Dark Night of the Soul

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Someone would not boast of the dark night of the soul, especially if this soul has a spiritual director, or confessor.

It may be possible that such a soul does not have a spiritual director, and does not understand what he or she is experiencing. In that case, such a soul may be seeking for someone who would empathize, or understand what this soul is experiencing. Even then, such a soul would not brag about it. Humility is a pre-requisite for experiencing the dark night of the soul.

Although there is a similarity between a ‘burden of the Lord’, ‘spiritual birthpangs’ and the dark night of the soul. The burden,or birthpangs are more likely to reside in the central portion of the abdomen, sometimes of the heart. The dark night of the soul overtakes one’s whole inner being which oftentimes silences the outward.

Job being quiet for so many days, while his trusted friends waited for him to speak, may be an example of such.** “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and nights, and no man spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2:13)**

During this time, Job began to doubt the goodness of God. This would be an example of how doubt may enter into the discussion with the dark night of the soul.

As stated previously, the prophets of the OT may have pre-figured some of the sufferings of the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mysterium Paschale.

the peace of God be with you.
 
mercytruth said:
The dark night of the soul overtakes one’s whole inner being which oftentimes silences the outward.

Job being quiet for so many days, while his trusted friends waited for him to speak, may be an example of such.** “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and nights, and no man spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2:13)**

During this time, Job began to doubt the goodness of God. This would be an example of how doubt may enter into the discussion with the dark night of the soul.
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Thank you for your response to my questions.

Your comment about the silence brought on by grief got me thinking of two times when I was thrust into silence through suffering: when my best friend committed suicide in college, and when my father died (the two deaths were separated by some 20 years!).

Both times I found my peace in silence and retreat from the world. But I don’t remember having any doubts about God’s presence or goodness during those times. In fact, both periods seemed to be quite grace-filled, precisely because I fled from activity and no more than necessary social contact.

I guess my point is that the silence brought on by those griefs seemed the exact opposite of the dark night, in that Our Lord’s presence was so keenly felt. I suppose what I experienced in those times was simple and ordinary (albeit painful) grief 🤷

Anyway, personally, I am just barely beginning with my “ascent” as St. John calls it. I am struggling even to want to surrender to the night of the senses. I’ve just begun reading Book Two of The Ascent of Mt Carmel – it’s all about the darkness of the intellect, moving on by faith alone. It is such as awesome read!

Gertie
 
Gertabelle said:
Thank you for your response to my questions.

Your comment about the silence brought on by grief got me thinking of two times when I was thrust into silence through suffering: when my best friend committed suicide in college, and when my father died (the two deaths were separated by some 20 years!).

Both times I found my peace in silence and retreat from the world. But I don’t remember having any doubts about God’s presence or goodness during those times. In fact, both periods seemed to be quite grace-filled, precisely because I fled from activity and no more than necessary social contact.

I guess my point is that the silence brought on by those griefs seemed the exact opposite of the dark night, in that Our Lord’s presence was so keenly felt. I suppose what I experienced in those times was simple and ordinary (albeit painful) grief 🤷

Anyway, personally, I am just barely beginning with my “ascent” as St. John calls it. I am struggling even to want to surrender to the night of the senses. I’ve just begun reading Book Two of The Ascent of Mt Carmel – it’s all about the darkness of the intellect, moving on by faith alone. It is such as awesome read!

Gertie
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Yes, these are very good examples of that which is analagous to the dark night of the soul. It is the overwhelming feeling of loss…without the consolation of the Lord’s presence. A consolation which our Lord does give to us during the time of the loss of a loved one. Consolations which he give us during trials and tribulations, for He empathizes with our sufferings.

In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9.
 
If only Holy Communion helps and its consolation fades within hours, and you know you are in a state of grace because you went to confession first, then it probably is the dark night of the soul…

Pray, pray, pray. Weep, mourn, LAMENT. Then pray some more. Read your bible. Journal. Go to confession. Trust God. Talk to him because others WILL not understand unless they have been there too and most people do not have this kind of experience. But some of us do. I’ve learned the hard way that often the people we love most are going to be the least understanding and some have actually been jealous and persecutory. Get a spiritual advisor and go to confession often. Sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration or partner with someone during their hour.

