As we reflect on our spiritual journey, we recognize the profound impact that monasteries have had on preserving the wisdom and practices of early Christianity. Over the centuries, we’ve witnessed how even these sacred institutions were not immune to the influences of imperial and feudal cultures. This struggle between empire and true spirituality has been a recurring theme throughout our history, reminding us of the fragility of noble aspirations as they are carried through time.
We’ve seen prophetic voices rise up within monastic orders, calling for a return to their contemplative roots. These voices remind us of the importance of perpetually returning to the fire of the founders, a concept that resonates deeply with our understanding of spiritual renewal. We recognize that all renewal in religious communities stems from this willingness to reconnect with the original vision and purpose.
Our spiritual journey has led us to contemplate the life and work of John of the Cross, who emerged during the tumultuous times of the Spanish Inquisition. We’re moved by his courage in joining the movement to reform the Carmelite order, bringing them back to their roots as engaged contemplatives. The price he paid for his efforts – kidnapping, imprisonment, and torture – serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who seek to reform and renew spiritual practices.
In John’s suffering, we find a profound lesson about the “dark night of the soul.” This concept, born from his own experiences, has become a touchstone for many of us as we navigate our own seasons of spiritual difficulty. We’re struck by the beauty of the poetry John wrote during this time, giving voice to the longing of his heart for God even when he felt abandoned. His words resonate with our own experiences of spiritual desolation and remind us that even in our darkest moments, our longing for the Divine persists.
We celebrate John’s eventual escape and his successful reformation of the Carmelite order alongside Teresa of Avila. Their work in reintroducing many Christians to the wisdom of the “way down” has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of spiritual growth. We’re humbled by the profound impact of John’s writings, which have been described as some of the most profound spiritual literature on the planet.
As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, we find comfort and guidance in John’s teachings on the dark night of the soul. We’ve experienced how this concept applies to various losses and tragedies in our lives – the loss of religious communities or belief systems, the death of loved ones, the end of relationships, health crises, or the loss of meaning and purpose. In these moments of darkness, we’ve discovered that what we lack often reveals what we’re truly longing for.
We’ve come to understand the dark night as another way of describing what Richard Rohr calls “the path of descent.” We recognize how this path often begins when we fail at something or when something fails us. Yet, in these moments of descent, we’ve discovered a deeper truth – our lack reveals our longing, and our longing for the Divine is ultimately a reflection of God’s longing for us.
As we reflect on our spiritual journey, we’re struck by the cyclical nature of renewal and reform. We see how the struggle between empire and true spirituality continues to play out in our lives and in our religious institutions. We’re reminded of the importance of returning to the original fire, of reconnecting with the wisdom and practices that have sustained spiritual seekers throughout the ages.
We acknowledge the challenges of this journey. The dark night of the soul is not an easy path to walk. It requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to confront our own shortcomings and failures. Yet, we’ve found that it’s in these moments of darkness and descent that we often experience the most profound spiritual growth.
Our reflection leads us to a deeper appreciation for the mystics and reformers who have gone before us. We see how their struggles and insights continue to shape our spiritual landscape. We’re inspired by their courage in facing opposition and their commitment to preserving and renewing true spirituality in the face of cultural and institutional pressures.
As we continue on our spiritual journey, we commit ourselves to the ongoing process of renewal and reform. We recognize the need to continually return to the fire of our founders, to reconnect with the wisdom and practices that have sustained spiritual seekers throughout the ages. We embrace the path of descent, understanding that it’s often in our moments of failure and loss that we experience the most profound spiritual growth.
We hold onto the hope that even in our darkest moments, our longing for the Divine persists. We trust that this longing is not just our own, but a reflection of God’s longing for us. As we navigate the challenges of our spiritual journey, we find comfort in the words of John of the Cross, crying out with him, “Where have you hidden, Beloved?” And in that cry, we mystically hear the echo of God’s own longing for us.
In conclusion, our spiritual reflection reminds us of the ongoing nature of our journey. We recognize that spiritual growth is not a linear path, but one that often involves cycles of renewal, reform, and even periods of darkness. Yet, we’re encouraged by the wisdom of those who have gone before us, finding in their experiences and teachings the guidance we need for our own journey. As we move forward, we commit ourselves to the ongoing process of spiritual growth, embracing both the joys and challenges that come with it, always seeking to deepen our connection with the Divine.
SUMMARY
Monasteries originally aimed to preserve early Christian wisdom and practices, but over time were influenced by imperial and feudal cultures, leading to a recurring struggle between empire and true spirituality throughout history. Prophetic voices within monastic orders attempted to return them to their contemplative roots, recognizing that renewal in religious communities involves returning to the original vision of the founders. During the Spanish Inquisition, John of the Cross worked to reform the Carmelite order, facing imprisonment and torture for his efforts. During his confinement, John experienced a “dark night of the soul,” a term now used to describe periods of spiritual difficulty. He wrote poetry expressing his longing for God during this time of perceived abandonment. Along with Teresa of Avila, John successfully reformed the Carmelite order and reintroduced the “way down” to many Christians. His teachings on the dark night of the soul have since comforted many experiencing loss or tragedy. This concept is related to the “path of descent,” often triggered by failure or loss. Ultimately, the dark night can reveal our deepest longings and lead to an experience of God’s longing for us.
KEY POINTS
- Monasteries originally aimed to preserve early Christian wisdom and practices, but over time were influenced by imperial and feudal cultures.
- The struggle between empire and true spirituality has been a recurring theme throughout history.
- Prophetic voices within monastic orders attempted to return them to their contemplative roots.
- Renewal in religious communities involves returning to the original vision of the founders.
- John of the Cross worked to reform the Carmelite order during the Spanish Inquisition, facing imprisonment and torture.
- John experienced a “dark night of the soul” during his confinement, a term now used to describe periods of spiritual difficulty.
- John wrote poetry expressing his longing for God during this time of perceived abandonment.
- Along with Teresa of Avila, John successfully reformed the Carmelite order and reintroduced the “way down” to many Christians.
- John’s teachings on the dark night of the soul have comforted many experiencing loss or tragedy.
- The dark night is related to the concept of “the path of descent,” often triggered by failure or loss.
- The dark night can reveal our deepest longings and ultimately lead to an experience of God’s longing for us.