Chapter 06
Two Fountains of Inner Peace
CONTINUES THE SAME SUBJECT, EXPLAINING BY A COMPARISON IN WHAT DIVINE CONSOLATIONS CONSIST: AND HOW WE OUGHT TO TRY TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO RECEIVE THEM, WITHOUT ENDEAVOURING TO OBTAIN THEM. 1. Physical results of sensible devotion. 2. Effects of divine consolations. 3. The two fountains. 4. They symbolize two kinds of prayer. 5. Divine consolations shared by body and soul. 6. The incense within the soul. 7. Graces received in this prayer. 8. Such favours not to be sought after. 1. GOD help me! how I have wandered from my subject! I forget what I was speaking about, for my…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"let us imagine we see two fountains with basins which fill with water."
Context: Introducing the central metaphor for two kinds of prayer
Visual comparison makes supernatural and natural devotion distinguishable.
In Today's Words:
Teresa asks us to picture two fountains filling basins in different ways. One needs pipes and machinery; one rises straight from the source. Use the image when you wonder whether peace came from effort or gift. Carry that insight into one concrete choice before the day ends.
"The water running through the aqueducts resembles sensible devotion, which is obtained by meditation."
Context: Explaining prayer earned through meditation
Effort-based devotion is valid but not identical to infused consolation.
In Today's Words:
Teresa says aqueduct water resembles sensible devotion gained by thinking, working, and meditating on created things. It helps the soul yet still depends on your labor. Honor the effort without calling it the spring. Carry that insight into one concrete choice before the day ends.
"This joy is not, like earthly happiness, at once felt by the heart; after gradually filling it to the brim, the delight overflows throughout all the mansions and faculties, until at last it reaches the body."
Context: Describing how divine consolation spreads through the soul
God's joy begins deeper than ordinary emotion and gradually overflows.
In Today's Words:
Teresa says this joy does not hit the heart immediately like earthly happiness. It starts in deeper ground and slowly fills faculties and even the body. Do not dismiss an experience because it was subtle at first. Carry that insight into one concrete choice before the day ends.
"humility, humility! for God lets Himself be vanquished by this and grants us all we ask."
Context: Counsel on receiving consolations without chasing them
Humility opens the soul; pride blocks the spring.
In Today's Words:
Teresa repeats humility because God yields to it and grants what we ask when pride would choke the spring. Make no efforts to acquire consolations; prepare by loving without self-interest. Let God decide when water flows. Carry that insight into one concrete choice before the day ends.
Thematic Threads
Effort vs Grace
In This Chapter
Teresa contrasts mechanical effort (the piped fountain) with effortless abundance (the natural spring)
Development
Introduced here as central teaching method
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in relationships where trying too hard pushes people away, while genuine care draws them closer.
Humility
In This Chapter
She advocates not thinking we deserve special treatment and focusing on serving others rather than seeking consolation
Development
Introduced here as key to receiving gifts
In Your Life:
You might see this when expecting praise for good work backfires, but helping without expectation brings unexpected recognition.
Class
In This Chapter
Teresa admits her poor memory and disconnected thoughts, making wisdom accessible rather than elite
Development
Introduced here through vulnerable self-disclosure
In Your Life:
You might feel your own 'imperfect' communication style disqualifies you from sharing valuable insights with others.
Acceptance
In This Chapter
She emphasizes we can live meaningful lives without extraordinary experiences, but they transform us when they come
Development
Introduced here as foundation for spiritual growth
In Your Life:
You might struggle with feeling like your ordinary life isn't enough compared to others' highlight reels on social media.
Inner Authority
In This Chapter
Teresa describes profound peace and solutions that come from within rather than external sources
Development
Introduced here as alternative to external validation
In Your Life:
You might notice your best decisions come during quiet moments rather than when you're frantically researching options.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
How do Teresa's two fountains clarify the difference between sensible devotion and divine consolations?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Aqueduct water comes through our meditation and labor; spring water flows directly from God with quiet peace that dilates the whole soul.
- 2
Why does Teresa say we should make no efforts to acquire consolations?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Chasing them breeds self-interest and pride; God gives this water when He chooses, often when the soul is least striving to obtain it.
- 3
When have you treated an inner experience like a score you had to repeat?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Name the practice, the feeling you wanted back, and what you did when it did not return on demand.
- 4
What does Teresa mean by the interior brazier releasing fragrance?
analysis • deepOne way to read it
The soul senses God's nearness as subtle warmth and sweetness deeper than physical sensation, beginning in the center and spreading outward.
- 5
How could humility change your response when prayer feels dry this week?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Stop grading the session; continue love and obedience, trusting dryness is not proof God has withdrawn.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Two Fountains
Draw two columns on paper. In the left column, list times when you've tried to force or chase something you wanted - a relationship, job opportunity, feeling better, or solving a problem. In the right column, list times when good things came naturally while you were focused on something else. Look for patterns in both columns.
Consider:
- •Notice what your energy felt like in each situation - desperate and grasping versus calm and focused
- •Consider what you were actually doing when the 'natural' good things happened
- •Think about which approach led to more sustainable, lasting results
Journaling Prompt
Write about one area of your life where you've been using 'pipes and machinery' (forcing, strategizing, pushing) when you might benefit from the 'direct source' approach (focusing on process, serving others, letting results emerge). What would it look like to shift your approach?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 7: The Shepherd's Call Within
Next Teresa describes the prayer of recollection, where God gathers the scattered faculties inward like a shepherd calling lost sheep home before deeper consolations arrive.
