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".for in God, or in the state of perfection, all appetites cease. John, this absolute denial of all our appetites is a prerequisite to union with God. Since the things of the world cannot enter the soul, they are not in themselves an encumbrance or harm to it rather, it is the will and appetite dwelling within that cause the damage when set on these things."įor St. This is what leaves it free and empty of all things, even though it possesses them. We are dealing with the denudation of the soul's appetites and gratifications. "Hence, we call this nakedness a night for the soul, for we are not discussing the mere lack of things this lack will not divest the soul if it craves for all these objects. John, hinders our journey toward union with God. This mortification must take place not because the things themselves are bad, but because our attachment to them, according to St. In the Active Night of the Senses, the soul must purposefully deny itself of all attachments to the "things of the world" or its "appetites." Whether it is a desire for sensory pleasure, or attachment to a certain person, object, conception of ourselves, or way of living, the things we normally look to for satisfaction in the world must be denied.

A broad outline of The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Nights is as follows:Īscent Book 1: The Active Night of the SensesĪscent Books 2 and 3: The Active Night of the Spiritĭark Night Book 1: The Passive Night of the Sensesĭark Night Book 2: The Passive Night of the Spiritīook One of The Ascent concerns the first night – the Active Night of the Senses. John's schema involves the progression through the Active Night of the Senses, the Active Night of the Spirit, the Passive Night of the Senses, and the Passive Night of the Spirit. And yet there are nights within that Night.Īlthough he seems to flip back and forth between several different outlines/progressions, in general terms, St. John, to truly advance toward union with God the soul must pass through several "dark nights." He often speaks of the whole spiritual journey, the path from ordinary selfhood to union with God, as one long dark night.