The Soul's Night and Awakening

Sometimes, in the spiritual journey, there are phases when the inner engine simply won’t start. Outwardly, one functions – going to work, completing tasks, even socializing – but inwardly something feels paralyzed. It is not a physical paralysis, but a spiritual one: a type of mental lethargy , as if an invisible wall blocks every connection to the source. The will to seek God or one’s higher purpose is present – yet every attempt seems to bounce off that wall. And here lies the tragedy: many begin to blame themselves: "lazy."  This inner blockage is not a sign of laziness. It is a recognized spiritual experience, documented across centuries – yet its meaning was often distorted and moralized. Origins: A recognized spiritual test In the early Christian tradition, among the Desert Fathers , this state had a name: acedia . Evagrius Ponticus (4th century) called it the “ noonday demon ” – not as moral failure, but as a mental exhaustion that could visit a monk in deep solitude. ...

The thought of death reveals itself in very different contexts— from philosophical reflection, through emotional crisis, to spiritual transcendence. This timeless post introduces four distinct perspectives: stoic reflection, suicidal thoughts arising from crisis or depression, poetic melancholy, and finally the mystical experience of the Dark Night of the Soul. The aim is not just rational clarity but also possible paths to hope—especially through the contemplative way outlined by John of the Cross. 1. Stoic Reflection on Death In stoic thought, death is not an enemy but a prompt to live meaningfully. Marcus Aurelius puts it pointedly: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” If we reflect that both the longest-lived and shortest-lived person give up the same thing— the present moment—then the point becomes clear: “When the longest-lived and the shortest-lived man, when they come to die, their loss is precisely equal.  For the sole thing...

Introduction Today, we are pleased to share a special guest post from Sebastian. Sebastian* has kindly agreed to share his personal experience of what is often called the “dark night of the soul”—a deeply personal and sometimes difficult journey. Sebastian is the oldest of three siblings. From a young age, he learned responsibility and resilience. Over the years, he has faced challenges: difficult colleagues, small and large injustices, and moments of quiet despair. But he has also had unexpected encounters with a deeper reality he never imagined. In his post, he shares how he first sensed God’s presence, how it brought moments of happiness but also heightened awareness of the struggles and flaws in others, and how he continues to navigate life with this awareness. We are grateful that Sebastian is sharing his story here. Guest Post by Sebastian Early Responsibility I am the oldest of three children. From a young age, I had to take responsibility—sometimes more than a child should. Lo...