withdraw, to concentrate on higher principles, to renounce the world and all vanities. He has the will to serve and when he cannot fulfil that wish, his desire to serve increases. He allows himself to be surrendered to That One who guides him, without worrying about rewards. The mind is now permeated with a superior Light, which lifts it up. Consciousness is no longer tied up to the formalities of spiritual service, as it used to be, and it moves forward much more freely. He loses fear, makes progress in virtues, and he is leaving behind worldly appeals. At this point, techniques to aid interiorization and prayer bring more damage than benefit. It is recommended that he keeps the remembrance of the Supreme and forget about himself. His consciousness is not yet schooled in the laws of the spirit, but it keeps away from situations that could lead it off-course. The soul is already able to yield good fruits. At this point, “whoever thinks less and wishes to do less, does more”.

Fifth stage:

Many reach this level, but few are specially graced by it. He no longer has the slightest restraint to surrender himself completely to the Supreme. Many may have the ability to keep external discipline to pray at this level, but there aren't many who are prepared to reach the inner virtues typical of this stage. Consciousness expands itself, but he does not understand how, nor is he aware of his true aspirations. The worst human impurities have vanished, but the minor, trickier ones, persist. Distractions from mental movements, such as imagination and straying thoughts still go on but do not really disturb him. The mind, in quietude, nothing sees, nothing hears and nothing understands. Inner union is briefly experienced, but it is undoubtedly felt. Quietude is extended to longer periods. He no longer values deeds accomplished in the past. He is like a flying butterfly, free from the old cocoon. He feels sorrow for his prayer not being thorough. Prayer becomes free of formulas. Consciousness recognizes its alliance with the inner world. It has encounters with the inner self, even though the opposition forces might still try to impede them. At this point, peace and joy produced during these encounters are real. Unreal is the contentment with worldly things. He knows that the opposition forces produce illusory states of union, which effects degenerate more than elevate, and he does not allow himself to be dragged by them. At this stage, he realizes clearly that there is no safety to be found in this world – taking the lesson of Judas who, despite walking side-by-side with Christ and his disciples, still betrayed them.

Sixth stage:

Consciousness, now purified, stands before its own limitations and misery. Intense is the suffering. It is led to surrender totally, as it realizes that it is worth nothing by itself. In pain, it experiences the same what, formerly,  used to be found in joy. It decides to follow the Law and to distance itself from the common world. It has insights that bring about balance, as though the inner self would say: “Do not worry, it is me, fear nothing”. Consciousness has never been so alert to the inner life. It has never had so much light, but it still envision veiled mysteries. Whatever is known, came by direct experience, as it no longer values other means. The Earth is not perceived in the same way, as it is living in divine love. It wishes never to fail again. Certain gifts are available to the soul at this stage: science of the greatness of the Law, self-knowledge, humility, indifference for all what is material. It is aided to particularly avoid sorrow, as well as excessive happiness and delight.

Seventh stage:

The Grace received starts to be understood, though not intellectually. He realizes that the greatness of Life is limitless. He faces a triad of energies and sees them as one. Immense is the clarity that emerges in his being at this Presence. Such experience of plenitude, is however fleeting, and it will only become permanent when the soul is entirely absorbed by the spirit. There is a considerable distance between this stage and the former ones. Here it is as if the soul were, for the most part, spirit. He notices that in former stages there have been many interferences and that at this point, no opposition force can intrude. Consciousness is awaken where the soul expresses itself in plenitude. Even if unbalances and pain might still be present in the bodies, at this level, his being is well. Quietude is almost uninterrupted. He feels the suffering of those who get lost. After this stage, a portal must be crossed by consciousness, which will enter a new Path, the one of the spirit.

(translation from "Esoteric Lexicon" - Trigueirinho - )