The Dark Night of the Soul

[chrstw71]

Going through it for a second time in my life. First it was a relationship, now its a job. This time around I feel a little bit stronger.

[Fryitonapanandstuff]

Thanks for sharing this.

[DavidJohnTheHermit]

Steve it so nice to see that your are still around. And that Christ still blesses you.

[hevora86]

Please pray for me. I have been at war for a long time. My soul resides in a dark place....my last crack of light dimming....please pray for me

[stevesilvia]

hevora86, I will keep you in my prayers.

[carlasue88]

Oh I love it! The song too!

[AequitasQuodVeritas]

I can sure understand what St. John of the Cross was experiencing. I've been wandering a dark road ever since my father died.

Maybe like the mythical Diogenes, as well, swinging his lantern into the night.

[chaneltanita]

This is really beautiful. I am in the middle of placing the whole work of the drak night of the soul on you tube.

[chaneltanita]

This is really beautiful. As is the Dark Night of the Soul. I love the music in this clip as it sets a wonderful contemplative mood

[katdanmo2]

I lost my mother from breast cancer 15-20 years ago and my father four five years ago. I hope they are in a good place. I also lost my brother in law my sister s husband long time ago. I am the youngest in the family. I truly pray that they are all in a good place. Amen

[sacredfemme9]

thank you brother steve

for i am truly eperiencing the dark night of the soul please all who read pray for my soul

many blessings

[Restitvtvs]

Sister SacredFemme9: Peace be with you in your journey through the "Dark Night of the Soul". I first read St. John of the Cross' work about two years into my journey. It reminded me that no matter where we are, that we are never completely alone. There is always at least the Small, Still Voice. I will pray for you in your journey. Peace be with you, +r (bro. William)

[ignatiusofantioch2]

The DArk Night of the Soul is perceived by mystics and others to be a blessing in disguise, whereby the individual extends from a state of contemplative prayer to an inability to pray. It is this purgatory, a purgation of the soul, that brings purity and union with God. Such blessings cannot be perceived while the soul suffers this "night." Thus, the Dark Night of the Soul is experienced as a severe test of one's faith that leads to deeper understanding and greater love.

[6MemoryOfForever9]

@ignatiusofantioch2 what if this Dark night of the soul leads to losing faith? I have been in such a stat for soooooo long... and my faith is dying! I have come to understand what real love is, although I fail at practicing it, so much hatred, so much anger in my heart... but I always could see this kind of love from afar!! I used to wish to die suffering for Christ.... now I fear suffering, because I can't see Christ anywhere, and He is not helping me... He is just watching me fall away!

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

Actually, the dark night of the soul refers to FAITH. Faith as one of the theological virtues causes darkness and a void in understanding in the intellect as hope begets emptiness of possessions in the memory, and charity produces nakedness and emptiness of affection and joy in all that is not God.

Faith affirms what cannot be understood by the intellect. St Paul refers this said FAITH in Hebrews 11:1.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

1. “Faith is a certain and obscure habit of the soul” (St. Thomas Aquinas). It is an obscure habit because faith brings us to believe divinely revealed truths that transcend every natural light and infinitely exceed all human understanding in which consequently the excessive light of faith bestowed on a soul is darkness for it; a brighter light will eclipse and suppress a dimmer one.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9 continue from #1

The light of faith in its abundance suppresses and overwhelms that of the intellect. For intellect, by its own power, extends only to natural knowledge, though it has potency to be raised to a supernatural act whenever our Lord wishes.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

2. “Knowledge arises in the soul from both the faculty and the object in hand” (Aristotle). The intellect knows only in natural way, that is, by means of the senses. If one is to know in this natural way, the phantasms and species of objects will have to be present either in themselves or in their likenesses; otherwise one will be incapable of knowing naturally.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9 continue from #2

For example, if those born blind were told about the nature of the colors white or yellow, they would understand absolutely nothing no matter how much instruction they received. Since they never saw these colors nor others like them, they would not have the means to form a judgment about them.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

3. Faith informs us of matters we have never seen or known, either in themselves or in their likeness. In fact, nothing like them exists. The light of natural knowledge does not show us the object of faith, since this object is unproportioned to any of the senses. Yet we come to know it through hearing, by believing what faith teaches us, blinding our natural light and bringing it to submission.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9 continue from #3

St. Paul said to the Romans, “Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). This means that faith is not a knowledge derived from the senses but an assent of the soul to what enters through hearing.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

4. Faith far exceeds what these examples teach us. Not only does faith fail to produce knowledge and science but, as we said, faith deprives and blinds people of any knowledge by which they may judge it. Other knowledge is acquired by the light of the intellect, but not the knowledge of faith.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9 continue from #4

Faith nullifies the light of the intellect; and if this light is not darkened, the knowledge of faith is lost. Isaiah said, “If you do not believe, you will not understand” (Is. 7:9).

