“I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door – or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.“

Have you ever felt utterly alone in a seemingly meaningless universe? A sense of emptiness, a loss of direction, and a fading hope can leave us feeling adrift. If this resonates, you might be traversing what’s known as the “dark night of the soul.”

The dark night of the soul is a transformative, albeit challenging, phase of personal growth. It’s a period where individuals experience a profound shift in their understanding of life and their place within it. This newfound awareness often necessitates a painful shedding of outdated beliefs and frameworks that once provided a sense of meaning and purpose.

While the term itself might sound enigmatic, the experience is far from uncommon. It echoes across various disciplines – religion, mythology, and psychology – each offering its unique interpretation.

In psychology, we encounter related concepts like the “existential crisis,” where individuals grapple with questions of meaning and purpose. Similarly, certain forms of depression can mirror the feelings of emptiness and despair associated with the dark night.

Other parallels can be found in shamanic traditions, where the notion of “soul loss” or the “descent to the underworld” describes a journey into the depths of one’s being. In Greek mythology, we have the concept of “katabasis,” a hero’s journey into the underworld, often symbolizing a transformative ordeal.

The term “dark night of the soul” itself stems from the writings of the 16th-century mystic, St. John of the Cross. In his untitled poem, he eloquently portrays the anguish of feeling separated from the divine during his imprisonment.