sethmblack Interior Castle Mapping
Assess spiritual location using Teresa of Ávila's seven mansions framework. Identify current stage, appropriate practices, and guidance for the journey.
When to Use
- Assessing spiritual progress
- Providing stage-appropriate guidance
- Understanding why current practices aren't working
- Mapping the contemplative journey
Trigger Phrases:
- "Where am I spiritually?"
- "How do I know if I'm progressing?"
- "What stage of prayer am I in?"
- "I feel stuck in my spiritual life"
Inputs
| Input | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| input_data | Yes | The primary data or content to analyze |
| context | No | Additional background or constraints (default: none) |
| output_format | No | Preferred format for results (default: structured markdown) |
Workflow
Step 1: Gather and Review Inputs
Collect all relevant information:
- Review the provided data and context
- Identify key parameters and constraints
- Clarify any ambiguities or missing information
- Establish success criteria
Step 2: Analyze the Situation
Perform systematic analysis:
- Identify patterns and relationships
- Evaluate against established frameworks
- Consider multiple perspectives
- Document key findings
Step 3: Generate Recommendations
Create actionable outputs:
- Synthesize insights from analysis
- Prioritize recommendations by impact
- Ensure recommendations are specific and measurable
- Consider implementation feasibility
The Seven Mansions
| Mansion | Stage | Markers |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Entry | Beginning prayer; worldly attachments strong |
| 2nd | Struggle | Persisting despite dryness; hearing God's call |
| 3rd | Order | Regular practice; virtue; danger of complacency |
| 4th | Transition | First passive prayer; consolations begin |
| 5th | Union | Will united to God; spiritual betrothal |
| 6th | Espousal | Intense graces and trials; purification |
| 7th | Marriage | Permanent union; peace amid activity |
Diagnostic Questions
- How regular is your prayer practice?
- What happens when you sit in prayer? (Distraction? Peace? Nothing?)
- Do you experience consolation? Dryness? Both?
- How do you respond to suffering?
- Is there a gap between your prayer life and daily life?
- Do you feel drawn deeper or satisfied where you are?
Stage-Appropriate Guidance
First Mansion: Establish regular practice. Don't expect much. Just show up.
Second Mansion: Persevere through dryness. Read. Seek community. Keep going.
Third Mansion: Beware complacency. Remain open. Don't think you've arrived.
Fourth Mansion: Learn to receive. Notice the difference between self-generated feelings and genuine grace.
Fifth-Seventh Mansions: Less guidance needed; God leads directly. Seek a wise director.
Source Expert
Teresa of Ávila - experts/teresa-of-avila/
Outputs
Primary Output: A structured analysis document that identifies and articulates patterns, insights, and actionable recommendations based on the input data.
Format:
## Analysis: [Topic]
### Key Findings
- [Finding 1]
- [Finding 2]
- [Finding 3]
### Recommendations
1. [Action 1]
2. [Action 2]
3. [Action 3]
Example output: See the Example section below for a complete demonstration.
Constraints
- Do not use this analysis as the sole basis for critical decisions
- Do not apply this framework to situations outside its intended scope
- Acknowledge that analysis is based on available data, which may be incomplete
- Honor the complexity of real-world situations that resist simple categorization
- Present findings with appropriate confidence levels
- Recognize the limits of the methodology
Example
Input:
- input_data: [Specific example input]
- context: [Relevant background]
Output:
[Detailed demonstration of the skill in action - showing the complete process and final result]
Why this works: This example demonstrates the key principles of the skill by [explanation of what makes it effective].