CHAPTER V
Sets down the first line and begins to explain how this dark contemplation is not only night for the soul but is also grief and torment.
THIS dark night is an inflowing of God into the soul, which purges it from its ignorances and imperfections, habitual natural and spiritual, and which is called by contemplatives infused contemplation, or mystical theology. Herein God secretly teaches the soul and instructs it in perfection of love without its doing anything, or understanding of what manner is this infused contemplation. Inasmuch as it is the loving wisdom of God, God produces striking effects in the soul for, by purging and illumining it, He prepares it for the union of love with God. Wherefore the same loving wisdom that purges the blessed spirits and enlightens them is that which here purges the soul and illumines it.
Though I am not a Catholic nor even a Christian in any sense other than cultural, the Carmelite classic is desperately appropriate right now. Yes, there is still plenty more of this razor's edge for me to traverse on pointe. Forgive me my reticence to discuss the intricacies of my emotional and spiritual unrest, but I'm not really the type.
So, because I can't offer you more insight than 16th-century religious writing, here is a rather precious picture from TheFox's girlie night birthday shindig.
And it's a shame that religious America... well, that more or less covers it I guess.
When it seems appropriate I try to remind folks that nobody enjoyed a good metaphor more than Christ