MSI Press Blog

  Spiritual writers—most famously St. John of the Cross—speak of two “dark nights” that mark the deepening of the interior life: the dark night of the senses and the dark night of the soul . The language can sound dramatic, even ominous, but these nights are not punishments. They are thresholds. They describe what happens when the familiar scaffolding of our spiritual life is quietly removed so that something truer, freer, and more God‑shaped can emerge. Understanding the difference between these two nights helps us recognize where we are, what is being asked of us, and why the experience—though disorienting—can be profoundly good. 1. The Dark Night of the Senses: When the Old Supports Fall Away The first night is the more common and the more easily misunderstood. It occurs when the external and emotional “props” of the spiritual life stop working . What it feels like Prayer becomes dry, even boring. The practices that once brought comfort no longer “feel” spiritual. Old habits of...

  Not everyone who seeks God sits in a sanctuary on Sunday morning. Across the country, a quiet shift is unfolding: people who identify as deeply spiritual are stepping outside traditional church walls. They’re not abandoning faith. They’re reimagining it. Who Are They? They’re the “spiritual but not religious.” They’re the “dones”—those who once belonged to a church but left. They’re mystics, meditators, wanderers, and wounded believers. They’re people who still pray, still seek, still listen for the sacred—but not in pews. Where Are They? Nature trails and quiet gardens , where the wind feels like a benediction. Online communities , where spiritual conversations unfold without dogma. Living rooms and coffee shops , where small circles gather for reflection, storytelling, and shared silence. Retreat centers , where solitude and soul work replace sermons. Art studios, yoga mats, and journals , where creativity becomes communion. Why Did They Leave? The reasons are as ...

  The Overlap Between Feeling and Meaning Emotional intelligence (EQ) and spirituality may seem like separate domains—one psychological, the other transcendent—but they share a common goal: understanding the self and connecting meaningfully with others. Both cultivate awareness, empathy, and peace. Where EQ teaches us to manage emotions wisely, spirituality teaches us to see those emotions as part of a larger human experience. Shared Foundations Self-awareness: Emotional intelligence begins with recognizing what we feel and why. Spirituality deepens that awareness by asking what those feelings reveal about our values and purpose. Empathy and compassion: EQ helps us sense others’ emotions; spirituality invites us to respond with compassion rather than judgment. Mindfulness and presence: Both encourage living in the moment—EQ through emotional regulation, spirituality through practices like meditation or prayer. Transcending ego: Emotional maturity and spiritual growth both requi...