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This is my #1 favorite of all them. Not only for Christians, this book would be perfect for those having a Kundalini Awakening, learning alchemy, or having any type of awakening of energy in the body.Shortly after my own Kundalini Awakening, I began to read all the books written by the saints of every religion. It shows that the dark is really light with nothing left to reflect off of. This is one of the best books I ever read. If you are going through any kind of spiritual transformation, this is the book for you.
I only mention all this because it sets the context for this review. Later in the book, Saint John's powerful metaphors, describing higher and higher states of devotional ecstasy, again parallel many of the mystical stories of the ancient east about the soul and its relationship with the Divine. Secondly, I did not read this particular translation.
But more than this, the dark night is also that state we must reach to quiet the chatter of the mind, which enables us to venture out into the darkness (or unknown) to meet our Divine Self/Lover. To me, this book underscores my personal belief that true mysticism is the unifying factor that transcends any religious boundaries.If you have NOT read this fabulous book simply because you believe it is only for Catholics, pick up a copy and see it through the eyes of the Universal Mystic, unbound by any socio-religious pre-conceptions. When I read Saint John's words, I was reminded of the ancient Vedic story of the cowherd girls stealing out in the middle of the night to meet their beloved Krishna, as well as the story of Buddha leaving his father's court to find enlightenment whilst everyone else slumbered.
First of all, I need to let you know that I read this book about 7 years ago. The "dark night" is firstly that lonely, shadowy place in which we find ourselves when we cry out to the Universe/God to tell us who we are and why we were born. This is and will always be one of my favourite books.Lynn Serafinn, author of "The Garden of the Soul: lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self"
Thirdly, I must mention that I was raised a Catholic, and was later a scholar of Indian mysticism for more than 20 years. When I read this book, what most struck me about Saint John's "Dark Night" was how similar it was to eastern mysticism.
This is a great book for anyone going through a spiritual transition. I love this book. It doesn't look like much being so small but it helped me to understand much bigger books without half the information.
Translator has made this poetry into pretty dry stuff, I'm going to try the Spanish version.
This is because St. For me, this was much easier to understand than when St.
However, this book isn't meant to be read cover to cover without serious pause for reflection and prayer during your readings (something I unfortunately neglected to do). John began discussing more advanced and intricate aspects of infused prayer.
This book is considered by many to be John of the Cross' greatest work. He does, however, spend a little bit at the beginning reviewing some of the many errors that novices make while giving advice as to how to begin one's journey in the spiritual life.
It's only about 200 pages and should probably be used while praying. From what I understand, it is to be read after Ascent of Mount Carmel.
John spends time discussing some more of the advanced stages of infused prayer.
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