Dark Night of the Soul: A New Translation

In Dark Night of the Soul, St. John of the Cross offers a penetrating account of one of the most mysterious and misunderstood phases of the spiritual journey: the dark night. Often mistaken for despair or divine absence, this dark night is in fact a mysterious work of grace, where God removes all that is not Himself. Through a detailed commentary on his own mystical poem, St. John divides this experience into two stages: the night of sense, where the soul is detached from worldly pleasures, and the night of spirit, where even spiritual insights and feelings are taken away. In this silence and darkness, the soul learns to rely on faith alone. This darkness is not a punishment, but a hidden grace–a way in which God empties the soul of all that is less than Himself, so that it may be filled with the fullness of His presence.As a companion to Ascent of Mount Carmel, which outlines the path of spiritual ascent, Dark Night gives voice to the soul’s interior trials during that climb. This new translation by Anthony K. Irvine makes St. John’s rich theology accessible to the modern reader, preserving the depth and beauty of the original text. An essential guide for those navigating the silence of God, this classic work reveals the invisible grace at the heart of spiritual suffering. Read more