Ack! That’s an OK “dictionary” definition, but if you truly want to understand what it means, I strongly recommend buying “The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross”, ICS Publications, ISBN 0-935216-14-6. It’s an inexpensive book, costing $18.95, but is packed with 700+ pages of contemplative treasures, descriptions of various stages of contemplative prayer, tips for avoiding certain spiritual “traps”, and some truly moving poetry, to name a few items you’ll find in there. I can honestly say, next to the Bible, this book has had the most influence on my life to date, and if you feel you might be moving through some “Dark Night” yourself, it’s a book you really shouldn’t be without.
Mike
P.S. I think things like the “Dark Night” really have to be experienced to be understood. It’s like asking me what a watermelon tastes like if you’ve never had one. No description I can give you is adequate. However, John comes as close as anyone I’ve read to describing it, and his advice for working through it and with it is priceless. Of course, everyone’s experience is a little different.