The dark night of the soul is a period of spiritual desolation or crisis of meaning, a phrase from the Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross. This guide covers the mystical origin, the signs, how it differs from depression, and gentle ways to move through it.
Key Takeaways
- The phrase comes from St. John of the Cross (1542 to 1591).
- Many traditions describe similar periods of darkness before renewal.
- It can overlap with depression; seek help if in doubt.
- In the U.S., call or text 988 in a crisis.
- Be patient, stay connected and keep a gentle practice.
In This Guide
- What Is the Dark Night of the Soul?
- The Original: St. John of the Cross
- Similar Experiences in Other Traditions
- Common Signs
- Dark Night vs Depression
- How to Move Through It
- What Often Comes After
- Go Deeper: Becoming Nobody: Stop Fixing Yourself
- Learn More on Next Level Soul
- Books on the Dark Night
- Watch and Listen on Next Level Soul TV
- Where to Go Next
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Dark Night of the Soul?
The “dark night of the soul” is a phrase for a period of spiritual desolation, when meaning, faith or inner guidance seem to vanish and life feels empty or confusing. It comes from the Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross (1542 to 1591), whose poem Noche oscura and its commentary describe the soul passing through darkness toward union with God. Today the phrase is used more widely for deep crises of meaning, often after loss, burnout or a spiritual awakening. It is not the same as clinical depression, though the two can overlap, and the difference matters. Read on for both the mystical view and a practical guide.
The Original: St. John of the Cross
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Dark night of the senses | Spiritual consolations and pleasures fade; practice feels dry |
| Dark night of the spirit | A deeper purification where the sense of God’s presence seems absent |
| Union | Light returns as the soul is transformed |
St. John wrote in the late 1500s. Teresa of Avila, his friend and teacher, wrote of similar dryness in her works, including The Interior Castle. Centuries later, Mother Teresa’s private letters, published in Come Be My Light (2007), revealed decades of inner darkness, which many found reassuring.
Similar Experiences in Other Traditions
| Tradition | Parallel |
|---|---|
| Buddhism | The “dark night” or “dukkha nanas” stage described in some insight meditation maps |
| Hindu and yogic paths | Periods of purification and intense inner clearing |
| Sufism | Stations of longing and separation before union |
| Jewish mysticism | The “hiding of the face” and exile of the soul |
| Jungian psychology | Confrontation with the shadow; a descent before renewal |
| Theosophy and Cayce readings | Testing and purification on the spiritual path |
Researcher Willoughby Britton at Brown University has studied difficult meditation experiences and found that some people struggle after intensive practice. Support from qualified teachers matters.
Common Signs
- Loss of meaning or purpose
- Feeling cut off from God, spirit or your inner guidance
- Old beliefs or identities falling away
- Grief, loneliness or numbness
- Withdrawal from things that once brought joy
- A sense of waiting without knowing what for
Dark Night vs Depression
| Dark Night of the Soul | Clinical Depression |
|---|---|
| Centered on meaning and spiritual loss | Broad low mood, loss of interest and energy |
| Often follows a spiritual shift or major loss | May have no clear trigger |
| Core sense of self often stays intact | May include hopelessness and worthlessness |
| May bring insight over time | Needs assessment and care |
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or feel unable to cope, please reach out now. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Outside the U.S., contact local emergency services or a crisis line. A spiritual frame does not replace professional care, and the two can work together.
How to Move Through It
- Do not rush. The mystics say darkness has a purpose, but you need support.
- Keep simple routines. Sleep, food, movement and light.
- Stay connected. Talk to a trusted friend, teacher or counselor.
- Keep a gentle practice. Even two minutes of quiet. See our meditation guide and mindfulness practices.
- Write. Journaling helps you see the shape of what is changing.
- Let go of “should.” Allow old identities to fall away.
- Seek professional help if the darkness is heavy or lasts.
What Often Comes After
Many people who describe passing through a dark night say they emerged with a quieter faith, more compassion, less need for certainty and a clearer sense of purpose. Others describe a slow return rather than a sudden dawn. Eckhart Tolle has spoken of a night of despair that preceded his awakening. These accounts are stories of hope, not promises.
Learn about spiritual awakening signs and the paths in spiritual enlightenment.
Go Deeper: Becoming Nobody: Stop Fixing Yourself with Kyle Cease
The dark night strips away the identity you have been holding together. Kyle Cease meets that moment in his Next Level Soul Mastery course, with a simple invitation: stop fixing yourself and let what is real remain.
Join Kyle as he guides you through a radical shift, from fixing yourself to freeing yourself. This course gives you practical, experiential insights you can apply immediately to how you live, feel, and relate to the world.
What you will walk away with
- Release the “somebody” self
- Choose yourself
- Trust your own knowing
- Heal through the heart
8 lessons, part of Next Level Soul Mastery, our collection of in-depth courses.
Learn More on Next Level Soul
- Spiritual Awakening Signs. What the shift can feel like. Read the guide
- Spiritual Enlightenment. Paths and stages. Read the guide
- How to Meditate. Gentle ways to begin. Read the guide
- Living With Purpose. Finding meaning again. Read the guide
Books on the Dark Night
- Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. The original.
- The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald May. A psychiatrist’s view.
- Dark Nights of the Soul by Thomas Moore. A modern guide.
- Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa. Her private letters.
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Meaning through suffering.
As an Amazon Associate, Next Level Soul earns from qualifying purchases.
Watch and Listen on Next Level Soul TV
These titles from the Next Level Soul TV catalog go deeper into this topic.
- Humanity’s Dark Night of the Soul with Kyle Cease. Episode.
- Surviving a Dark Night of the Soul with Guy Pearce. Episode.
- Rebirth: Having a Dark Night of the Soul with Moby. Episode.
- Spiritually Awake or Just Crazy? with Dimitri Moraitis. Episode.
- A Man’s Astounding Spiritual Awakening with Bruce Joel Rubin. Episode.
- NLS Mastery: Becoming Nobody. NLS Mastery training.
- The Inner Path. Audio course.
- The Conquest of Fear. Audiobook on NLS TV.
- Secret to Spiritual Awakening with Ora Nadrich. Episode.
- Awakening in a Chaotic World with Loch Kelly. Episode.
Where to Go Next
- Spiritual awakening signs
- Spiritual enlightenment
- Living with purpose
- Mindfulness practices
- How to meditate
- Go deeper with Next Level Soul Mastery, our collection of in-depth courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Dark Night of the Soul?
A period of spiritual desolation or crisis of meaning. The phrase comes from St. John of the Cross, a 16th-century Spanish mystic.
Who Wrote Dark Night of the Soul?
St. John of the Cross (1542 to 1591), in his poem Noche oscura and its commentary.
What Are the Signs of a Dark Night of the Soul?
Loss of meaning, feeling cut off from spirit, old identities falling away, grief or numbness, and withdrawal from usual joys.
How Long Does a Dark Night of the Soul Last?
It varies widely, from weeks to years. There is no fixed timeline.
Is the Dark Night of the Soul the Same as Depression?
No, but they can overlap. If you feel hopeless or unable to cope, seek professional help. In the U.S., call or text 988.
How Do I Get Through a Dark Night of the Soul?
Be patient, keep simple routines, stay connected to trusted people, keep a gentle practice and seek professional help if needed.
Did Mother Teresa Experience a Dark Night?
Her private letters, published in Come Be My Light (2007), describe decades of spiritual dryness.
What Comes After the Dark Night of the Soul?
Many people describe greater compassion, quieter faith and clearer purpose. Experiences vary.
