Understanding the Spiritual Awakening: Dark Night of the Soul
Spiritual awakening is often associated with feelings of euphoria and enlightenment.
However, it’s not always a smooth transition.
In fact, it’s common to experience a period of intense personal struggle known as the “dark night of the soul”.
This article explores the meaning and purpose behind this phenomenon, as well as ways to navigate through this transformative time.
Written by
- Redaction Team
- Personal Development, Spirit
Table of Contents
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Dark Night of the Soul - Carlos' Opinion
I got to know many terms after experiencing it, a spiritual awakening.
Rare will be that a person who doesn’t experience a dark night of the soul by him or herself, would be fully interested in learning more and more about “spiritual concepts”, and I use ” ” marks, since the labels we give to experiences are just meant to set a pattern around a similar type of actions that happen at a given experience.
Would it be possible to teach and make people more interested in the human nature that is interconnected with its own spirituality?
In my opinion, probably not. People learn at their own rythm, and learning about spirituality as for my experience, become more intense once one lives it first, and then seek out to learn and meditate about what happened.
During the lent of 2020, I would never imagined that an intense spiritual practice will lead me to a dark night of the soul, an altered state of consciousness and a spiritual awakening.
As time has passed, little by little I understand the proccess, or at least I think I am understanding how personal and spiritual growth happens.
How it is a part of growth to integrate both light and shadow, into one, to be a person as a whole, as Carl Jung mentioned, the individuation proccess.
My dark night of the soul included several aspects that are also mentioned by other spiritual professors, spiritual books and so on, such as the start of a stripping and falling ego, a mental fight of a spiritual bypass to let my older world behind, a symbolic purification proccess at the melting pot “crisol” where both masculine and femenine divine energies blend together to eventually reach my “personal spiritual enlightment point”, which gave light to the darkness inside me.
St. John of the Cross gave it the label to that part of the proccess in the spiritual enlighment, and many people, now including myself, know what it is to step the underworld, and as greek Hermes, were the ones who were able to step out and convert the breakdown to breakthrough.
There is no rebirth without a dark night of the soul.
What is the Dark Night of the Soul?
The Meaning Behind Dark Nights
The dark night of the soul isn’t just a phrase tossed out lightly; it is a spiritual journey that can be trying, uncomfortable, and confusing for people who experience it. It’s a period where a person feels like they have lost their sense of self and have been plunged into a dark place where the meaning that they had given to their life is gone.
Recognizing the Signs of a Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul is triggered by some external event, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or even a significant midlife crisis. It’s something that can’t be forced, and it’s typically something that takes place as part of the natural growth process. The signs that you are going through a dark night of the soul can include a deep sense of spiritual depression, spiritual crisis or emptiness.
The Purpose of the Dark Night of the Soul
If you’re experiencing a dark night of the soul, it may be hard to understand what the point of all this is. However, the point of the dark night of the soul is to help you shed your old self, particularly any beliefs, attitudes, or habits that no longer serve you. It’s a transformation to your “true self”.
Awakening Process
- Going through the Dark Night of the Soul: Going through a dark night of the soul can be incredibly difficult. Emotions and feelings can be all over the place, and it's challenging to find your way through them. However, it's important not to resist the dark night of the soul because it's a natural phase of the awakening process.
- John of the Cross: Relevance of his Teachings: The teachings of St. John of the Cross, a 16th-century mystic, offer valuable insight on how to navigate through the dark night of the soul. He speaks of the need to have faith in the journey and to pass through the dark night without trying to speed it up or slow it down.
- Navigating Through the Different Stages of the Dark Night of the Soul: The dark night of the soul can be broken into two distinct stages. The first stage is where you begin to detach from those parts of your life that no longer serve you. It's during this stage that you may feel you've lost your sense of self. The second stage is where you begin to rebuild the self, creating a stronger sense of self based on your newfound understanding of the world and the meaning of life.
Spiritual Awakening
Awakening Signs During the Dark Night of the Soul
While the dark night of the soul can be challenging, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Often, people experience a spiritual awakening as a result of their dark night experience. Signs of awakening can include increased intuition, a sense of interconnectedness with others and the universe, and a desire to make positive changes in the world.
Discovering Spirituality During the Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul can be an opportunity to discover spirituality. People going through a dark night of the soul often begin to question their beliefs and attitudes about religion and spirituality. This can lead to a newfound understanding and connection with spiritual practices and beliefs that they were not open to before.
Emptiness and its Role in the Awakening Process
Emptiness is a common feeling during the dark night of the soul. It’s a feeling of nothingness, where the goals and aspirations that once motivated you seem empty and meaningless. However, this emptiness can be a powerful catalyst for growth and transformation. The emptiness forces you to examine your life more closely and to figure out what truly gives you meaning and purpose.
How Long Does the Night of the Soul Last?
- The Duration of the Dark Night of the Soul: The duration of the dark night of the soul can vary from person to person. It can last anywhere from a few days, months to several years. It all depends on the individual and their capacity to process and learn from the experience.
- Ending the Dark Night of the Soul: The dark night of the soul isn't something that can be ended prematurely. The only way to bring the journey of the dark night of the soul to an end is to pass through it, learn its lessons, and integrate them into your life. Only then can a true awakening occur.
- What to Expect After the Dark Night of the Soul: After emerging from the dark night of the soul, individuals often report an increased sense of clarity, inner peace, and purpose. This newfound understanding often leads to positive changes in their lives, including healthier habits and relationships.
Experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul
Moving Forward After a Dark Night of the Soul
Once you emerge from the dark night of the soul, it’s important to be kind and gentle with yourself. Take the lessons learned during this time and integrate them slowly into your daily life. Shadow work is part of the healing process. Be patient with yourself as you rebuild your sense of self.
Learning from the Dark Night of the Soul Experience
The dark night of the soul can be a profound learning experience. Taking the time to reflect on what happened and what you learned can help you grow and evolve as a person. Every experience, no matter how difficult, can be seen as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Supporting Someone Going Through a Dark Night of the Soul
If someone you care about is going through a dark night of the soul, it’s important to support them in a loving and non-judgmental way. Be there to listen and offer a helping hand, but don’t try to speed up their growth process. It’s essential to let them move at their own pace and process this experience in their own way.
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