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...

  We often imagine spiritual growth as a staircase: each step deliberate, upward, and earned. But in truth, it’s more like a tide—sometimes rushing in with clarity and grace, other times receding into silence and shadow. What prompts growth? Not just prayer or practice, but rupture. Illness, loss, transition, contradiction. The moment when our tidy frameworks collapse and we’re left asking, “What now?” These are the sacred thresholds. Not because they feel holy, but because they strip us of illusion and invite us into deeper truth. And no, it’s not predictable. You can’t schedule an awakening. You can’t force insight. You can prepare the soil—through presence, humility, and community—but the seed sprouts when it’s ready. Sometimes in the middle of a crisis. Sometimes while washing dishes. Spiritual growth resists measurement. It loops, stalls, surprises. It asks us to trust the compost as much as the bloom. So, if you feel stuck, or messy, or unsure—good. You’re probably growi...

  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...