To read the original text online I have created a weblink so you don’t have to download it. 🔗St. John Dark Night Of The Soul
ST JOHN OF THE CROSS OVERVIEW
St. John of the Cross was not only a Spanish mystic from the Middle Ages but also a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. He was a Carmelite friar and a close friend of St. Teresa of Avila, another mystic and reformer of the Church.
However, his views and teachings were not always well-received by the Church authorities, and he was eventually captured and tortured for his beliefs.
During his imprisonment, St. John of the Cross experienced a profound spiritual crisis, which he later described as the “night of the soul.” This phrase has since become interchangeable with a period of severe spiritual struggle and doubt, often characterized by a feeling of desertion by God.
Despite his suffering, St. John of the Cross continued to write and teach, and his works profoundly influenced Christian spirituality. His most famous work, “The Dark Night of the Soul,” is a poetic and philosophical exploration of the nature of God and the human soul and has been praised for its profound insights into the mysteries of faith. Today, St. John of the Cross is recognized as one of the greatest mystics and spiritual writers in the Christian tradition. His teachings continue to inspire and challenge believers worldwide.
“In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but on how well we have loved.” – John of the Cross
He coined a phrase to depict a moment when a person confronts agonizing trials that shake the core of their being.
My Experience
I have some firsthand experience with existence and consciousness. Nothing is more devastating than realizing what you thought you had was never really yours, leaving you at square one. It feels like death. Rebuilding is excruciating, especially with unsympathetic people around you who aren’t self-aware enough to care. During a dark night of the soul, escape and hopelessness can seem impossible.
Don’t lose hope in the dark night. It’s not punishment, it’s just the start of something new.
A DARK NIGHT CALLS YOU IN TO CHANGE
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies”(2 Cor. 4:7–10)
The dark night doesn’t just call for a reassessment, it forces you to question everything – who you are, what you know, and what you have. You may find that material possessions mean nothing at all.
I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things. “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it. Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Isaiah 45:7–9
The dark night of the soul can be a spiritual death, leading some to resort to suicide. However, for those who endure, it can be a doorway to a freer, more self-realized existence with a stronger faith and clearer understanding of sin.
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber… The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep… Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. John 10:1,2,7
To navigate the dark night of the soul, one must persist and surrender. It’s akin to being “baptized in fire” as Scripture suggests – either we are consumed or refined, with no other options. There’s no sugar-coating or avoiding this experience, and even finding the strength to try can be a challenge. The only way to move forward is to go through it, or risk being stuck in it indefinitely.
Questions To Ask Yourself If You Are Experiencing A Dark Night Of The Soul
What subjective beliefs do you hold about life? What entitlements do you feel? What surface beliefs and personas do you identify with that may not align with your core self? What beliefs do you fear questioning because they conflict with your support system?
The Enigmatic Allure of a Dark Night
The allure of a dark night beckons you to delve into the depths of life and access profound wisdom. It challenges you to tap into the Mind of God and rely solely on the Word of God, all by the Will of God. From the darkness, you have the opportunity to catch a tiny glimpse of the incredible feat that God accomplished over the face of the deep. It’s mind-boggling to fathom how God, through the Power of His Word, created something out of nothing and declared it GOOD. Even the mere prospect of a dark night can make us shed our skin and leap into the unknown.
