Ep. 235: The Dark Night of the Soul

About this episode

Jason explores the significance of The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross and its implications for spiritual development.

In this episode, Jason explores one of the most important texts in world spirituality: The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. St. John was a 16th-century Carmelite monk who helped St. Teresa of Ávila reform the Carmelite order—and was kidnapped and imprisoned by rival monks for nine months, during which he composed this classic text on spiritual transformation. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why the "dark night" is not depression, but a necessary stage of spiritual development - The three signs that distinguish true spiritual purgation from mere lukewarmness - How God "weans" the soul like a mother teaching a child to walk - Why divine light appears as darkness to the unprepared soul ("a ray of darkness") - The ten steps of the ladder of love leading to union with God - How suffering is more secure than pleasure on the spiritual path Key quote: "He who shines with the greatest light shall cast the darkest shadow." If you've ever felt spiritually dry, disconnected, or like God has withdrawn His presence—this episode reveals why that experience is not only normal, but essential. --- 🔥 JOIN THE WINTER SOLSTICE WORKING — December 20-21 This episode connects directly…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Louv

Topics covered

• spiritual transformation
• dark night of the soul
• spiritual development
• suffering and pleasure
• union with God

Keywords

• dark night of the soul
• spiritual purgation
• Carmelite monk
• spiritual transformation
• divine light
• ladder of love
• suffering
• pleasure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Carmelite order

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