When Visions Come: Truth from Illusion — The Interior Castle

Teresa turns to imaginary visions, which the devil can counterfeit more easily than other favors. She distinguishes false from genuine visions by effects: humility, peace, love of virtues, and obedience. Souls must not desire visions out of curiosity or vanity; humility should make us undeserving of what we have not earned. When visions occur, consult a confessor; watch whether humility and virtues grow, for Satan soon shows scorn if he is involved.

Teresa describes how imaginary visions impress the memory like paintings, sometimes lasting years, and may include Christ, Mary, or saints in forms the soul recognizes. Genuine visions strengthen faith and service; false ones disturb the mind, feed self-esteem, and fade without fruit. She warns against repeating visions for applause or believing every interior picture is divine.

Even great favors demand secrecy, mortification, and return to ordinary duties. The chapter equips readers to rejoice cautiously, test fruits, and prefer the hard work of virtue over spectacular interior shows that leave the soul hungry for more attention rather than more God. Teresa would rather souls never see a vision than become proud of one, for the safest path remains obedience, mortification, and love of neighbor when wonders fade and only daily fidelity remains.