Now it is time to think about those people who enter the second mansion, those who have already begun to practise prayer on a regular basis, and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd speaking within them. If they cannot do his will immediately at least they are conscious of his call and its sweetness.

God doesn't speak with us directlyat this point. Rather, God speaks to us through the conversation of good friends, through sermons, through reading good books, and other indirect ways.

Another way God speaks is through the trials and difficulties that we encounter in daily life, or by means of the truths that come to us when we meditate on the things of God when we are at prayer.

What matters is to have great desires and aim high, even though we cannot manage to do as much as we might like. We have just got to be resolute and take no notice of temptations to turn back to an easier life.

Put reason to work, and tell yourself that everything is passing and not worth much in the end. After all, death comes to us all at some point, of that we can be sure; and then what will material goods and worldly fame matter?

The prodigal son in a far country was so hungry he was willing to eat pig swill, and yet if he had never left home, he could have had all the food he wanted in his father's house. So don't be tempted to wander away from this mansion - you won't find anything worth having elsewhere.

It helps to make friends with people who are living good lives and walking along the same path you wish to travel. That will give you the incentive to keep going.

Be firmly resolved not to give up. The devil doesn't like those who have their minds made up and refuse to budge from the way they think right.

I want to make clear that to start praying by looking for all kinds of fine feelings and "favours" from God is not the way to dig strong and lasting foundations. Feelings come and go, and can never be depended upon.

What we must do is prepare ourselves to accept whatever God wants to give us, whether in prayer or in life.

Doing God's will is what counts, not trying to make God do our will. That is a recipe for disaster.

But if we should fall from time to time, don't lose heart. God can bring good out of bad, if only we are open to make the most of our mistakes.

We all want peace, but unless we have peace in our own house, it is useless to seek it elsewhere. Only Christ gives true peace, and that isn't necessarily ease and easy-goingness, though we might like to think so.

Resolve to do the hard things with love. Embrace the cross. This will enable you to fight with greater resolve and attain the peace won by the blood of Christ.

If necessary, seek advice from those more experienced than you are.

And keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the way to the Father. He is your true friend. He is the companion of your life and your prayer. With him beside you, you cannot go astray.

This is the third of four edited extracts from Travelling Inwards: St Teresa's Interior Castle for everyone by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard, published by New City at £5.95 (CT Bookshop £5.35); 978-1-905039-21-0.