Dark Night of the Soul

The Dark Night of the Soul is a spiritual concept that refers to a period of profound inner turmoil and suffering. It is often described as a crisis of faith, a time when an individual feels completely cut off from God or their higher power. This term was first coined by St. John of the Cross, a Spanish mystic, and poet who lived in the 16th century. He wrote about his own experiences in his famous book so titled, "The Dark Night of the Soul."

THE HISTORY

This idea for the Dark Night of the Soul has its roots in ancient mystical traditions. Mystics have always sought a direct experience of God or the divine, often through intense spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and fasting. The mystical path is not an easy one, and it is common for seekers to experience intense periods of spiritual darkness and despair.

St. John of the Cross was one such seeker. He was a Carmelite monk who lived in Spain in the 16th century. He had a profound spiritual awakening early in life and joined the Carmelite order to pursue his spiritual quest. He was eventually ordained as a priest and became a spiritual director to many nuns and monks.

In 1577, St. John was kidnapped and imprisoned by other members of his order who were opposed to his reforms. He was held in a small cell for nine months and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. It was during this time that he began to experience the Dark Night of the Soul in its most profound form.

He wrote about his experiences and described two stages of the Dark Night. The first stage is the Dark Night of the Senses, where the seeker experiences a sense of emptiness and detachment from the world. The second stage is the Dark Night of the Spirit, where the seeker experiences a profound sense of alienation from God or their higher power.

THE CAUSES

The Dark Night of the Soul can be triggered by a variety of factors. As mentioned before, it is associated with intense spiritual practices, such as meditation or prayer, that can bring about a heightened sense of awareness. This increased awareness can also bring to light unresolved emotional issues, traumas, or conflicts that have been buried deep within the psyche.

This experience can be triggered by external events, such as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, or a major life transition. These episodes can shake a person's sense of identity and purpose, leading to a period of existential crisis (like hitting rock bottom).

In some cases, the Dark Night of the Soul may be a necessary part of the spiritual journey. It can be seen as a kind of initiation, a period of purification that prepares the seeker for a deeper level of spiritual awakening.

THE SYMPTOMS

The Dark Night of the Soul is characterized by a variety of symptoms. These can include feelings of emptiness, despair, and alienation. The seeker may feel as though they have lost their connection to God or their higher power and may struggle to find meaning or purpose in life.

Physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite are also common. The seeker may experience intense emotions such as fear, anger, or grief, and may feel as though they are on an emotional rollercoaster.

The Dark Night of the Soul can be a deeply challenging and painful experience. However, it can also be an opportunity for growth and transformation. By facing their fears and confronting their deepest emotional wounds, the seeker can emerge from the Dark Night with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to their spiritual path.

DR. CARL JUNG

Dr. Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, used the term "Dark Night of the Soul" to describe a period of intense psychological and spiritual turmoil that some individuals may experience during their lives.

According to Jung, the Dark Night of the Soul is a phase of spiritual transformation that can occur when a person's ego becomes disconnected from the collective unconscious, or the deeper, universal aspects of the psyche. This can result in feelings of confusion, depression, and despair, as the individual struggles to find meaning and purpose in their life.

Jung believed that this experience is a necessary part of the individuation process, or the process of becoming a fully integrated and self-aware individual. He saw it as a crucial stage in the journey toward wholeness and integration, and he encouraged individuals to embrace the challenges and difficulties they encountered during this period.

In Jungian psychology, crisis events are commonly associated with the archetype of the shadow, or the repressed and disavowed aspects of the self. The process of confronting and integrating the shadow can be painful and difficult, but it is essential for personal growth and spiritual development.

