Journey with St. John of the Cross through the Dark Night to Divine Intimacy: A Spiritual Direction Guide and Study Resource

Journey with St. John of the Cross through the Dark Night to Divine Intimacy: A Spiritual Direction Guide and Study Resource leads the reader through St. John of the Cross’ masterpieces: The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and The Dark Night–a spiritual journey through the dark nights of faith, hope and love to intimacy and transformation in God. John of the Cross is a Doctor of the Catholic Church in mystical theology, and his teachings are profound but not always immediately grasped without some guidance. This book gives clear and thorough explanations of John’s theology and technical theological language. The book is meant to be a good balance of St. John’s pedagogical material and teachings on prayer and the stages of the spiritual life, as well as inspirational mentoring for the practice of prayer–especially supernatural contemplative prayer. Thus, it includes a comprehensive section of practical suggestions for prayer, as well as an extensive section on John’s wise spiritual direction guidance for each of the dark nights. In addition to explaining John’s mystical theology and terminology, the book includes useful diagrams and charts that summarize important material and includes an extra section of Supplemental Material with a Glossary of Terms, and another containing a description of the Mystical Favors that John describes in his works. A unique feature of this book is a section on the biological, neurological and psychological human elements that have an impact on the spiritual aspects of Christian living, with practical suggestions for moving forward in the spiritual life, and helpful resources in Appendices 1 and 2. This book is a guide for personal spiritual growth, and a reference for spiritual directors. It can be helpful for beginners in prayer, those in stalemate in their prayer life, or those proficient in prayer. It would be of value to Clergy, Apostolic Religious, Lay Associates, Carmelites, and for those in initial religious formation. The audience for this book can be anyone with an interest in growing in prayer and knowing St. John’s profound mystical theology. Prayer groups, religious educators, and anyone seeking a deeper prayer life, or who find themselves in a bewildering or frightening Dark Night will find support, gain new insights and be enriched from St. John’s personal experience and teachings on the Dark Night of the soul.