Introduction to the Dark Night
There comes a time in life when everything familiar begins to slip away, and the things you once clung to for comfort and certainty dissolve into shadows. This is the “dark night of the soul,” a phrase that has echoed through centuries of spiritual writing, yet remains a mystery until you live it yourself. It’s not just a period of doubt or confusion—it’s a deep, existential crisis that shakes the very foundation of who you are.
There comes a time in life when everything familiar begins to slip away, and the things you once clung to for comfort and certainty dissolve into shadows. This is the “dark night of the soul,” a phrase that has echoed through centuries of spiritual writing, yet remains a mystery until you live it yourself. It’s not just a period of doubt or confusion—it’s a deep, existential crisis that shakes the very foundation of who you are.
Imagine standing on solid ground, only to feel it give way beneath your feet. The air grows cold, the light fades, and you’re left groping in the darkness, unsure of which way to turn. The dark night is a descent into that void, a place where everything you once believed is called into question. It’s the death of certainty and the birth of something new—though in the midst of it, you might not recognize it as such.
For me, this dark night wasn’t a sudden storm, but a slow, creeping fog that rolled in over years. It began with small cracks in the facade, little doubts that I pushed aside, telling myself they were nothing. But as time went on, those cracks widened, and the doubts grew louder, until I could no longer ignore them. I found myself in a place where all the answers I had relied on no longer made sense, and I was forced to confront the terrifying possibility that everything I believed might be wrong.
Have you experienced your own 'dark night'? How did it shape your faith or personal journey? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re curious about navigating the dark night of the soul, be sure to follow me on Instagram @breakingthetablets for more reflections, or check out my free 5-Day Mindset Challenge.