In the 16th century, St. Teresa of Avila used a castle with seven chambers as a metaphor for a persons spiritual development. Free of religious dogma, this modern translation by Mirabai Starr renders St. Teresas work a beautiful and practical set of teachings for seekers of all faiths in need of spiritual guidance. It also places this classic in a contemporary context, reasserting its importance even after more than 400 years.Penguin Group nThe acclaimed modern translation of St. Teresa of Avilas classic book on spiritual awareness and guidance nCelebrated for almost five centuries as a master of spiritual literature, 16th-century saint Teresa of Avila is one of the most beloved religious figures in history. Overcome one day by a mystical vision of a crystal castle with seven chambers, each representing a different stage in spiritual development, Teresa immediately wrote The Interior Castle. Probably her most important and widely studied work, it guides the spiritual seeker through each stage of development until the souls final union with the divine. Free of religious dogma, this modern translation renders St. Teresas work a beautiful and practical set of teachings for seekers of all faiths in need of spiritual guidance. It also places this classic book on spirituality --a gem of mystical literature made accessible and relevant to the modern spiritual seeker -Sharon Salzberg--in a contemporary context, reasserting its literary importance even after more than 400 years.n