It is my personal opinion that this kind of experience is a gift of God given to his close personal friends, though when you’re in the thick of it, it hardly feels that way.
 
hazcompat said:
The dark night is the suspension of time in a locution.

peace
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The Dark Night has nothig to do with locutions. In the Dark Night a person would feel a total absence of God so why would they experience a locution from God, which is a consolation from God and a manifestation of His presence?
 
Joannm said:
The Dark Night has nothig to do with locutions. In the Dark Night a person would feel a total absence of God so why would they experience a locution from God, which is a consolation from God and a manifestation of His presence?
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  1. The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
    With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my
    senses to be suspended
He is present.

peace
 
hazcompat said:
  1. The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
    With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my
    senses to be suspended
He is present.

peace
Click to expand...
This does not speak of locutions. The poem speaks of what Teresa terms Mystical Marriage or perfect union with God. A locution is an inner word from God or from Mary or a saint. You are fully aware of it when you receive it. A person in the Dark Night has no expereince of God that they are aware of.
 
Joannm said:
This does not speak of locutions. The poem speaks of what Teresa terms Mystical Marriage or perfect union with God. A locution is an inner word from God or from Mary or a saint. You are fully aware of it when you receive it. A person in the Dark Night has no expereince of God that they are aware of.
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“INTO this dark night souls begin to enter when God draws them forth from the
state of beginners—which is the state of those that meditate on the spiritual road—
and begins to set them in the state of progressives—which is that of those who are
already contemplatives—to the end that, after passing through it, they may arrive
at the state of the perfect, which is that of the Divine union of the soul with God”

they are already far along…yes they do.

peace
 
hazcompat said:
“INTO this dark night souls begin to enter when God draws them forth from the
state of beginners—which is the state of those that meditate on the spiritual road—
and begins to set them in the state of progressives—which is that of those who are
already contemplatives—to the end that, after passing through it, they may arrive
at the state of the perfect, which is that of the Divine union of the soul with God”

they are already far along…yes they do.

peace
Click to expand...
You are quoting from the first stanza of the manuscript, Dark Night, author unknown.

Much later, this is written of the dark night:

**Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a beginning is made of the explanation of this dark night.

THIS night, which, as we say, is contemplation, produces in spiritual persons two kinds of darkness or purgation, corresponding to the two parts of man’s nature—namely, the sensual and the spiritual. And thus the one night or purgation will be sensual, wherein the soul is purged according to sense, which is subdued to the spirit; and the other is a night or purgation which is spiritual, wherein the soul is purged and stripped according to the spirit, and subdued and made ready for the union of love with God. The night of sense is common and comes to many: these are the beginners; and of this night we shall speak first. The night of the spirit is the portion of very few, and these are they that are already practised and proficient, of whom we shall treat hereafter.
  1. The first purgation or night is bitter and terrible to sense, as we shall now show.5858[Lit., ’say.’] The second bears no comparison with it, for it is horrible and awful to the spirit, as we shall show5959[Lit., ’say.’] presently. Since the night of sense is first in order and comes first, we shall first of all say something about it briefly, since more is written of it, as of a thing that is more common; and we shall pass on to treat more fully of the spiritual night, since very little has been said of this, either in speech6060[plática: the word is frequently used in Spanish to denote an informal sermon or address.] or in writing, and very little is known of it, even by experience. **
ccel.org/ccel/john_cross/dark_night.v.html
 
mercytruth said:
You are quoting from the first stanza of the manuscript, Dark Night, author unknown.

Much later, this is written of the dark night:

**Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a beginning is made of the explanation of this dark night.

THIS night, which, as we say, is contemplation, produces in spiritual persons two kinds of darkness or purgation, corresponding to the two parts of man’s nature—namely, the sensual and the spiritual. And thus the one night or purgation will be sensual, wherein the soul is purged according to sense, which is subdued to the spirit; and the other is a night or purgation which is spiritual, wherein the soul is purged and stripped according to the spirit, and subdued and made ready for the union of love with God. The night of sense is common and comes to many: these are the beginners; and of this night we shall speak first. The night of the spirit is the portion of very few, and these are they that are already practised and proficient, of whom we shall treat hereafter.
  1. The first purgation or night is bitter and terrible to sense, as we shall now show.5858[Lit., ’say.’] The second bears no comparison with it, for it is horrible and awful to the spirit, as we shall show5959[Lit., ’say.’] presently. Since the night of sense is first in order and comes first, we shall first of all say something about it briefly, since more is written of it, as of a thing that is more common; and we shall pass on to treat more fully of the spiritual night, since very little has been said of this, either in speech6060[plática: the word is frequently used in Spanish to denote an informal sermon or address.] or in writing, and very little is known of it, even by experience. **
ccel.org/ccel/john_cross/dark_night.v.html
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The author is San Juan de la Cruz, why do you claim the author is unknown?
 
