St. John of the cross and mysticism

[Mgray82]

I’ve just recently sparked an interest in St. John of the cross. Is anyone familiar with him? Which of his works should I start with first? Or what should I know before I begin to study his philosophy?

I don’t know much about mysticism so this would be a first. Any help or words will be appreciated.

 

[Warandpeace]

It should be read with St Theresa of Avila. Most podcasts, books, etc. in relation to dark nights of the soul and spiritual marriage. I think Mother Theresa and St theresa of lisieux also offer insight. “Mysticism” looks different on different people so to speak.

 

[Rete]

Purchase his book Dark Night of the Soul. Study it. St. Teresa of Ávila was closely aligned with him in the Counter-Reformation and wrote another book you might enjoy titled Interior Castle.

The book is a lot more than just the poem. The most valuable aspect of Dark Night of the Soul to me is how it details all my faults. It’s quite humbling.

 

[underacloud]

St John of the Cross is a wonderful doctor of the Church, but his works are very hard to read. I have read some and am working through the others now. They are difficult. I can barely read a chapter at a time, they are so complex and challenging. I personally suggest starting elsewhere before tackling them.

“The Fulfillment of All Desire” by Ralph Martin is a great book that covers the mystical writers in great detail, but also is not as difficult to read as the works themselves. I’d read that first and then explore from there, including St John of the Cross and Theresa of Avila (especially Interior Castle) in particular, and I think the Cloudy of Unknowing and Mother Julian of Norwhich are great reads too.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

John of the Cross, even in his own time, presented unusual teachings, difficult to understand, accept and practice. Tke for example, inner silence of prayer/contemplation nad how it provides immunity from attacks from the devil be reducing the imagination and verbal thoughts to tamper with.

(See Book 3, chapter 4 :

“For the devil has no power over the soul unless it be through the operations of its faculties, principally by means of knowledge, whereupon depend almost all the other operations of the other faculties. Wherefore, if the memory be annihilated with respect to them, the devil can do naught; for he finds no foothold, and without a foothold he is powerless.”

and Chapter 6, #2
“2. In the second place, it is freed from many suggestions, temptations and motions of the devil, which he infuses into the soul by means of thoughts and ideas, causing it to fall into many impurities and sins, as David says in these words: ‘They have thought and spoken wickedness.’ And thus, when these thoughts have been completely removed, the devil has naught wherewith to assault the soul by natural means.”

pages 194-196

basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross-Ascent%20of%20Mount%20Carmel.pdf

We all find it extremely difficult to practice silence, outer and inner. Even if we do not speak we usually have that inner monologue going on except in moments of pure attention. It takes faith to get through what seems to be a negative phase befor we realize the more subtle fullness of Christ already there all the time. There are so many distractions.

 

[Mgray82]

John of the Cross, even in his own time, presented unusual teachings, difficult to understand, accept and practice. Tke for example, inner silence of prayer/contemplation nad how it provides immunity from attacks from the devil be reducing the imagination and verbal thoughts to tamper with.

(See Book 3, chapter 4 :

“For the devil has no power over the soul unless it be through the operations of its faculties, principally by means of knowledge, whereupon depend almost all the other operations of the other faculties. Wherefore, if the memory be annihilated with respect to them, the devil can do naught; for he finds no foothold, and without a foothold he is powerless.”

and Chapter 6, #2
“2. In the second place, it is freed from many suggestions, temptations and motions of the devil, which he infuses into the soul by means of thoughts and ideas, causing it to fall into many impurities and sins, as David says in these words: ‘They have thought and spoken wickedness.’ And thus, when these thoughts have been completely removed, the devil has naught wherewith to assault the soul by natural means.”

pages 194-196

basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross-Ascent%20of%20Mount%20Carmel.pdf

We all find it extremely difficult to practice silence, outer and inner. Even if we do not speak we usually have that inner monologue going on except in moments of pure attention. It takes faith to get through what seems to be a negative phase befor we realize the more subtle fullness of Christ already there all the time. There are so many distractions.

I agree with you in your last paragraph.

However, I don’t think that it wouldn’t hurt to try some of these exercises or methods that St. John is presenting. Again, I speak without reading him, so I know virtually nothing at this point.

I’m hearing that its a difficult read. A lot of mixed opinions, but something has been drawing me to him

 

[Michael_Mayo]

The on-line translation I posted is not the best. Try to find a more current one.