The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross

Abstract

John of the Cross is addressing a particular experience in the life of the believer: When the person’s prayer experience changes. Hence his more specific focus for the dark night is different from the broader life experiences of dark night, which Sandra Cronk describes in her work. John of the Cross offers an inner road map, explaining what is happening when the normal experience of consolation in prayer ceases. Rather than advising the believer to work harder at their practice of prayer, John of the Cross discerns a deeper work of God in the person’s life— soul/spirit—and offers guidance as to how the person may respond to God’s presence and work. He also offers counsel to the person offering spiritual guidance, as to how to now companion the directee in the dark night experience.