Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross (Free E-book)

Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross

Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Excerpt is taken from the book. Free e-book/PDF at the bottom of post.

“Into this dark night souls begin to enter when God draws them forth from the state of beginners—which is the state of those that meditate on the spiritual road—and begins to set them in the state of progressives—which is that of those who are already contemplatives to the end that, after passing through it, they may arrive at the state of the perfect, which is that of the Divine union of the soul with God.

Wherefore, to the end that we may the better understand and explain what night is this through which the soul passes, and for what cause God sets it therein, it will be well here to touch first of all upon certain characteristics of beginners (which, although we treat them with all possible brevity, will not fail to be of service likewise to the beginners themselves), in order that, realizing the weakness of the state wherein they are, they may take courage, and may desire that God will bring them into this night, wherein the soul is strengthened and confirmed in the virtues, and made ready for the inestimable delights of the love of God. And, although we may tarry here for a time, it will not be for longer than is necessary, so that we may go on to speak at once of this dark night.

2. It must be known, then, that the soul, after it has been definitely converted to the service of God, is, as a rule, spiritually nurtured and caressed by God, even as is the tender child by its loving mother, who warms it with the heat of her bosom and nurtures it with sweet milk and soft and pleasant food, and carries it and caresses it in her arms; but, as the child grows bigger, the mother gradually ceases caressing it, and, hiding her tender love, puts bitter aloes upon her sweet breast, sets down the child from her arms and makes it walk upon its feet, so that it may lose the habits of a child and betake itself to more important and substantial occupations.

The loving mother is like the grace of God, for, as soon as the soul is regenerated by its new warmth and fervour for the service of God, He treats it in the same way; He makes it to find spiritual milk, sweet and delectable, in all the things of God, without any labour of its own, and also great pleasure in spiritual exercises, for here God is giving to it the breast of His tender love, even as to a tender child.

3. Therefore, such a soul finds its delight in spending long periods—perchance whole nights—in prayer; penances are its pleasures; fasts its joys; and its consolations are to make use of the sacraments and to occupy itself in Divine things. In the which things spiritual persons (though taking part in them with great efficacy and persistence and using and treating them with great care) often find themselves, spiritually speaking, very weak and imperfect.

For since they are moved to these things and to these spiritual exercises by the consolation and pleasure that they find in them, and since, too, they have not been prepared for them by the practice of earnest striving in the virtues, they have many faults and imperfections with respect to these spiritual actions of theirs; for, after all, any man’s actions correspond to the habit of perfection attained by him. And, as these persons have not had the opportunity of acquiring the said habits of strength, they have necessarily to work like feebler children, feebly.

In order that this may be seen more clearly, and likewise how much these beginners in the virtues lacks with respect to the works in which they so readily engage with the pleasure aforementioned, we shall describe it by reference to the seven capital sins, each in its turn, indicating some of the many imperfections which they have under each heading; wherein it Dark Night of the Soul St. John of the Cross will be clearly seen how like to children are these persons in all they do. And it will also be seen how many blessings the dark night of which we shall afterwards treat brings with it, since it cleanses the soul and purifies it from all these imperfections.”

(Excerpt taken from the book Dark Night of The Soul by St. John of the Cross. Publisher: Grand Rapids,

Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross Free E-book (PDF) here: 

My life has changed dramatically

Since plugging in to your words of wisdom my life has changed dramatically. You pointed me in the right direction and that gave me courage to continue moving through whatever process I may find myself in and the ability to take refuge in the truth within me.

I have never felt more aligned to my true self

Maria’s awareness of energies and the conditions of the mind are truly impressive. She knows exactly what’s going on. She is so attuned to other peoples’ energy that she just knows where you’re at. After working with her I have never felt more alive and aligned to my true self.

Andrew B, San Diego, CA, USA

I was taken over by a peacefulness

After our session, something happened within me that I cannot explain nor would it even make sense to anyone. There was a part of me that felt my being been taken over by a real peacefulness that I’ve never encountered before. Sounds odd but it’s the truth.

Maria helped me recreate my life

Maria is amazing. She is a gift to this world with an incredible intuitive ability. She has helped me to refocus my energy and recreate my life.

C. Málaga, Spain

The whole session felt as if it was operating on another level

If you can trust one thing in your life right now, trust Maria. You can trust her with your heart and soul. It’s hard to explain, the whole session felt as if it was operating on another level. I’ve never had that kind of experience before. It just felt so much bigger than I anticipated. I can tell you with absolute honesty and conviction that having a session with Maria is life-changing!

– Lisa, USA

More transformational than any other thing that I’ve tried

I highly recommend Maria! I don’t even recognize the person who started working with her a few months ago. Maria clearly sees what is blocking, stopping or limiting you. Working with her has been more transformational than any other thing that I’ve tried. There have been profound shifts in the way I see myself and the world, so many shifts in my energy and life. I find myself so much lighter and freer. Thank you Maria!

Britt, Marbella, Spain

It was more than I could ever hoped for or expected

My experience with Maria was more than I could ever hoped for or expected. I had such a positive experience working with her. I feel like a huge weight have been lifted and I have so much more perspective on what I have been struggling with. She cleared up my energy and I feel more myself, more at peace and all around better mentally and emotionally since my sessions with her.

Miriam, Espoo, Finland

I experienced a PROFOUND shift 

I can’t put into words how much you have helped me. I couldn’t have kept it all together had I not experienced a PROFOUND shift during and after my session with you.

 I am so glad that I reached out to you

Maria, you are truly godsend. I cannot describe how happy I am. I have no idea what you did and how you did, but I am truly grateful to you. My words in this email cannot thank you enough. Today is the first day that I woke up feeling as if I am ready to take on the world. I am so glad that I reached out to you. I am truly grateful to you. I will definitely recommend you to my friends and family!

