Summary
Two Stages of Spiritual Struggle
Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross
In the spiritual part's dark night, even your concepts of God become obstacles. He explains that spiritual growth isn't one continuous journey, but rather two distinct phases that feel like separate experiences entirely. The first phase—what he calls the 'night of sense'—is common and many people go through it. This involves letting go of surface-level attachments and comforts. It's difficult, but manageable. The second phase—the 'night of the spirit'—is far more intense and reaches much deeper. Only a few people experience this level of transformation. Saint John warns that while the first phase is 'bitter and terrible,' the second phase is 'horrible and awful' by comparison. This isn't meant to discourage, but to prepare. He's essentially saying that if you think the first round of personal growth was hard, the deeper work ahead is exponentially more challenging. This matters because it helps us understand that spiritual and personal development isn't linear. We don't just get a little better each day. Instead, we go through distinct seasons of upheaval and reconstruction. Recognizing this pattern helps us prepare mentally and emotionally for what's ahead, rather than being blindsided by the intensity of deeper transformation.
Coming Up in Chapter 18
Having prepared us for what's coming, Saint John will now dive into the specifics of this second, more intense phase of spiritual transformation. He'll explain exactly what makes this deeper journey so much more challenging than anything we've experienced before.
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 126 words)
Annotation for that which follows. Before we treat of the dark night of the spirit, it will be well to note here one thing which will make clear when this night begins and when that of sense ends. For, although in a certain way they are both one night divided into two parts, yet the first part of it, which is that of sense, is common and comes to many, while the second part, which is that of the spirit, comes to the very few. The night and purgation of sense is bitter and terrible to sense; but, as we shall see presently, this second part, which is that of the spirit, bears no comparison with it, for it is horrible and awful to the spirit.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Staged Transformation
Personal growth happens in distinct phases where each level requires exponentially more surrender and feels like starting completely over.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between surface-level changes and identity-level transformation, preparing for the different challenges each phase requires.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you or someone close to you says 'I thought this would be easier by now'—that's often the signal that you've moved from phase one (behavior change) to phase two (identity reconstruction).
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Night of the Senses
The first phase of spiritual growth where you let go of surface-level attachments like comfort foods, shopping habits, or validation from others. It's painful but manageable because it deals with external things.
Modern Usage:
This is like when someone decides to get serious about their health and gives up junk food and Netflix binges - uncomfortable but doable.
Night of the Spirit
The second, much deeper phase of transformation that challenges your core beliefs, identity, and sense of self. Saint John warns this is exponentially more difficult than the first phase.
Modern Usage:
This is like realizing the career you've built your whole identity around isn't fulfilling you, or questioning fundamental beliefs you've held since childhood.
Purgation
The process of being purified or cleansed, but through difficulty and loss rather than gentle improvement. It's like spiritual detox - painful but necessary for growth.
Modern Usage:
We see this in recovery programs where people have to face uncomfortable truths about themselves, or in therapy when you work through deep trauma.
Contemplative Life
A way of living focused on deep reflection, prayer, and seeking spiritual understanding rather than pursuing worldly success or pleasures.
Modern Usage:
Today this might look like someone who prioritizes meditation, journaling, or quiet reflection over climbing the career ladder or accumulating possessions.
Spiritual Dryness
A period where prayer, meditation, or spiritual practices feel empty and meaningless, even though you're doing everything 'right.' It's actually a sign of growth, not failure.
Modern Usage:
This is like when therapy stops feeling helpful, or when your usual coping strategies suddenly don't work anymore - it often means you're ready for the next level.
Interior Castle
The inner spiritual landscape of a person, with different 'rooms' or levels of spiritual development. Saint John maps out this internal journey.
Modern Usage:
We talk about 'inner work' or 'personal development levels' - recognizing that growth happens in stages, not all at once.
Characters in This Chapter
Saint John of the Cross
Spiritual guide and narrator
In this chapter, he acts as a teacher preparing students for what's ahead. He's honest about how difficult the journey will be, but frames it as necessary preparation rather than discouragement.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced therapist who warns you that deeper work will be harder than surface-level changes
The Beginner
Implied student/reader
Though not directly named, Saint John addresses those just starting serious spiritual work. He's warning them that what they've experienced so far is just the beginning.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who's made some positive life changes and thinks they've got it figured out
The Advanced Soul
The rare few who reach deeper transformation
Saint John distinguishes between common spiritual experiences and the rare, intense transformation that only some people undergo. These are his primary audience for the coming chapters.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who's done years of therapy and is ready to tackle their deepest patterns and wounds
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The night and purgation of sense is bitter and terrible to sense; but this second part, which is that of the spirit, bears no comparison with it, for it is horrible and awful to the spirit."
