The Dark Knight of the Soul

The Dark Knight of the Soul. Upon reading this title, one might instantly imagine and catch the sound of a blaring, gothic organ from the likes of that musical 'Phantom of the Opera', sound like thrilling thunder into an inner ear. Likewise, a prospective reader might instantly picture a semi depressed, semi angsty monk peering longingly outside the window of a grey stone tower. One might, on the the event of seeing this title, run for their life, for fear they may encounter a book which determines an inescapable and unignorable doom. Or an ecstatic creature might, being themselves a compulsive adorer of all things melancholic, raise up this literary spiritual classic, clutch it to their breast and whisper whimsically, “at last, a book title for my SOUL!” However, when the thrill seeking reader peeks open the pages and peers into the dry writings of this well weathered and wise saint of the Dark Ages, indeed a content awaits them unsuspectingly sensible, practical, humbling, and convicting.

St. John of the Cross, from his writings, gives one the impression that he was a man who could read your soul, and know any kind of inauthenticity within the practices of a believer. His writings convey a man of immense spiritual insight into the soul of mankind, which he illustrates through exact language. A reader might find both grave conviction of one's sins and flaws in their spiritual practices, as well as consolation in the varying dark knights which are presented to him. Clarity and illumination aid the reader upon their journey. For example, St John discusses the difficulties experienced by one who is deprived by God of the ability to take any consolation in prayer. He describes how often the soul in drawn into a kind of silence and stillness in prayer, which he may deem scrupulously to be a danger to his soul. However, St. John affirms the reader, encouraging him that spiritual practices performed to awaken oneself from this slumber of sorts are not only useless, but prevent the grace of God working in this soul through this dark knight. He describes, that in this kind of silence and stillness, God wishes to teach the soul contemplation, and through contemplation, love.

St. John describes the various stages of the spiritual life, along, quite unsparingly, with the many faults which accompany this state, as well as the stages of darkness which purify the soul and bring it to a more genuine relation with God. This book may serve as an affective source of examination of conscious. As well as increase the awareness of the reader to various temptations provided in each state, and one can be assured, his examples are cooly poignant and exact. This book might also be a great read for those approaching Easter, during the lenten season, who desire a deeper insight into their relationship with God, and as well for those seeking direction and clarity during dark and confusing times of spiritual dryness.

But what authority has this bold reader of souls? Who is he to tell us of the progressions made of the souls of billions towards God? A man who's father abandoned the riches of nobility and the respect of his family to marry a poor woman for love, a man who grew up in starvation inside the wealthiest city in Spain, a man who earned his wages working in a home for the mentally disabled and dying where he grew in love and his eyes were sharpened to look for beauty in blackness, a man whose own community imprisoned and frequently beet him when he suggested they return to a life of prayer. This man understood and found in darkness, solitude, and nothingness the wealth of the existence and love of God. Before such a man, one should hesitate to question. His life was one of heroic virtue, and an ardent love of God.

This book is, if anything, a saving grace for the wayward, and an encouragement to the soul who is privileged enough to be tried by God's justice and mercy.

A copy of this book may be found on Amazon.com, the EWTN bookstore, and at Pauline Books.