Interior Castle Mapping

---
name: interior-castle-mapping
description: Assess spiritual location using Teresa of Ávila's seven mansions framework. Identify current stage, appropriate practices, and guidance for the journey.
license: MIT
metadata:
  version: 1.0.4246
  author: sethmblack
repository: https://github.com/sethmblack/paks-skills
keywords:
- interior-castle-mapping
- writing
---

# 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

1. How regular is your prayer practice?
2. What happens when you sit in prayer? (Distraction? Peace? Nothing?)
3. Do you experience consolation? Dryness? Both?
4. How do you respond to suffering?
5. Is there a gap between your prayer life and daily life?
6. 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:**
```markdown
## 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].