DNOTS

The greatest scientists, philosophers and spiritual teachers found solace, inspiration, and truth in words. Poetry is entwined and hiding in everything. Recently, I stumbled upon the “Dark Night of The Soul” poem. I always knew what DNOTS was, but I was completely unaware of its poetic history. Interesting stuff, let’s get into it…

“The Dark Night of The Soul” is widely popularized spiritual term (DNOTS) aka an existential spiritual crisis. Absolute darkness. Pain. Hopelessness. Despair. I wish I was being dramatic, but I’m not. “DNOTS” is widely considered the catalyst of a spiritual awakening. It can consist of either the separation of the self and the self, the separation of faith and the self, or in most cases, both. Simply put, it’s the part in the journey where everything you believe to be true is questioned, faith is lost, and hope is completely out of reach.

It is the most harrowing element of the spiritual journey–not to be taken lightly. Initially, the dark night was a term used by Catholics to describe this “spiritual crisis.” However, it has been adopted into new-age spiritual teachings and exists across various religions in different iterations. It was originally coined by St. John the Cross, from his poem, “Dark Night of The Soul.” After being consumed by distress and questioning his faith, he climbed Mt. Caramel in search of union with God. The poem narrates his journey of the soul–from demonic confusion to union and from separation to oneness. Ultimately, the poem is a declaration of the souls journey and the final stage of pure bliss. He proclaimed, “In dark night of the soul, so flows the river of God.”

DNOTS propels the soul into the depths of darkness, mistrust, and madness. There is no time frame. For some, it may be days or weeks, for others it can be months, or even years. For St. John, it was a whopping 45 years. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, reportedly told her fellow nuns, "If you only knew what darkness I am plunged into." It lasted her entire life.

Nowadays, you have nothing to worry about. DNOTS is aided and abetted by the internet, thousands of books, a feast of religions to choose from, millions of believers, and a society of acceptance.

The world is bursting with spiritual validation and whether or not it is true, is up for you to decide. Naturally, we either find peace within ourselves and what we believe to be our truth….. or continue to get swept up into the chaos of spiritual crisis. Anyway….the poem is below, enjoy!

The Dark Night 
Stanzas Of The Soul
John 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 saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, 
Without light or guide, save that which burned in my 
heart.

This light guided me 
More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me–
A place where none appeared.

Oh, night that guided me, 
Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, 
Lover transformed in the Beloved!

Upon my flowery breast, 
Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, 
And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

The breeze blew from the turret 
As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck 
And caused all my senses to be suspended.

I remained, lost in oblivion; 
My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, 
Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.