Original Text(~250 words)
CHAPTER IX Of the signs by which it will be known that the spiritual person is walking along the way of this night and purgation of sense. The first sign is: If the soul finds no pleasure or consolation in the things of God, it also fails to find it in any thing created. For, as God sets the soul in this dark night to the end that He may quench and purge its sensual desire, He allows it not to find attraction or sweetness in anything whatsoever. By this sign it can in all probability be understood that this dryness and distaste are not the result of sins or imperfections newly committed; for, if this were so, the soul would feel in its nature some inclination to things other than those of God. Because, whenever desire is allowed indulgence in any imperfection, it immediately causes desire and attraction toward it. The second sign is: If the soul ordinarily has an anxious care for God, thinking that it is not serving God, but is backsliding, because it finds itself without sweetness in the things of God, it is a good sign that this lack of sweetness and dryness proceed from purgation and not from sins or imperfections. For had they been the result of sins or imperfections, the soul would not have this anxious concern but would feel altogether indifferent. The third and surest sign is: If the soul can no longer meditate or reflect with the imagination as it...
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Summary
John of the Cross provides three concrete signs to help spiritual seekers recognize when they're actually making progress during difficult periods, even when it feels like they're moving backward. The first sign is losing pleasure in both spiritual and worldly things - when nothing brings the old satisfaction anymore. This isn't depression or sin, but rather God weaning the soul from dependence on emotional highs and material comforts. The second sign is feeling anxious about not serving God well enough, constantly worrying about spiritual failure. Paradoxically, this very concern indicates spiritual health - someone truly backsliding wouldn't care. The third and most reliable sign is the inability to meditate or pray in old familiar ways, no matter how hard you try. The imagination that once helped you connect with the divine now feels blocked. John explains this happens because God is transitioning the soul from relating through images and emotions to pure spiritual communion. These three signs together indicate authentic spiritual purgation rather than spiritual decline. For modern readers, this framework helps distinguish between genuine growth periods (which often feel uncomfortable) and actual regression. It validates the experience of feeling spiritually 'stuck' or empty as potentially positive, challenging our culture's obsession with constant emotional satisfaction and measurable progress.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Purgation
A spiritual cleansing process where God removes the soul's attachments to comfort and pleasure. It's like divine tough love - temporarily taking away what feels good so you can grow stronger.
Modern Usage:
We see this in recovery programs where people have to give up all their coping mechanisms to heal properly.
Sensual desire
Not just sexual desire, but any craving for physical or emotional comfort - food, entertainment, praise, even spiritual feelings. John sees these as training wheels that eventually need to come off.
Modern Usage:
This is what we call being addicted to dopamine hits - always needing the next like, purchase, or experience to feel okay.
Dryness
The absence of emotional satisfaction in spiritual practice. Prayer feels empty, nothing moves you, and you question if God is even there. John says this is actually progress.
Modern Usage:
It's like when a relationship moves past the honeymoon phase - less exciting but potentially deeper.
Meditation
In John's time, this meant using your imagination to picture biblical scenes or think through spiritual concepts. It was the main way people connected with God.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we use guided visualizations, affirmations, or even binge-watching shows to process emotions.
Dark night
A period when all your usual sources of meaning and comfort disappear, leaving you feeling lost and abandoned. John argues this emptiness is necessary for spiritual growth.
Modern Usage:
We call this a 'quarter-life crisis' or 'midlife crisis' - when everything you thought mattered suddenly feels pointless.
Backsliding
The fear that you're moving backward spiritually, losing ground you've already gained. John says worrying about this is actually a good sign.
Modern Usage:
It's like thinking you're failing at your diet when you're actually building sustainable habits instead of quick fixes.
Characters in This Chapter
The spiritual person
Protagonist seeker
Someone trying to grow spiritually but experiencing confusion and emptiness instead of the expected peace and joy. They're the main focus of John's guidance in this chapter.
Modern Equivalent:
The person in therapy wondering if they're getting worse because they feel more anxious
God
Divine teacher
Actively working to wean the soul from dependence on emotional highs and material comforts. Portrayed as a loving but strict parent who removes training wheels.
Modern Equivalent:
The tough-love coach who pushes you past your comfort zone
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when feeling worse actually indicates moving forward, not backward.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel dissatisfied with things that used to work - ask yourself if you might be outgrowing them rather than failing at them.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"God sets the soul in this dark night to the end that He may quench and purge its sensual desire"
Context: Explaining why spiritual people suddenly lose pleasure in everything
John reframes suffering as purposeful divine action rather than punishment or abandonment. This gives meaning to periods of emptiness and suggests they're temporary and necessary.
In Today's Words:
Sometimes life has to take away your usual comforts so you can learn to be okay without them.