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

Faith, manifestly, is a dark night for souls, but in this way it gives them light. The more darkness it brings on them, the more light it sheds. For by blinding, it illuminates them according to those words of Isaiah that if you do not believe you will not understand; that is, you will not have light (Is. 7:9).

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@ignatiusofantioch2 continue from #4

Faith was foreshadowed in that cloud that separated the children of Israel, just before their entry into the Red Sea, from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:19-20). Scripture says of the cloud: “The cloud was dark and illuminated the night”(Ex. 14:20).

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

5. The dark cloud in Ex. 14:20 illustrates how faith, a dark and obscure cloud to souls ( also a night in that it blinds and deprives them of their natural light), illumines and pours light into the darkness by means of its own darkness. This is fitting so that the disciple may be like the master.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9 continue from #5

A person in darkness does not receive adequate enlightenment except by another darkness, according to David’s teaching: “The day brims over and breathes speech to the day, and the night manifests knowledge to the night” (Ps. 19:3). Expressed more clearly, this means: The day, which is God (in bliss where it is day), communicates and pronounces the Word, his Son, to the angels and blessed souls, who are now day;

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

and this he does that they may have knowledge and enjoyment of him. And the night, which is the faith, present in the Church Militant where it is still night, manifests knowledge to the Church and, consequently, to every soul. This knowledge is night to the souls because they do not possess the clear beatific wisdom, and because faith blinds them as to their own natural light.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

6. Our deduction is that since faith is a dark night, it illuminates the soul that is in darkness. We verify, then, David’s assertion on this matter: “Night will be my illumination in the midst of my delights” (Ps. 139:11). This amounts to saying: The night of faith will be my guide in the delights of my pure contemplation and union with God. By this passage David clearly informs us of the darkness demanded on this road if a soul is to receive light.

[ignatiusofantioch2]

@6MemoryOfForever9

Source for the arguments, passages, and figures from Scripture to prove that Faith is a dark night for the soul ----

St. John of the Cross, Book 2, Ch. 3, Ascent of Mount Carmel, pp. 157-159.

[smilecolorsan]

@ignatiusofantioch2 Thank you Wikipedia and the internet. For me, finding out that others have/are experiencing the same thing, is comforting. This issue is something so sensitive and sacred that it would seem that people would choose not to speak openly about it. However, I thank those and St. John of the Cross for sharing this. Also, Wikipedia should replace the word "purgatory" with "hell". The "Dark Night of the Soul" is a hell that believers go through.

[jabberwock01]

A simple and moving version of beautiful words and music. I love this. Thank you for submitting such a beautiful video.

[Annie9361296]

Hi Steve,our secret for staying married for so long? is Love.

Take care Annie

[Annie9361296]

The Dark Night of the Soul,is how I feel my husband passed away it will be four months on 29.we were married 48yrs.with Jesus by my side I'll make.

[stevesilvia]

Annie9361296, 48 years together, what a great gift! I will be remember you in my prayers. What was your secret for staying married for so long?

[justwatchingyours]

beautiful voice.

[stevenstreets2]

Capital University Chapel Choir,uses this as a tradition for decades,what a sweet suprise. thank you

[maitsurt]

The simplicity and presentation is beautiful. Thank you and God bless...

[fool1shmortal]

Who sings this? Is it Cindy Lauper? Seriously though, Her singing has a childlike simplicity to it, my soul needs. It is so burdened with anger, fear and concerns, but it also has a light-hearted side when I see nature and children. I wish the latter to increase and God's grace to cover over the other side.

[jeffstoltzfus]

Karen Peris from "the Innocent Mission" is the vocalist

[lostnalone]

A most beautiful poem/prayer. Through darkness to light, everything thaT HAS form is changeable except God who is complete (perfect) how graced we are to contemplate his beauty

[mozartbiggestfan]

we struggle with the dark side and nights ... thank you .. such darkness

[JillRoxyG]

The Dark Night of the Soul -- it's a terrible, painful, gut-wrenching time. God, please bring me to the end of mine at last! Amen.

[Button36]

This video means a lot to me, Steve, especially now. God Bless!

[EmileJ]

wonderful, thank-you...

Peace and all goodness,EJ