Kingdom of Mansoul

What is the “KINGDOM OF MANSOUL”?

Have you ever wondered how your will, desires, appetites, imagination, and soul interact? Or perhaps you’ve wondered how you can help your child gain more self-control or grow in character?

This is what Charlotte Mason’s volume “Ourselves” is all about. It is brilliant. The Lord truly gave her insight into the inner workings of our heart, soul, mind, and body.

Miss Mason’s 4th volume in her 6 volume series was written for students, but I think it’s a must-read for every parent as well. In fact, everyone should read this. It is comprised of two books: (1) self-knowledge, and (2) self-direction. And in them , she speaks of 4 main “Houses:” (1) House of Body, (2) House of Mind, (3) House of Heart, and (4) House of Soul.

Let’s start off with the diagram of the Kingdom of Mansoul I see in my mind. (Miss Mason was inspired to use this concept of “Mansoul” from John Bunyan.) I hope it will be a helpful visual. Then, I’ll give a quick summary of the main parts so you’ll be ready to help guide your child through this book for the Citizenship lesson.

KINGDOM OF MANSOUL DIAGRAM

On the left, you’ll notice I put the “Outer Courts,” which is composed of the “House of Body” and the “House of Mind.” Then, the “Holy Place” composed of the “House of Heart,” and finally, the Holy of Holies where our “House of Soul” dwells. King Jesus is enthroned there. Miss Mason speaks of this movement from the “Outer Courts” to the “Holy Place” and then to the “Holy of Holies” in Book II, but I included it here because it gives a sense of reverence and an inward/upward movement. I am reminded of C.S.Lewis words, “Further up and further in.”

BOOK 1: SELF-KNOWLEDGE

PART I. HOUSE OF BODY: Sustained by the 4 appetites, and the 5 senses which connect the body and mind. Miss Mason discusses what they are, their roles and their “daemon” counterparts, such as gluttony, drunkennes, and sloth.

PART II. HOUSE OF MIND: Consists of the Intellect, Reason, Aesthetic Sense (a.k.a. beauty sense), Imagination, and the 6 natural desires. Knowledge is highlighted in the diagram since it is this natural desire in children Miss Mason discusses frequently in her volumes. The fallibility of Reason is touched upon. Finally, Miss Mason discusses the dangers of the natural desires and their counterpart “daemons” if they should grow stronger than Will, such as vanity, fame/infamy, unworthy pursuits, avarice, etc.

PART III. HOUSE OF HEART: Where Love and Justice dwell. Miss Mason discusses their various forms or “Lords in Waiting,” as well as their counterfeits, such as self-love, philandering, self-pity, lying, etc. Botticelli’s Calumny painting is discussed.

PART IV. VOCATION: the Habit of Usefulness, being ready, willing, and prepared for our call from God.

BOOK 2: SELF-DIRECTION

PART I. CONSCIENCE

1. CONSCIENCE IN THE HOUSE OF BODY: Temperance, Chastity, Fortitude (Botticelli’s Fortitude painting is discussed), and Prudence.

2. CONSCIENCE IN THE HOUSE OF MIND: Opinion, Moral Judgments; Instructors of Conscience include: Poetry, Novels, Essays, History, Philosophy, Theology (the divine method), Nature, Science, Art, and Sociology.

3. THE FUNCTION OF CONSCIENCE: (1) Conviction of sin; (2) Awareness of temptation; and (3) Acknowledgment of right and wrong.

PART II. THE WILL

(1) The Will-less life; (2) Wilfulness; (3) Influences upon the Will; (4) Choosing between ideas; (5) Scope of Will; (6) Self-absorption; (7) Decisions, choosing between opinions and principles; (8) Will appropriates ideas; (9) “watch and pray”; (10) Summary and Free Will.

PART III. THE SOUL

(1) Capacities; (2) Disabilities; (3) Knowledge of God; (4) Prayer; (5) Thanksgiving; (6) Praise; (7) Faith in God.

Fearfully and wonderfully made

You will leave with a clearer understanding of how “fearfully and wonderfully made” you are.

When I read Psalm 139, I usually think of the wondrous ways the human body works. But reading “Ourselves” made me dwell deeper upon the intricacies of our inner world. I am also reminded of how, when we live in the “middle voice” of participating in God’s gracious work of sanctification in our minds, hearts, and souls, we can indeed be clothed with the “mind of Christ,” and live a life worthy of our calling in Christ. Right where we are in our homes. Every single day.

You, dear friend, and your child, are indeed “fearfully and wonderfull made,” and together we reflect the image of our Beautiful, Holy, Majestic God.

Now that you have had a brief overview of this volume, are you excited to include the reading of “Ourselves” for your child or for yourself?

Finally, for the audio version, whether for yourself or your child, search for “CHARLOTTE MASON’S VOLUMES” on your favorite PODCAST app.

I’ll eventually have all of the volumes recorded on there for you – convenient, easy to access, and free. I hope Miss Mason’s wisdom and insights bless you as much as they have blessed me and our home, friend.

For the King and His kids,

Min

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