Context: He's preparing readers for the intensity difference between surface-level and deep spiritual work.
This quote establishes that spiritual growth isn't linear or gentle. Saint John is being brutally honest that deeper transformation is exponentially more difficult than surface changes. He uses strong words like 'horrible and awful' not to scare people away, but to prepare them mentally.
In Today's Words:
You think giving up bad habits was hard? Wait until you have to face who you really are at your core - that's a whole different level of difficult.
"The first part of it, which is that of sense, is common and comes to many, while the second part, which is that of the spirit, comes to the very few."
Context: He's explaining why he needs to distinguish between these two phases of growth.
This quote reveals that deep transformation is rare, not because it's exclusive, but because most people aren't willing to go through the intensity required. It validates that if you're feeling called to deeper work, you're in select company.
In Today's Words:
Lots of people make surface-level improvements, but very few are willing to do the really deep, uncomfortable work of changing who they are at their core.
"Although in a certain way they are both one night divided into two parts."
Context: He's explaining that while these feel like separate experiences, they're actually part of one larger transformation process.
This quote provides hope within the warning. Even though the experiences feel completely different, they're part of one coherent journey. The first phase prepares you for the second, even if you can't see the connection at the time.
In Today's Words:
Even though these two phases feel totally different, they're actually part of the same overall process of becoming who you're meant to be.
Thematic Threads
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Saint John maps two distinct phases of spiritual development, warning that deeper transformation is exponentially more difficult than surface changes
Development
Evolving from general discussion of spiritual dryness to specific stages of identity reconstruction
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when career advancement or relationship deepening suddenly feels impossibly difficult despite previous success
Identity
In This Chapter
The chapter reveals that true transformation requires dismantling core beliefs about who we are, not just changing behaviors
Development
Building on earlier themes of losing familiar spiritual comforts to address fundamental self-concept
In Your Life:
You might experience this when success or major life changes force you to question everything you thought you knew about yourself
Class
In This Chapter
Saint John distinguishes between common spiritual experiences and the rare, intense transformation available to few
Development
Introduced here as spiritual class distinction—most experience surface change, few access deeper transformation
In Your Life:
You might notice how certain levels of personal development seem accessible only to those with resources, time, or support systems
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The text challenges expectations that spiritual growth should be linear and manageable, preparing readers for intense upheaval
Development
Introduced here as warning against underestimating the difficulty of authentic transformation
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to make change look easy when actually you're going through profound identity reconstruction
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Saint John's role shifts from teacher to preparation guide, modeling how to support others facing difficult transformation
Development
Evolving from instructional to preparatory, showing care through honest warning rather than false comfort
In Your Life:
You might need to help friends or family understand that your major life changes will be messier and more intense than they expect
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to Saint John, what's the key difference between the two phases of personal growth he describes?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Saint John warn that the second phase is 'horrible and awful' compared to the first being merely 'bitter and terrible'?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of staged transformation in modern life - situations where people handle the first level of change but struggle with deeper requirements?
application • medium - 4
Think about a major change you've experienced. How would you have prepared differently if you'd known it would happen in distinct, increasingly difficult phases?
application • deep - 5
What does this two-phase pattern reveal about why most people avoid deep personal growth, even when they know it would benefit them?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Growth Phases
Think of an area where you're currently growing or need to grow - your career, relationships, health, or personal habits. Draw two columns: 'Phase 1: Surface Changes' and 'Phase 2: Deep Changes.' List what each phase would actually require you to give up or transform. Be brutally honest about what the deeper phase would demand of your identity, beliefs, or lifestyle.
Consider:
- •Phase 1 changes usually involve behavior modification while keeping your core identity intact
- •Phase 2 changes typically require questioning fundamental beliefs about yourself or your worth
- •Most people underestimate Phase 2 because they judge the whole journey by Phase 1 difficulty
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you thought you'd completed a major change, only to discover there was a much deeper level of transformation required. What caught you off guard, and how did you handle the unexpected intensity?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 18: The Dark Journey Begins
What lies ahead teaches us spiritual growth often requires leaving familiar comfort zones, and shows us periods of uncertainty can be necessary for personal transformation. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.