Synopses & Reviews
Distinguished psychiatrist, spiritual counselor, and bestselling author Gerald G. May argues that the "shadow" side of the spiritual life has been trivialized and neglected to our serious detriment. In "The Dark Night of the Soul, Dr. May shows that the dark side is a vital ingredient for deep, authentic, healthy spirituality.
Superficial and naively upbeat spirituality does not heal and enrich the soul; nor does our tendency to relegate deep spiritual growth to mystics and saints help us cope with the fullness of what we experience in life. Only honest, sometimes difficult encounters with what Christian spirituality calls "the dark night of the soul" can lead to true spiritual wholeness.
May emphasizes that the dark night is not necessarily a time of suffering and despair, but rather one of deep transition, during which our lives are clouded and full of mystery as we move through a time of trial and uncertainty to freedom and joy. The darkness of the night implies nothing sinister, but rather that our liberation takes place mysteriously, in secret, and beyond our conscious control.
May draws on the great Christian spiritual teachings and writings on the "dark night," especially by John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, on other spiritual traditions, psychiatric ideas and resources, and on poetry and literature. "The Dark Night of the Soul embraces the universal spiritual experience of disorientation, doubt, fear, emptiness, "dryness," and despair, all of which are ingredients in developing a mature, authentic spiritual life.
Review
“Mays book uses the same title in an attempt to both clarify and amplify St. John of the Crosss original work, and to place it in a modern setting.... A vivid picture of a young man with a deep love for God and brilliant intellect.” Conversations Journal
Synopsis
Gerald G. May, M.D., one of the great spiritual teachers and writers of our time, argues that much to our detriment, the dark "shadow" side of true spiritual life has been trivialized and neglected. Superficial and naively upbeat spirituality does not heal and enrich the soul; nor does the tendency to relegate deep spiritual growth to mystics and saints. Only the honest, sometimes difficult encounters with what St. John of the Cross describes as "the dark night of the soul" can lead to true spiritual wholeness.
Drawing on the resources of great Christian writings as well as other spiritual traditions, psychiatric theory, and literature, May emphasizes that the "dark night" is not necessarily a time of suffering and despair, but rather an opportunity for transition and transformation. The Dark Night of the Soul embraces the universal spiritual experience of doubt, fear, emptiness, and despair, all of which are ingredients in developing a mature, authentic spiritual life. The dark gives depth, dimension, and fullness to enlightenment.
Gerald May, M.D., (1940-2005) was a psychiatrist and spiritual counselor and Senior Fellow in Contemplative Theology and Psychology at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, MD. He wrote many books and articles blending spirituality and psychology, including Addiction and Grace and The Awakened Heart.
" May] becomes a messenger of hope, reminding readers that every dark night brings the sweet dawn of awakening."
-Publishers Weekly
--Conversations Journal
Synopsis
Now in paperback: a distinguished psychiatrist, spiritual counsellor and bestselling author shows how the dark sides of the spiritual life are a vital ingredient in deep, authentic, healthy spirituality.
Gerald G. May, MD, one of the great spiritual teachers and writers of our time, argues that the dark 'shadow' side of the true spiritual life has been trivialised and neglected to our serious detriment. Superficial and naively upbeat spirituality does not heal and enrich the soul. Nor does the other tendency to relegate deep spiritual growth to only mystics and saints. Only the honest, sometimes difficult encounters with what Christian spirituality has called and described in helpful detail as 'the dark night of the soul' can lead to true spiritual wholeness.
May emphasises that the dark night is not necessarily a time of suffering and near despair, but a time of deep transition, a search for new orientation when things are clouded and full of mystery. The dark gives depth, dimension and fullness to the spiritual life.
About the Author
Gerald G. May, M.D., practiced medicine and psychiatry for twenty-five years before joining the full-time staff at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland, where he is now Senior Fellow in Contemplative Theology and Psychology. He is the author of many books and articles blending spirituality and psychology, including Addiction and Grace, Care of Mind/Care of Spirit, Will and Spirit, and The Awakened Heart.