Western Religious Experience

Question 1

Window pane analogy

Answer 1

Stains on window lesser purity condition of the window.
Clean- pure Ray would transform and illumine it in such a way
Soul allows God to work in it it will be transformed and transfigured in God

Question 2

Soul and proper purity

Answer 2

Perfect purity, soul needs to be cleansed

Will never find peace and contentment

Question 3

Divine Union

Answer 3

Reason why the soul must first become empty and poor in spirit
So the new spirit will live a blessed life and stage of union with God

Question 4

St. John further ideas

Answer 4

Stress on need to purge the soul of sin and gain victory of world flesh and devil.
Must experience two dark nights: senses and spirit
Soul empty before being purely filled

Question 5

St Teresa of Avila

Answer 5

Interior of the castle- the soul
First room- self knowledge
Central room- spiritual marriage with the divine
Emphasis- difficulty of the spiritual journey

Question 6

St. John of the cross

Answer 6

Union with God, yet God and the individual soul remains distinct
Window pane analogy
Mystical preparation is not by understanding or inner feelings but only by purity and love, total detachment from all things for the sake of God alone.