"The soul ordinarily has an anxious care for God, thinking that it is not serving God, but is backsliding"
Context: Describing the second sign of authentic spiritual progress
Paradoxically, worrying about your spiritual state indicates spiritual health. Someone truly regressing wouldn't care enough to be anxious about it.
In Today's Words:
If you're worried you're not doing enough, you're probably doing better than you think.
"The soul can no longer meditate or reflect with the imagination as it was wont to do"
Context: Explaining the third and most reliable sign of spiritual purgation
When old methods of connection stop working, it doesn't mean you're broken - it means you're ready for a new level. The inability to use familiar tools signals growth, not failure.
In Today's Words:
When your old ways of coping or connecting stop working, it might mean you're ready for something deeper.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Uncomfortable Growth
The uncomfortable space between outgrowing old patterns and mastering new ones, where progress feels like regression.
Thematic Threads
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
John describes the soul's transition from beginner to advanced spiritual practice through necessary discomfort
Development
Central theme emerging - growth requires leaving familiar territory
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when old hobbies bore you or career satisfaction disappears without clear reason
Identity
In This Chapter
The seeker loses their identity as someone who finds comfort in familiar spiritual practices
Development
Continues identity theme - who are we when our usual markers fail?
In Your Life:
You might feel this when people say you've changed and you're not sure if that's good or bad
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The anxiety about not serving God well enough reflects internalized expectations about spiritual performance
Development
Developing theme of external pressure creating internal doubt
In Your Life:
You might experience this as worry about not being a good enough parent, employee, or partner
Class
In This Chapter
The text assumes readers have leisure for extended spiritual practice, reflecting class privilege
Development
Subtle class assumptions continue throughout the work
In Your Life:
You might notice how self-improvement advice often ignores the reality of working multiple jobs or caring for family
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The relationship with the divine mirrors how we relate to others during periods of change
Development
Introduced here - relationship dynamics during transition periods
In Your Life:
You might see this when relationships feel strained during your own periods of major change
Modern Adaptation
When Nothing Feels Right Anymore
Following Juan's story...
Maya used to love her work at the animal shelter - the puppies, the grateful families, even the sad cases felt meaningful. Lately, nothing brings that same satisfaction. The cute moments feel hollow, the thank-yous ring empty. She's also lost interest in her usual escapes - Netflix binges, shopping trips with friends, even her favorite Thai restaurant tastes bland. Worse, she's constantly anxious about her performance, convinced she's becoming a terrible employee despite her supervisor's praise. When she tries her old stress-relief methods - journaling, calling her mom, taking long baths - nothing works. Her mind won't settle. She's starting to panic that she's having some kind of breakdown, that maybe she's just not cut out for caring work anymore. But three coworkers have mentioned she seems 'different' - more thoughtful, asking deeper questions about animal welfare policies and shelter funding.
The Road
The road Saint Juan walked in 1578, Maya walks today. The pattern is identical: losing satisfaction in familiar comforts, anxiety about spiritual performance, and old coping methods suddenly failing - all signs of authentic growth, not regression.
The Map
This chapter provides a framework for distinguishing between genuine evolution and actual decline. Maya can use these three signs to recognize she's not failing but transitioning to a deeper level of engagement with her work and life.
Amplification
Before reading this, Maya might have forced herself back into old patterns or quit her job in panic. Now she can NAME this as growth transition, PREDICT the discomfort is temporary, and NAVIGATE it by staying present rather than retreating to what no longer serves her.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to John of the Cross, what are the three signs that indicate spiritual progress rather than spiritual decline?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does John argue that losing satisfaction in old spiritual practices might actually be a good sign rather than evidence of failure?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a time when you outgrew something that used to bring you satisfaction - a job, hobby, or relationship. How did that transition feel, and what signs indicated you were ready for something new?
application • medium - 4
When someone you know is going through a difficult transition and feeling like they're failing, how could you help them recognize whether it's genuine struggle or growth discomfort?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about our culture's expectation that progress should always feel good and be measurable?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Growth Discomfort
Think of an area in your life where you feel stuck, anxious, or dissatisfied despite trying hard. Apply John's three signs: Are you losing satisfaction in old approaches? Do you feel worried about not doing well enough? Have your usual coping strategies stopped working? Write down what you discover about whether this might be growth discomfort rather than actual failure.
Consider:
- •Growth often feels like going backward before moving forward
- •Anxiety about performance can actually indicate you care deeply about improvement
- •Old methods stopping work might mean you're ready for new approaches, not that you're broken
Journaling Prompt
Write about a past transition that felt terrible at the time but led to positive growth. What would you tell someone going through similar discomfort now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 10: Learning to Let Go and Wait
In the next chapter, you'll discover to recognize when old methods of problem-solving no longer work, and learn forcing solutions during difficult times can make things worse. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.