Spiritual Wakefulness and the “Dark night” by John of the Cross

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Comparative Religions & Mysticism, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Religions & Mysticism, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Comparative Religions & Mysticism, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jrr.2024.349907.2044

Abstract

"Dark night" serves as a metaphor for the soul’s progression towards God, as utilized by John of the Cross. He employs this metaphor to illustrate the various stages of the soul’s journey towards God, akin to mystical stages in other spiritual systems. The findings of this article suggest that, according to John of the Cross, the "dark night" symbolizes the soul's transformative path toward God. It serves as a means to elucidate the soul’s transformative journey, marked by spiritual transcendence and union with God. John delves into two aspects of the soul’s journey: humanity's quest for God and the divine pursuit of humanity, presenting an overarching activity-passivity dichotomy in each dimension of the journey. This transformation unfolds through a four-part structure: first, the active night of the senses, ascending Mount Carmel; second, the active night of the soul, also ascending Mount Carmel; third, the passive night of the senses; fourth, the passive night of the soul within the "dark night." In Book I, John delineates the "negative" state of deprivation. The dark night represents a crucial step in relinquishing attachments and embarking on a path toward divine reunion, involving a journey on a dark path shrouded in indistinct elements. The soul's connection during this night occurs independently of sensory aid, and the dryness and vacuums within the night are viewed as a means to comprehend both God and the soul

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References

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Religious Research
Volume 11, Issue 22 - Serial Number 22
February 2024
Pages 315-332

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