Has anyone here experienced what St. John of the Cross describes as the dark night of the soul? Would you elaborate on your experience please?
Has anyone here experienced what St. John of the Cross describes as the dark night of the soul? Would you elaborate on your experience please?
<--Bluebird of Happiness
Why are you reading a book about occult practices and beliefs!
My favorite scripture: Malachi 3:16
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name!" (Every time we speak of the Lord, or even THINK of him--its written down in a book of remembrance!)
Ditto on this question........................Originally Posted by Diggindeeper
Eye Of The Beholder
Read it many years ago. It's completely alien to the New Birth as explained and guided in the New Testament.
"But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." Jn11:10
Jesus is enough
This concept seems to be deeply rooted in Catholic teaching. The Bible does tell us that we will have tribulation, and that we walk by faith and not by sight.
Have I experienced crises?
Sure.
Trials?
Yep.
Times when God seemed either distant or shrouded in contradictions and He lets me struggle and wrestle with certain things and lets me arrive at certain points of decisions that I must make?
Oh yes.
But I push in and continue with Him and seek Him, because those who ask, receive and those who seek, find and those who knock, will have the door opened. Because if I draw close to Him, He will draw close to me. That's a promise I count on, stand on, and live by.
So while it's not all rainbows, puppies and butterflies (because I do live in a fallen world and I have struggles with my own internal resistance against the Lord based on what remains of my fallenness and thus disconnectedness from Him), my personal relationship with Jesus has always been one of permanence and continued transformation, greater understanding, deeper faith and greater closeness, since having been born again in 1992.
That's pretty much all I have to say about that.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
I have not read the book. I was reading the poem about the darkness written by a Christian mystic. Are you saying Christian mystics are of the devil?
Eye Of The Beholder
The danger behind mysticism (in very basic terms) is the dillusion that God can be reached through natural means, such as applying various disciplines or excercises. An enticing peril lies in the fact that mystics might record experiences or insights that mimic genuine spiritual growth or struggles but are not the product of direct faith in the word, or of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (almost every religion known to man has its mystics).
By definition, this Dark Night of Soul seeks to narrate, or is a metaphor, for the soul's journey to God, and the Dark struggles that befall this particular seeker along the way.
"Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." Col 2:23
But the Scriptural path to God (and His enlightenment) is direct, is by faith, and is the work of the Holy Spirit.
"Wherin He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence." Eph 1:8
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;" Eph 3:16
(There is much more here that can be cited and discussed on the topic, if need be. Just being briefly introductory. Sort of)
Last edited by IMINXTC; Sep 15th 2011 at 08:26 PM. Reason: sp
Grand Master
I have not read the book or the poem, but the bible does speak of light and darkness in the NT.
Mainly referring to goodness, such as deeds (Mt5:16 - NIV).
What we see through our eyes is described as light and darkness (Mt 6:22, Luke 11:34-36 - NIV).
Jesus is the light of the world, who brings salvation (John 1:4-10+John 3:19-21+John 8:12+John 9:5+John 12:35, John 12:46 - NIV).
Jesus talks about becoming sons of light (John 12:36 - NIV)
From a biblical perspective, I Hope this helps.
By definition, this Dark Night of Soul seeks to narrate, or is a metaphor, for the soul's journey to God, and the Dark struggles that befall this particular seeker along the way.
Thank you IMINXTC. This explanation is what drew me to the author. I have struggled with depression all my life. I was born into a family of depressives so part of it is inherited genes and part learned behavior. The mystic's description of the dark night is exactly what depression is like and the fact that after the last bout of it that I had, I met God at the end of the tunnel, leads me to believe that when I get through it this time, He will illuminate my soul with wisdom and strength that will leave me better off than I was before.
I in no way purposely induced this, but it is comforting to know that others have been through it. At least this time, I already know God is there and will help me.
Like Dani H says, it's not all rainbows and puppies for some of us.
Eye Of The Beholder
I would, nevertheless, advise caution and urge you to stay close to the word and to be in fellowship with others who do.
St. John of The Cross, was a Carmelite priest. This poem you cite contains philosphical/spiritual tenets more akin to Aristotle than the pure word of God - Dark Night of the Soul describes the ten steps on the ladder of mystical love, previously described by Saint Thomas Aquinas and in part by Aristotle.
You certainly have my prayer and concern in your struggles with depression, and I agree, it's not all rainbows and puppies for any of us.
But there is safety and spiritual nourishment in the word of God. (The Psalms, by the way, speak directly to my times of struggle, and give me genuine comfort).
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105
Lord Bless,
Stephen
Last edited by IMINXTC; Sep 15th 2011 at 09:47 PM.
<--Bluebird of Happiness
Silvermist...I really hope you listen and heed what Stephen is telling you! He has a lot of wisdom about this kind of stuff! Please heed, my friend.
My favorite scripture: Malachi 3:16
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name!" (Every time we speak of the Lord, or even THINK of him--its written down in a book of remembrance!)
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