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Original Four Dark Nights Explained
- The Dark Night originally refers to St. John of the Cross's four stages, including two passive nights of senses and spirit that are necessary developmental transitions.
- The passive nights involve being weaned off sensory pleasures then spiritual consolations as maturation toward mystical union.
Active Versus Passive Dark Nights
- Active dark nights are intentional practice shifts; passive nights happen to you without agency and feel like developmental weaning.
- St. John uses breastfeeding and weaning metaphors to describe losing earlier sources of spiritual nourishment.
Loss Of Meaning In The Dark Night Of Spirit
- The dark night of the spirit often entails loss of normal meaning-making and a felt abandonment by God, producing confusion and bewilderment.
- This dissolving of prior worldview can be deeply distressing because long-standing spiritual supports vanish.