Episode 1703: The Ascent of Mount Carmel - Book 2

The Ascent of Mt Carmel by St John of the Cross - Book 2:

Focus: The Dark Night of the Senses, a period of spiritual dryness and detachment from worldly things.
Theme: Purification of the senses and faculties from attachment to external appearances and consolations.
Key Points:
The soul experiences aridity and a lack of spiritual feeling.
Nature of the experience:

Dryness: It's often described as a dryness in the soul, a sense of parchedness and lack of inner joy or sweetness.
Silence: There may be a sense of silence and absence of God, as if there is no response to prayer or spiritual longing.
Darkness: St. John also uses the image of darkness, representing a feeling of confusion and lack of understanding of what is happening in the soul.
Desolation: This aridity can be accompanied by feelings of desolation, depression, and even despair.
Reasons for the experience:

Purification: St. John sees this experience as necessary for spiritual purification. By stripping away consolations and attachments, the soul is cleansed of anything that could hinder its union with God.
Faith: He emphasizes that this period is meant to deepen faith and trust in God, even when it feels hidden. It teaches the soul to rely on God's love not through feelings, but through faith and obedience.
Humility: The experience of aridity can also lead to humility, as the soul realizes its own weakness and dependence on God's grace.

Length and intensity:
The Dark Night of the Senses can vary in length and intensity from person to person. Some may experience it briefly, while others may go through extended periods of aridity.
It's important not to mistake ordinary distractions or dryness in prayer for the Dark Night. This experience is typically much deeper and more intense, often accompanied by spiritual anxieties and a sense of being lost.
Guidance for navigating the experience:

St. John offers practical advice for navigating the Dark Night. He encourages perseverance in prayer, even when it feels difficult or unproductive.
He emphasizes the importance of obedience to spiritual directors and guidance, especially during this challenging time.
Trust in God's unseen work is crucial. Even though it feels like nothing is happening, God is actively purifying the soul and preparing it for deeper union.
Additionally:

Some scholars distinguish between the Dark Night of the Senses and the later Dark Night of the Soul, which involves a deeper purification of the intellect and will.
It's important to remember that the Dark Night is ultimately a period of grace and a sign of God's transformative work in the soul.

This aridity is necessary to detach the soul from its dependence on created things.
1. Attachment to Consolations:

Our natural tendency is to find comfort and joy in external things, including spiritual consolations like feelings of devotion, peace, or mystical experiences.
While these experiences can be beneficial, St. John argues that they can also become a source of attachment and hinder our growth towards God.
The soul becomes dependent on these consolations for its spiritual satisfaction, creating a kind of subtle self-reliance.
2. Aridity as a Disruption:

The Dark Night of the Senses disrupts this attachment by withdrawing these spiritual consolations.
The soul experiences aridity, dryness, and a sense of spiritual emptiness.
This can be a painful and confusing experience, but it serves as a wake-up call to the soul's dependence on created things.
3. Forced Detachment:

Deprived of external sources of satisfaction, the soul is forced to turn inwards and search for God in a deeper way.
This process leads to a gradual detachment from worldly desires and attachments.
The soul learns to find its center and source of joy in God alone, not in fleeting experiences or consolations.
4. Purification and Growth:
Through this detachment, the soul undergoes a necessary process of purification.
It sheds its self-centeredness and unhealthy attachments, making space for a deeper and more genuine relationship with God.
This aridity becomes a fertile ground for the growth of virtues like humility, faith, and trust in God's hidden presence.
5. Deeper Surrender:

Ultimately, the experience of aridity leads to a more complete surrender to God's will.
The soul learns to let go of its own wants and desires and embrace God's loving purpose, even when it feels obscure or painful.
Important Points:

Aridity doesn't imply God's absence; it's a work of God's grace, preparing the soul for a deeper union.
Trust and perseverance are crucial during this challenging time.
The Dark Night is not an end goal but a stepping stone on the path towards mystical union with God.
Remember, St. John doesn't advocate for actively seeking aridity. It's a God-given experience that comes and goes as part of the spiritual journey. However, understanding its purpose can help us navigate it with patience, acceptance, and ultimately, a deeper reliance on God's love.
St. John describes various forms of the Dark Night, including intellectual doubts and spiritual anxieties.

Certainly! St. John of the Cross delves into various forms of the Dark Night, including intellectual doubts and spiritual anxieties, offering a nuanced understanding of this complex spiritual phenomenon. Here's a closer look:

Intellectual Doubts:

St. John describes how spiritual aridity can manifest as intellectual doubts regarding the existence of God, the validity of faith, or the meaning of one's own spiritual experiences.
These doubts can be particularly tormenting, as they strike at the very foundation of a person's belief system.
He emphasizes that these doubts are not necessarily a sign of a weak faith; they can arise from the purification process, as the soul grapples with its own limitations and seeks a deeper understanding of God beyond intellectual concepts.
He advises against engaging in logical debates or trying to dispel these doubts through intellectual means. Instead, he encourages surrender to God, trust in faith, and perseverance in prayer.
Spiritual Anxieties:

The Dark Night can also bring about various spiritual anxieties, including:
Fear of damnation: St. John identifies the fear of falling from God's grace or going to hell as a common anxiety during this period. He assures us that God's love and mercy are always present, even in the midst of darkness.
Fear of failure: The feeling of not progressing in one's spiritual journey or even regressing can cause anxiety and a sense of despair. St. John reminds us that spiritual growth is not always linear; times of dryness and darkness are part of the path towards union with God.
Scrupulosity: Excessive worry about sin and guilt can also be a manifestation of the Dark Night. St. John stresses the importance of spiritual direction and trusting God's mercy over self-flagellation.

