Introduction
The Dark Night of the Soul is one of the most influential spiritual works in the entire Christian mystical tradition. Written in the 16th century by the Carmelite mystic, St. John of the Cross, it describes the stages through which God leads a soul from a beginner in prayer to full union with Him. Although its language may at first seem mysterious, the book is fundamentally about transformation, purification, and the deepening of love.
The “dark night” does not mean depression, despair, or God punishing the soul. Instead, it is a special grace through which God purifies the soul of attachments, illusions, and self-centeredness, so that the person can love God freely and completely.
In everyday terms, St. John is showing us how God slowly removes whatever is immature or unholy within us, so that our hearts become capable of receiving His love. This purification process often feels like darkness because the soul does not understand what God is doing. But the darkness is not the absence of God — it is the overwhelming presence of God, which the soul is not yet able to perceive clearly.
This article will summarize The Dark Night of the Soul in a clear, orderly, and accessible way. We will look at:
- The meaning of the “dark night”
- The two major stages:
- The Dark Night of the Senses
- The Dark Night of the Spirit
- The purpose and fruits of the dark night
- The signs that a soul is entering this path
- Practical lessons for ordinary believers
The goal is to provide a simple yet systematic introduction to this profound masterpiece of Christian spirituality.
1. What Is the “Dark Night of the Soul”?
St. John describes the spiritual life as a journey from the outer self to the inner self, ending in complete unity with God. On this journey, the soul passes through several “nights” or phases of purification.
These “nights” are called “dark” for three reasons:
- The soul experiences confusion or dryness
When God withdraws the old feelings of spiritual sweetness, prayer feels empty or difficult. - The soul’s former ways of relating to God no longer work
The person cannot rely on old habits, images, or methods because God is drawing them to a deeper level. - The light of God is too bright
Like bright sunlight on weak eyes, His presence feels like darkness until the soul is strengthened.
St. John compares this process to a log being transformed into fire. At first the log must dry out, crack, and release impurities before it glows. In the same way, the soul must go through purifying darkness before it is filled with God’s light and love.
Thus, the dark night is not punishment; it is loving purification. It is the way God prepares a soul for mature love and deep union with Him.
2. The Three “Nights” in the Spiritual Journey
St. John distinguishes three types of “nights”:
(1) The Night of the Senses — Active
The beginner voluntarily detaches from sinful pleasures and distractions.
(2) The Night of the Senses — Passive
God removes the soul’s immature attachments to spiritual sweetness and consolations.
(3) The Night of the Spirit — Passive
A deeper purifying darkness that removes the soul’s deep-rooted imperfections, preparing it for union with God.
In The Dark Night of the Soul, St. John focuses mainly on the two passive nights, which God Himself initiates.
3. The Dark Night of the Senses
A. What It Is
The Dark Night of the Senses is the first major purification. It happens when God stops giving the soul the emotional experience of spiritual comfort, warmth, or sweetness. The soul may feel dryness in prayer, boredom in religious practices, or a sense of spiritual emptiness.
However, this dryness is not caused by the soul’s sin or laziness. It is caused by God gently withdrawing the emotional support that helped the soul begin the journey.
B. Why God Allows It
When a person first starts following God seriously, He often gives spiritual sweetness to encourage the soul. This is similar to how parents encourage a child with simple rewards. But the soul can become attached to these feelings instead of God Himself.
Therefore, God removes these emotional supports so that:
- the person will seek God Himself, not the feelings
- the soul may learn humility
- prayer becomes more about love than about pleasure
- the soul begins to grow in faith, not in emotional comfort
It is a transition from childish spirituality to mature love.
C. The Signs That a Soul Is in the Dark Night of the Senses
St. John lists three clear signs:
1. Dryness in Prayer
The person no longer finds delight in meditation or images and feels unable to reflect as before.
2. Continued Desire for God
Though prayer feels empty, the person still longs for God, desires to pray, and feels pain at separation from Him.
3. Growth in Virtue
Even without emotional sweetness, the soul becomes more patient, humble, and charitable.
When all three signs are present, the dryness is from God, not from personal fault.
D. What Happens in the Soul
In this night, the senses — meaning emotions, imagination, and external spiritual feelings — are purified. God simplifies prayer, drawing the heart to a deeper interior stillness.
E. The Fruit of This Stage
The soul becomes:
- more humble
- less attached to spiritual feelings
- more patient in suffering
- more faithful
- less self-centered
It is the foundation for deeper union.
4. The Dark Night of the Spirit
The second night is much deeper, more painful, and more transformative. While the first night purifies the senses, this one purifies the intellect, memory, will, and deepest roots of the soul’s imperfections.
