The dark night of the soul can be looked at as a form of death, with the understanding that death is indeed a new beginning. It can also be viewed as a crisis of the soul. What does a dark night of the soul look like? What does it feel like? Let’s explore.
What Is the Dark Night of the Soul and Its Spiritual Context?
The dark night of the soul is a stage in our personal development where we undergo transformations that may not make sense at the time. Our hardcore belief structures may be tested.
We may feel like we are losing all meaning and purpose in life, including a connection to GodSource. We may think our family and friends no longer understand us as we shed old belief structures.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives
One of the earliest teachings of the dark night of the soul stems from the Catholic religion from the 1600s when a Catholic Saint started writing about losing touch with God and plunging into an emptiness or hollowness.
Psychologists such as Carl Jung and many shamans discuss the dark night of the soul. Greek mythology viewed it as a descent into the underworld or hell.
Signs and Symptoms of the Dark Night of the Soul
When someone experiences a dark night, it can feel like a spiritual depression. It can be labeled as an existential crisis. Many people are becoming aware that what we thought was true is not.
Those essential elements we understood as tried and true no longer hold up.
You may find yourself contemplating heavier questions such as: what is your purpose? Why are you here? Is there more to life?
Common Emotional and Psychological Experiences During This Spiritual Phase
You may find your emotions become more intense. Sadness, hopelessness, and frustrations become more profound, and we feel them more than we ever had in the past.
We also may find we feel an irrational sense of homesickness.
You are literally home, but you feel homesick and don’t know why. You may feel homesick for the universe, the birthplace of your soul, while you are on this mortal journey.
How to Recognize If You’re Experiencing the Dark Night of the Soul
One of the most common signs is the feeling of being detached from life and those around you. You may not feel like you belong. You may also find that those activities you looked forward to are no longer enjoyable.
The world may feel flat. It can make you feel disarmed and not protected.
Experiencing a sudden loss, a death, or any devastation or setbacks that you deem to be unfair may be the trigger to entering the dark night of the soul.
The Purpose Behind the Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul is a form of shedding a façade of who we thought we were and learning who we truly are as a soul. It helps us remove illusions of what we thought served our greater good and aligns us with the Divine.
Spiritual Growth and Awakening Through the Dark Night
We can be afforded many opportunities to clear out negative karma. This form of spiritual growth allows us to break old, non-productive attachments and free ourselves of false constraints.
The Role of Shadow Work in Navigating This Period
The role of shadow work is to release what no longer serves you. Shadow work is critical to get to the other side of this existential soul crisis.
The shadow work affords us the shedding of the layers for deeper insights and understanding.
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How to Navigate the Dark Night of the Soul
Know that you are not alone in these experiences. This part of humanity is reserved for those who are truly on a spiritual path and who know they are living a soul-centric life.
Practical Steps to Maintain Emotional and Mental Balance
Learning how to relax and breathe will help to rebalance yourself—also, being in nature as much as possible. When we are in nature, it is easier to connect to our higher self and learn to listen to our soul and what we need.
Maintain a good diet and exercise routine.
You may need to limit meditating for a while. Mediation can amplify anxiety during this time, which can set you back. Trust your intuition on this.
Set intentions for when you go to sleep. Ask to be afforded an understanding of why you are going through this. What is the purpose? What is the objective once you get to the other side?
Seeking Guidance and Support During Challenging Spiritual Times
Experiencing a dark night of the soul is not for the weak or faint of heart. This is a challenging time, and it is wise to seek out support and guidance. We need to know we are not alone and that there is a purpose to these experiences.
The Light at the End of the Dark Night
Woo hoo! Getting to this point will be lightening and enlightening. This is due to the shedding of those repressed aspects of your ego: your fears, traumas, and unresolved hurts.
Remember the phrase, “It’s darkest before dawn.”
The reintegration process of who you have become and are becoming is a strong force that will allow added wisdom and strength for your spiritual path.
Personal Transformation and Rebirth After the Dark Night of the Soul
When we get to the other side of this, we can let go of irrational fears, our egos diminish, and we have new insights into life, spirituality, and the higher realms.
We come out the other side with new perspectives on life, more resilience, and a precious inner knowing that our souls are eternal.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul is a natural part of a person’s spiritual evolution. It also provides deep soul healing and restoration as we emerge from it. Working with a trusted spiritual practitioner can be helpful. As always, find someone who is right for you.
A Spiritual Consultation, or a series of them, can assist you to navigate these tricky waters quicker and help to gain a deeper understanding of you and your soul.
