"Dark Night"

[ejp123]

What is meant by “Dark Night”?

 

[Joe_5859]

In theology, the “dark night” (or “dark night of the soul”) refers to dryness in prayer that most of us will experience. Basically, it’s a lack of spiritual consolations. It gives us the chance to grow in spiritual maturity by praying throguh an act of will rather than praying simply to receive a reward of warm, fuzzy feelings.

This is not to be confused with “Dark Knight” which is a nickname for Batman.

 

[ejp123]

In theology, the “dark night” (or “dark night of the soul”) refers to dryness in prayer that most of us will experience. Basically, it’s a lack of spiritual consolations. It gives us the chance to grow in spiritual maturity by praying throguh an act of will rather than praying simply to receive a reward of warm, fuzzy feelings.

This is not to be confused with “Dark Knight” which is a nickname for Batman.

LOL thank you

 

[in_servitude]

St. John of the Cross wrote “The Dark Night of the Soul”. It is a book that describes a poem which about the times described by the previous poster. For those that are in that place, I highly recommend his work. It is encouragement to proceed in the face of challenge.

 

[Stylites]

Very few will experience the Dark Night of the Soul, which occurs after Illumination and before Union.

 

[Samson01]

Very few will experience the Dark Night of the Soul, which occurs after Illumination and before Union.

Is this true? I would think illumination would console and last through a dark night… Does true union bring death of the body?

 

[in_servitude]

Is this true? I would think illumination would console and last through a dark night… Does true union bring death of the body?

From what I understand, and from what I think I experience, I say, “For the sake of growth, God hides His face.”

I think a model might be our own physical maturation process. At first, food and drink is given directly to the baby. Eventually, we have to work to obtain it. It is not healthy for a boy to grow into adulthood while always being spoon fed.

 

[Samson01]

From what I understand, and from what I think I experience, I say, “For the sake of growth, God hides His face.”

I think a model might be our own physical maturation process. At first, food and drink is given directly to the baby. Eventually, we have to work to obtain it. It is not healthy for a boy to grow into adulthood while always being spoon fed.

Thanks for getting back with me. Is it common to feel “judged” during a dark night? Tim

 

[in_servitude]

Thanks for getting back with me. Is it common to feel “judged” during a dark night? Tim

Hmmm… That’s an interesting question. By God? I don’t think so. By those around us? In my case, yeah - but I have no idea if that’s common. I’ve learned to rejoice when people chastise me for my faith - but that wasn’t the case a year ago.

 

[Samson01]

Hmmm… That’s an interesting question. By God? I don’t think so. By those around us? In my case, yeah - but I have no idea if that’s common. I’ve learned to rejoice when people chastise me for my faith - but that wasn’t the case a year ago.

Thanks again. I had an experience or a breakdown a few years ago and still trying to discern it. Though I have studied the subject a bit, I seem to have a mental block going on and it is hard to digest at times. Following an intervention that has been called an illumination by one SD, I felt judged by God and it through me into complete despair, even hospitalization for a few days. I still don’t know if it was guilt and my own mind dealing with things or part of the something else. I’m more concerned of not living up to a gift like the dark night than anything else. Should that be what I experienced, I don’t think I can repay the debt of grace afforded to me. It is concerning. Tim

 

[in_servitude]

Thanks again. I had an experience or a breakdown a few years ago and still trying to discern it. Though I have studied the subject a bit, I seem to have a mental block going on and it is hard to digest at times. Following an intervention that has been called an illumination by one SD, I felt judged by God and it through me into complete despair, even hospitalization for a few days. I still don’t know if it was guilt and my own mind dealing with things or part of the something else. I’m more concerned of not living up to a gift like the dark night than anything else. Should that be what I experienced, I don’t think I can repay the debt of grace afforded to me. It is concerning. Tim

My perception is that you’re walking down a very difficult road. My initial reaction to what you describe is: you need a spiritual director (if you don’t already have one). If you have one and they don’t understand this, then you need a different one.

My limited knowledge of this says that the “Dark Night” is frustrating because the graces that would flow like a river into our lives seems to dry up. And, it really isn’t the greatest experience because the graces are just so wonderfully sweet. Like a kid in the candy store, I want to eat candy nonstop. However, my best guess is that you seem to be dealing with something else. And, it is dark, but maybe not the kind of dark that the “Dark Night” is all about - if you catch my drift. That is why I beg you to get a spiritual director.

 

[Samson01]

My perception is that you’re walking down a very difficult road. My initial reaction to what you describe is: you need a spiritual director (if you don’t already have one). If you have one and they don’t understand this, then you need a different one.

My limited knowledge of this says that the “Dark Night” is frustrating because the graces that would flow like a river into our lives seems to dry up. And, it really isn’t the greatest experience because the graces are just so wonderfully sweet. Like a kid in the candy store, I want to eat candy nonstop. However, my best guess is that you seem to be dealing with something else. And, it is dark, but maybe not the kind of dark that the “Dark Night” is all about - if you catch my drift. That is why I beg you to get a spiritual director.

I have had spiritual direction in the past with mixed results. One was an Opus Dei preist, but He moved out of the area which was a stretch to begin with. Seems that SD’s will let God work in the area’s that He is active and tend to skirt the same issues for more practical applications. One priest answered me when asked why I wasn’t getting help with, “maybe they don’t know what to say”. Sd’s are very few and far between in my area and it may be difficult to find one again. My family is going to Stockbridge, MA to the Divine Mercy Shrine on Labor day weekend. I hope this will help in clarity and discernment. Either way, I feel good about going. Thanks for your help. Tim

 

[in_servitude]

I have had spiritual direction in the past with mixed results. One was an Opus Dei preist, but He moved out of the area which was a stretch to begin with. Seems that SD’s will let God work in the area’s that He is active and tend to skirt the same issues for more practical applications. One priest answered me when asked why I wasn’t getting help with, “maybe they don’t know what to say”. Sd’s are very few and far between in my area and it may be difficult to find one again. My family is going to Stockbridge, MA to the Divine Mercy Shrine on Labor day weekend. I hope this will help in clarity and discernment. Either way, I feel good about going. Thanks for your help. Tim

You’re in a very tough spot! Sorry about that. Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are solid methods to push back the hands of evil, which I’m sure you already know. You might look up prayers that request help in keeping dark forces out of your life.

spiritdaily.com/deliveranceprayer.htm ← I pray this nightly when I have the time.