NAVIGATING THE DARKNESS:

[Exposure and Response Prevention Technique]

When someone faces the Dark Night of the Soul, they frequently experience several of the following symptoms: pervasive sadness, difficulty with sleep, trouble concentrating, or feelings of hopelessness, and even thoughts about death or suicide. Having negative intrusive thoughts of mistakes you’ve made in life, or bad memories of a traumatic experience, can undoubtedly lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. You may think you’re “not good enough” or that you are a “failure.” You may feel like, “what’s the point in trying?” Or “why do I keep doing this?” These thought patterns consistently result in a person making bad decisions, or doing things they later regret. These painful events or ongoing thought patterns can lower your ability to make the necessary changes you need in life; changes needed to stop addiction.

SENTIRE EVENTUM

(Experience the Experience)

Something so powerful and profound for such a crisis moment as this (and the needed bravery required to face it) deserves a noble title. I have chosen the Latin words “Sentire Eventum” to express the required response of “Experience the Experience”. The direct translation is “to feel the results of” which describes the reaction needed for this devastating episode of thought and emotion. You can’t fight the storm or the monstrous waves of sorrow you feel; but if you “heave to” you can survive until the dark storm has passed.

When a sailboat is caught in a violent squall, it will position the sails in a manner that the boat is no longer progressing forward “on course” but it is also not fighting the storm; it has "heave to." This technique is used by sailors to maintain a stable position during stormy weather and not capsize the ship. Sailors achieve this by adjusting the sails and rudder in such a way that the boat remains stationary relative to the wind and waves. The concept of "heaving to" in sailing can be analogous to how someone deals with a crisis in their life. When faced with a difficult situation, it can be tempting to try to fight against “the storm” or push through the crisis, like sailing directly into a strong wind or waves. However, just like in sailing, sometimes the best course of action is to pause and wait for the storm to pass.

In a crisis, "heaving to" can mean taking a step back, assessing the situation, and finding ways to maintain stability and balance, even if it means not making any significant progress for a period of time. This also means to ride the storm out. Just like in sailing, "heaving to" during a crisis can help prevent the situation from escalating further or causing more harm, while also giving the person time and space to gather their strength and resources before moving forward. It can be a valuable strategy for maintaining stability and resilience during difficult times, and ultimately help to navigate through the crisis and emerge stronger on the other side.

You might be surprised to learn that no matter how hard you might try to prevent yourself from actually calming down, the intensity of emotions will ultimately subside by themselves. Have you ever had a “good cry” over a situation and then feel better? I’m not posing this as a challenge for you to “try and make it worse” or suggesting you to “cry it out”, instead I’m explaining how the chemistry of the body responds to this high level of anxiety during the Dark Night of the Soul. It actually resulted in the development of an evidence-based treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD.

EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION

(and the science behind it)

There are several hormones involved in the body's response to anxiety, including cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. When an individual experiences anxiety, the body's stress response is activated, leading to the release of these hormones.

Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. It helps the body to respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and increasing the availability of glucose in the brain. However, high levels of cortisol over prolonged periods of time can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline are hormones released by the adrenal gland and sympathetic nervous system in response to stress. They increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, preparing the body for "fight or flight" responses.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works for the treatment of OCD by gradually exposing individuals to the source of their anxiety and preventing them from engaging in their usual compulsive behaviors or mental rituals. This exposure helps to desensitize individuals to their anxiety triggers and promotes habituation, leading to reduced anxiety over time.

In the case of surviving the painful intrusive thoughts and emotions that occur during the Dark Night of the Soul, I’m letting you know that your body can only produce so much adrenaline at one time. As the levels of this hormone decreases in your blood, so does your emotional response; even if you try you will be unable to maintain the same high level of intensity. This recovery period of the adrenal gland is usually a long enough period of time for you to regain control over your psyche. The concept here is to help you endure the overwhelming darkness until it calms sufficiently to resume your journey of recovery.

Remember that grief and emotional pain are natural responses to loss or trauma, and that it is okay to experience these emotions. By allowing yourself to fully experience your feelings without engaging in harmful behaviors, you can begin to heal and move forward in a healthier, more positive way.