Joannm said:
Are you suggesting that the poem was not written by John of the Cross?
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Actually, I am too ignorant to know who wrote the poem. I have not read anything (or very little) by St. Theresa of Avila, or by St. John of the Cross. So, if the consesus is that St. John of the Cross wrote this poem, it would be very stupid of me to think otherwise.

I have read of the experiences of St. Faustina, of St. Therese of Liseuax, Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and others. I have been assuming that these blessed saints went through the dark night of the soul.

God’s peace.
 
Dakota_Roberts said:
The author is San Juan de la Cruz, why do you claim the author is unknown?
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I have walked into the unknown. I was merely advocating the views of the website.

Thanks for this information, maybe I should become more informed.

God’s peace.
 
The poem is the entire basis for the two works of John of the Cross. The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and The Dark Night of the Soul. John is considered one of the greatest of Spanish poets.He is also considered the Mystical Doctor of the Church.

You are correct Therese (for a short time) and Mother Theresa (for 50 years) experienced the Dark Night. I’m not sure about Faustina.
 
mercytruth said:
**Someone would not boast of the dark night of the soul, especially if this soul has a spiritual director, or confessor.
**
It may be possible that such a soul does not have a spiritual director, and does not understand what he or she is experiencing. In that case, such a soul may be seeking for someone who would empathize, or understand what this soul is experiencing. Even then, such a soul would not brag about it. Humility is a pre-requisite for experiencing the dark night of the soul.

Although there is a similarity between a ‘burden of the Lord’, ‘spiritual birthpangs’ and the dark night of the soul. The burden,or birthpangs are more likely to reside in the central portion of the abdomen, sometimes of the heart. The dark night of the soul overtakes one’s whole inner being which oftentimes silences the outward.

Job being quiet for so many days, while his trusted friends waited for him to speak, may be an example of such.** “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and nights, and no man spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2:13)**

During this time, Job began to doubt the goodness of God. This would be an example of how doubt may enter into the discussion with the dark night of the soul.

As stated previously, the prophets of the OT may have pre-figured some of the sufferings of the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mysterium Paschale.

the peace of God be with you.
Click to expand...
Could someone who had the Dark Night be tempted to boast about it?
 
Inquiringperson said:
Could someone who had the Dark Night be tempted to boast about it?
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First of all, let me say, that for the first time, I have been reading the exposition of the Dark Night by St. John of the Cross. I was not aware that there were two dark nights of the soul: one of the senses, and one of the spirit.

It is the one of the spirit that I assumed we were speaking. If one has been through the dark night of the senses of the soul, then I suppose one could be tempted to boast about it. It is best not to pursue that which feeds spiritual pride.

From what I have read of St. John of the Cross, it would seem to me that every spiritual director would do well to be familiar with his exposition of the dark night. It seems to cover all the bases, and should be an absolutely wonderful source.

God’s peace to you.
 
Joannm said:
The poem is the entire basis for the two works of John of the Cross. The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and The Dark Night of the Soul. John is considered one of the greatest of Spanish poets.He is also considered the Mystical Doctor of the Church.

You are correct Therese (for a short time) and Mother Theresa (for 50 years) experienced the Dark Night. I’m not sure about Faustina.
Click to expand...
From what I have read of the exposition of the Dark Night, St. John of the Cross from my limited reading, is the greatest Mystical Doctor of the Church.

God’s peace.
 
mercytruth said:
First of all, let me say, that for the first time, I have been reading the exposition of the Dark Night by St. John of the Cross. I was not aware that there were two dark nights of the soul: one of the senses, and one of the spirit.

It is the one of the spirit that I assumed we were speaking. If one has been through the dark night of the senses of the soul, then I suppose one could be tempted to boast about it. It is best not to pursue that which feeds spiritual pride.

From what I have read of St. John of the Cross, it would seem to me that every spiritual director would do well to be familiar with his exposition of the dark night. It seems to cover all the bases, and should be an absolutely wonderful source.

God’s peace to you.
Click to expand...
What is the Dark Night of the spirit?
 
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