Reading Teresa of Avila through Aquinas on the soul, spiritual development and knowledge

Book Description

This scholarly exploration invites readers into the profound spiritual teachings of Teresa of Avila, one of Christianity's most celebrated mystics, through the illuminating lens of Thomas Aquinas's philosophical framework. Rather than following the conventional path through Teresa's famous seven dwelling places, author Kateřina Kutarňová presents a fresh interpretive approach that reveals new dimensions of the saint's mystical wisdom.

The work examines how intellect, will, and mystical knowledge interweave in Teresa's spiritual vision, particularly as expressed in her masterpiece, the Interior Castle. Kutarňová demonstrates compelling connections between Teresa's experiential mysticism and Aquinas's systematic theology, showing how these two great minds complement each other in understanding the soul's journey toward divine union.

The book builds toward a striking conclusion about mystical marriage as a form of proto-beatific vision, a state that embodies true beatitude while remaining incomplete in this earthly existence. This analysis offers readers both theological insight and practical understanding of advanced spiritual states.

Spanning 240 pages, this work serves spiritual seekers, students of Christian mysticism, and anyone curious about the intersection of philosophical rigor and mystical experience. Kutarňová's novel interpretation provides fresh perspective on Teresa's enduring teachings while making the depths of mystical life more accessible to contemporary readers seeking spiritual growth and understanding.