J, USA

Something happened within me that I cannot explain

After our session, something happened within me that I cannot explain nor would it even make sense to anyone. There was a part of me that felt my being been taken over by a real peacefulness that I’ve never encountered before. Sounds odd but it’s the truth.

– A.

The feeling of peace and freedom is priceless

With only that one session and the healing she carried out, I’ve been without grudges, feelings of being hurt or anything on those lines. This feeling of peace and freedom is priceless. Maria is beyond amazing. Had I not experienced it myself, I would probably not believe it. I recommend anyone who is trying hard to be truly free and really start walking down the path of self fulfillment and happiness to book a session with her.

You are truly a gift to us all!

I can’t even begin to express how much I have gained internally after my session with you. You have been an instrument of peace in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

– Owen, USA

Profound shift

I can’t put into words how much you have helped me. I couldn’t have kept it all together had I not experienced a PROFOUND shift during and after my session with you.

Maria is leading people to a new way of being

Maria is changing the world by her presence. She’s leading people to a new way of being. She’s rare because she’s able to see where you are at in your journey and can show you the way forward. I feel so incredibly grateful that she has been a companion during this time of change. If you feel drawn to connect with Maria I encourage you to move forward with confidence.

– Carolyn W. Asheville, NC, USA

You have really made a difference in how my mind works

I don’t know if I make sense, but all I can say is that I feel blissful. And I can’t thank you enough for that. I don’t know exactly how you managed this, but you have really made a difference in how my mind works.

– Silvia, Marbella, Spain

I cannot believe what you were able to achieve in one session

I don’t really know where to start. I find myself at a loss for words. All I can say to you is Thank You. This was unlike any healing session that I have ever been in and I say that from the bottom of my skeptical, over analytical heart who had literally tried everything one could think of. I cannot recommend you enough to other people, you are a gift. I also cannot believe what you were able to achieve in one session, to me it is groundbreaking. Thank you!!!

Rosie Bebawi, Marbella, Spain

Can’t recommend her enough!

Working with Maria was one of the best investments I ever made in myself. I’ve seen immediate shifts in my energy as well as learned to work with my own energy and mind. It has been one of the single most transformational experiences of my life. Can’t recommend her enough!

– Chris, USA

I needed help in getting my life back

From the first sentence you spoke directly related to what I was going through, I felt so uplifted and light. It still blows me away when I think about it now! Never once did I feel judged, or uncomfortable in any way. I feel like this heavy weight of negativity has fallen away from me and I couldn’t get those awful feelings back if I tried. I can’t stress enough what a gift it is to be able to work with somebody like Maria. Talk about amazing grace!

I certainly did not expect this

I certainly did not expect this, l have had periods of such intense joy and bliss, Love with an underlying peace that’s been consistent. l don’t understand it intellectually but my heart see’s it clearly. It’s been wonderful, I feel a true sense of connection and being rooted with in and there is just an openness and trust, and a sense of wonder and amazement. I am truly grateful, Thank you. Sincerely.

Mark Neely, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA

My life has radically changed for the better

I finally know my worth. I feel so different now, I feel lighter, happier and more self confident and it’s easy to let go of people and situations that don’t serve me. I treasure the time I spend talking with Maria and look forward to my sessions with her. There has been big changes in my life, synchronicities showing up like magic and I’m constantly blown away at the business and opportunities that I’m attracting. My life has radically changed for the better after I met Maria.

— Robin, New York, USA

Her unique ability to read your state helped me to breakthrough

Maria’s intuitive abilities have been instrumental to the personal growth I’ve experienced as a result of working together. I’ve had HUGE shifts in my beliefs. Her undivided attention, presence and unique ability to read your state helped me to breakthrough and release old patterns and replace them with new self-empowering practices that have truly shifted my life. I would highly recommend Maria to anyone. I am forever changed and forever grateful!

Joanna, USA

Thank you, Maria!

I couldn’t be more grateful to have Maria in my life. Her guidance and energy is profound!

– Robert, CA, USA

Could not more highly recommend

Maria is the real deal. You will sense it the moment you lay eyes on her. She offered much, much more than I’ve derived from other teachers; highly specific and personal recommendations. It is as though I got a crash graduate course from spirit. Could not more highly recommend!

Catherine Rondeau, Westport, Connecticut, USA

I’ve never had a conversation like that before

I just wanted to say thank you so much again for our session yesterday, I’ve never had a conversation like that before and it was truly amazing. I could feel weight lifted as we were talking and for the first time my mind did not try to make sense of things, it was all truly felt in the heart space.

Val, Melbourne, Australia

Connecting with you is magical

Maria THANK YOU. Sometimes just by connecting with you even briefly gives me instant clarity, it’s really magical, thank you so much. I trust your guidance so much, I’m just so grateful!

I had a complete turnaround to my situation

The distance healing was amazing. I had a complete turnaround to my situation so many thanks for helping me transform something I had lost hope about. It’s a miracle and the outcome could not have turned out better! If you want to see a real shift not just psychological but spiritual shift, then Maria is the lady to see. I am so glad I found you!

– Sophie P

A calm came over me

I could feel the tension leaving my body and a calm came over me by just being in her presence. Everything flows so naturally with her and my life is more beautiful and I feel at peace knowing I have her by my side. I feel blessed to have her in my life.

Cecilia, Stockholm, Sweden

 

Comments

  1. Pingback: Silent Prayer and Meditation (No Agenda) - Maria Erving :: Maria Erving

  2. Hi Ruby,

    Please see the download button at the end of the article and you can receive it there.

    Enjoy the read!

Add A Comment