Teresa of Avila wrote The Interior Castle in which she described seven mansions that are encountered as one journeys to ecstatic union with the Divine. One of three women named Doctor of the Church, her vow of poverty did not keep her from founding a number of refuges for single women across Europe. Teresa lived in Spain from 1515-1582.
Let nothing upset you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything is changing. God alone is changeless. Patience attains the goal. Who has God lacks nothing; God alone fills all her need.
-Teresa of Avila
