Many readers have told me that the Dark Night series has been helpful.
I want to add something on the Dark Night of the Spirit. The Dark Night of the Senses seems more obvious, when God weans one from reliance on sight, sound, taste, feel, and smell. One no longer has any joy or consolation in the life of the senses. People do not understand that the person who is in this state or has gone through this state, simply does not care any longer about art, music, gourmet food, rich fabrics or lovely smells.
God removes consolation so that the senses become purified and heightened for a spiritual journey.
The Dark Night of the Spirit is much more painful. Spiritual consolations have been removed, as well as physical ones. One no longer can rely on old ways of prayer or meditation. Those who guide people in the Dark Night of the Senses remind the person that "this too will pass", but that the suffering becomes more intense.
The litany of humility becomes more important and more real for the person in the Dark Night of the Spirit.
One waits for God. Now and then, for the weaker soul, consolations come, to encourage the person towards purification. But, for the stronger souls, there are no consolations. One prays in faith, hope and love without feeling, without seeing. This darkness absolutely purifies the person so that the virtues can be released. Those pangs of love and longing written about in the books of St. Teresa of Avila belong to the following state of infused contemplation.
Egoism finally dies in the Dark Night of the Spirit.
Those who have persevered come into the Illuminative State, about which I have written on this blog as well.
I have met a few people in this state, but not many.
more later....