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The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross

John of the Cross is known for his writings. He was mentored by and corresponded with the older Carmelite Teresa of Ávila. Both his poetry and his studies on the development of the soul, particularly his Noche Obscura, are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature and among the greatest works of all Spanish literature.

John of the Cross

The Dark Night of the Soul (St John Of the Cross)

On a dark night,
Kindled in love with yearnings–oh, happy chance!–
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.

In darkness and secure,
By the secret ladder, disguised–oh, happy chance!–
In darkness and in concealment,
My house being now at rest.

In the happy night,
In secret, when none

John of the Cross came to define deep prayer along similar lines. “Preserve a loving attentiveness to God with no desire to feel or understand any particular thing concerning God.”2 By means of this loving attentiveness one begins to move into God.

Martin Laird • Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

John of the Cross came to define deep prayer along similar lines. “Preserve a loving attentiveness to God with no desire to feel or understand any particular thing concerning God.”

Martin Laird • Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

The Dark Night of the Soul ( La noche oscura del alma ) is a phase of passive purification of the spirit in the mystical development, as described by the 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet St. John of the Cross in his treatise Dark Night ( Noche Oscura ), a commentary on his poem with the same name. It follows after the second phase, the... See more

John of the Cross • Dark Night of the Soul

When in the Soul of the Serene Disciple When in the soul of the serene disciple With no more Fathers to imitate Poverty is a success, It is a small thing to say the roof is gone: He has not even a house. Stars, as well as friends, Are angry with the noble ruin. Saints depart in several directions. Be still: There is no longer any need of comment.

Richard Rohr • Falling Upward, Revised and Updated: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

As the great mystic Saint John of the Cross said, “In order to come to the knowledge you have not, you must go by a way in which you know not.” I love this quote. It’s entirely paradoxical.

Adyashanti • Falling into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering

The phrase “dark night of the soul” comes from the Spanish mystic and poet John of the Cross (1541-1597). John was a member of the Christian religious order of Carmelites and, along with St. Teresa of Avila, tried to reform that order. Many in the order were so against reform that they imprisoned John for eight months, during which he wrote a

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The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross

John of the Cross

Martin Laird • Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

Martin Laird • Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

John of the Cross • Dark Night of the Soul

Richard Rohr • Falling Upward, Revised and Updated: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Adyashanti • Falling into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering

Thomas Moore • Dark Nights of the Soul