The Dark Night of the Soul and the Living Flame of Love: St. John of the Cross

by John of the Cross, Robert van de Weyer

The soul-stirring mystical writings of St. John of the Cross, the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic.

Genres: Spirituality

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

St. John of the Cross (Spanish: Juan de la Cruz), born June 24 1542, Juan de Yepes Álvarez, was a major Counter-Reformation figure, a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest. He was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered, along with St Teresa of Ávila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. He's also known for his writings. Both his poetry & his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature & a peak of all Spanish literature. He was canonized as a saint in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is one of the 33 Doctors of the Church. (less)

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint of heart, the sceptic, or anyone attached to the world (Babylon or the city of man). This book is unadulterated mysticism. It falls among the great works of mystics like Plotinus and pseudo-Dionysius. I would dare say anyone who has not been initiated into the mysteries at least at the beginner phase could not possibly gain much knowledge from this great theologian, but for those who have had mystical experiences and have their mind's eye slightly open would gain much knowledge of God. This is a book that must be read by the mystic many times through their lives. The ultimate goal of this work of abstract art is to summarize the phases of the soul in approaching God and in its union with Christ in marriage as in how the book of revelation reveals that Christ is the bridegroom of Zion or the kingdom of God composed of the faithful. Honestly, much of this book was over my head for I have only received the beginner mysteries, but what I did understand in this book along with through my own dark nights of the soul gave me a deeper understanding of my sufferings, purges, aridity of the soul, and attachment to worldly cravings. The longer we can go disconnected from the body, world, and devil the closer our soul comes to God.

I strongly suggest readers first read, the whole Bible a few times, St. Augustine's confessions and city of God, the complete works of Plato, Plotinus, All of Aquinas, and pseudo Dionysus. I say this because st. John is very advanced reading especially for those that lack the mysteries of mysticism. For mystics he is more approachable as long as one already contains some limited knowledge of God. Long live the monad, the One, the I Am!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we recognize the difference between ecstatic poetry and erotica? And do we not love them both? This can be read again and again, not so much as a devotional, rather as a measure of the depth of the well that is being dug in your existential life.

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult read without guidance. The language was archaic and the imagery from a different time, but there were points where I was very moved. I needed a clearer guide