A. Why It Is Necessary
Even after the first purification, the soul still carries:
- hidden pride
- spiritual ambition
- self-love
- subtle attachments
- ignorance
- impatience
- imperfect trust in God
These imperfections are often invisible to the person. The Dark Night of the Spirit is God’s remedy.
B. What It Feels Like
St. John says this night feels:
- confusing
- painful
- spiritually dark
- powerless
- like God is absent
- like one’s prayers go unheard
- like one’s weaknesses are exposed
But this painful experience is actually God’s grace transforming the soul at its deepest level.
C. The Purpose of the Dark Night of the Spirit
- To strengthen faith
The soul learns to trust God without feelings, certainties, or clear understanding. - To purify hope
The soul loses confidence in its own abilities and relies solely on God. - To perfect love
The person begins to love God for God’s own sake, not for spiritual benefits. - To remove deep-rooted pride
Hidden faults come to light so that God can heal them. - To bring the soul to inner freedom
The person becomes detached from everything that is not God.
D. How God Works in This Night
St. John describes God’s action like a surgeon:
He cuts away what is sick so that the soul may be healed.
Or like a refiner purifying gold:
The gold must be held in fire until all impurities burn away.
This is why the night feels intense: the fire of God’s love is cleansing everything within the soul that is not pure love.
E. The Fruits of the Dark Night of the Spirit
After this purification, the soul becomes:
- peaceful
- quiet
- deeply humble
- full of clarity
- richly loving
- united with God
- compassionate toward others
- detached from worldly anxieties
- inwardly free
This night prepares the soul for the final stage: transforming union.
5. The Final Stage: Union with God
After the Dark Night of the Spirit, the soul enters the dawn of a new spiritual life that leads to union with God.
A. What Is Union?
Union is not a feeling but a stable condition in which:
- God and the soul are in deep harmony
- the will is aligned with God’s will
- the person acts out of love, not fear
- the soul lives in continuous awareness of God’s presence
The person does not become God, but becomes so filled with His love that everything is transformed.
B. Characteristics of a Soul in Union
The soul experiences:
- inner peace even in trials
- steady love even without emotion
- clarity without confusion
- humility without effort
- charity toward everyone
- a deep desire to serve God simply
This is the goal of the entire spiritual journey.
6. Practical Lessons for Today’s Christian
Although not everyone will experience the dark night in the same degree, St. John’s teaching offers valuable lessons.
1. Do not be discouraged if prayer feels dry.
Dryness may be a sign of growth, not failure.
2. Feelings are not the measure of your spiritual life.
Real spiritual growth often happens invisibly.
3. God purifies us out of love, not anger.
The dark night is God’s way of preparing us for deeper union.
4. Humility is essential.
Recognizing our weaknesses opens us to God’s work.
5. Silence and stillness are important.
God often speaks through quietness.
6. Perseverance is key.
The dark night requires patient endurance.
7. Trust God even when you feel nothing.
Faith without feelings is stronger than faith with consolations.
8. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process.
God works slowly, deeply, and gently.
Conclusion
The Dark Night of the Soul is not a book about suffering for its own sake; it is a book about transformation through love. St. John of the Cross shows that God leads the soul step by step, through darkness and light, to the fullness of union with Him.
The “nights” are not punishments but acts of divine tenderness, removing obstacles to love. They empty the soul so that it may be filled with God Himself.
For the modern Christian, this message is deeply relevant. Many believers today experience confusion, dryness in prayer, or spiritual uncertainty. St. John teaches us that these experiences can become pathways to a deeper, simpler, more authentic relationship with God — if we respond with humility, trust, and perseverance.
The dark night is, ultimately, the doorway to the dawn. Through it, the soul learns to love God with a pure heart, to walk by faith rather than feelings, and to rest securely in the mystery of God’s transforming presence.
Prayer to St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross, faithful servant of God and master of the spiritual life, we come before you seeking your intercession and guidance. You walked the narrow path of surrender, trusting God even in darkness, silence, and uncertainty. Teach us to open our hearts to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, so that we may allow God to purify our thoughts, desires, and intentions.
You who embraced the Dark Night with courage, help us to remain steadfast when prayer feels dry or when God seems distant. Strengthen our faith so that we may cling to God’s love even when we cannot feel it. Inspire us to seek God above all things and to desire His will more than our own.
St. John, gentle guide of souls, lead us toward the freedom that comes from total surrender to God. May your example ignite in us a deeper longing for union with Him, and may your prayers accompany us on our journey toward the light of divine love. Amen.
Nelson MCBS 
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