Distinguishing Forms:
It's important to differentiate between intellectual doubts and anxieties arising from the Dark Night and those stemming from external factors like mental illness or life stresses.
Spiritual anxieties during the Dark Night are typically accompanied by a deep desire for God and a commitment to the spiritual life, even amidst the struggles.
Guidance and Hope:

St. John offers guidance for navigating these complex forms of the Dark Night. He emphasizes:
Humility: Recognizing one's own limitations and dependence on God's grace.
Prayer: Persevering in prayer, even when it feels dry and unproductive.
Spiritual direction: Seeking guidance and support from a trusted spiritual director.
Hope: Trusting that God is working through these experiences, even if their purpose is unclear.
Remember, the Dark Night, with its various forms, is not a permanent state but a stage in the journey towards deeper union with God. By understanding its complexities and embracing it with patience and trust, we can emerge from it with a more refined faith and a closer relationship with the divine.
He offers guidance on how to persevere through this difficult period through prayer, obedience, and trust in God's hidden work.
Prayer:

While prayer might feel dry and unproductive during the Dark Night, St. John emphasizes its importance. He encourages a shift from seeking consolations in prayer to surrendering to God's will, offering prayers of faith, adoration, and abandonment.
He recommends simple, contemplative prayer practices like centering prayer or silent meditation. These practices help the soul rest in God's presence, even when it feels hidden.
He advises against giving up prayer or trying to force spiritual experiences. Perseverance in prayer, even without apparent results, is a form of surrender and trust in God's timing.
Obedience:

In the Dark Night, our natural tendency might be to seek relief by abandoning spiritual practices or seeking solace in worldly things. St. John advocates for obedience to spiritual guidance and disciplines during this time.
This obedience is not about blind submission but about trusting the wisdom of a spiritual director who can offer support and discernment during this confusing period.
Obeying the established spiritual practices, even when they feel unfruitful, helps maintain a structure and connection to God, preventing the soul from spiraling into despair.
Trust in God's hidden work:

The most crucial aspect of persevering through the Dark Night is trusting in God's hidden work. St. John reminds us that God is always present, even when we feel abandoned or lost.
He emphasizes that the aridity and darkness are not punishments but part of God's loving purification process. By stripping away earthly attachments, God prepares the soul for a deeper and more genuine union with himself.
Trusting in God's hidden work doesn't mean passively accepting our suffering. It requires active surrender, patience, and a willingness to believe that even in the darkness, God is leading us towards growth and transformation.
Combining these elements:

Prayer nourishes the soul with God's grace, obedience provides structure and support, and trust in God's hidden work sustains hope and prevents despair. These three pillars work together to help us navigate the Dark Night with courage and faith.
Remember, the Dark Night is not a permanent state. By embracing these practices and clinging to trust in God's love, we can emerge from it with a purified soul and a more profound understanding of th.e divine
The Dark Night ultimately leads to a deeper state of faith and spiritual maturity.
St. John of the Cross, a towering figure in Christian mysticism, explains how the Dark Night of the Senses, a period of spiritual dryness and detachment, ultimately leads to a deeper state of faith and spiritual maturity. Let's delve into his perspective:

Stripping Away Worldly Attachments:

Imagine a journey up a mountain path. Sunlight filters through the trees, warming your face. But as you ascend, the path thickens, the foliage becomes denser, and shadows lengthen. This initial darkness represents the Dark Night, where St. John says God strips away our reliance on worldly attachments and comforts.

Just as a sculptor removes excess marble to reveal the perfect statue within, God removes our reliance on external consolations, forcing us to turn inwards and seek Him alone. This can be a painful process, like pruning a vine to strengthen its fruit.

Deeper Purification and Refinement:

The aridity of the Dark Night isn't a rejection, but a purification. Imagine a goldsmith refining gold in a fiery furnace. The flames melt away impurities, leaving behind pure gold. Similarly, the Dark Night burns away our spiritual impurities, such as self-centeredness and pride, leaving us more receptive to God's grace.

Through this process, our faith matures from dependence on feelings and experiences to a firm conviction rooted in trust and surrender. We learn to love God not for the consolations He gives, but for who He is.

Humility and Surrender:

The darkness of the Dark Night humbles us, revealing our limitations and dependence on God. We come face-to-face with our own inadequacies and learn to rely solely on His strength. This surrender cultivates a deeper sense of gratitude and dependence on God's loving presence, even when it feels hidden.

Imagine a child lost in a dark forest, reaching out instinctively for their parent's hand. In the Dark Night, we become that child, reaching out to God in complete trust and vulnerability, knowing He is the only light that can guide us through.

Emerging Transformed:

Just as dawn eventually breaks after the darkest night, the Dark Night eventually gives way to a new level of spiritual awareness. We emerge transformed, with a deeper faith, purer love for God, and a stronger capacity for spiritual joy.

The Dark Night, though challenging, is a necessary stage in the journey towards union with God. By embracing its challenges and trusting in God's transformative work, we can emerge with a more mature faith and a deeper connection to the divine.

Remember, the Dark Night is a personal experience, and its duration and intensity vary from person to person. With patience, trust, and perseverance, we can navigate this challenging period and emerge with a stronger and more authentic faith.
Important Imagery:
Mount Carmel: Represents the arduous journey of spiritual purification.
Cloud of unknowing: Represents the hiddenness of God in the Dark Night.
Night: Represents the obscurity and confusion experienced during this stage.
Overall Message: The Dark Night, though painful, is a necessary stage in the soul's journey towards union with God. It requires detachment from earthly things and trusting in God's loving presence, even when it feels hidden.