Monks reflect on St. John of the Cross
As part of our virtual program of ongoing formation, the monks reflected on the life and teaching of the great Christian mystic St. John of the Cross. The two sessions were led by Dr. Keith Barron, who, as well as having a doctorate in spirituality, is a psychologist.
The first talk from Professor Barron discussed St. John of the Cross’s “Dark Night of the Soul,” including the distinction between Dark Night in spiritual terms and depression. In the second talk, he spoke about a person consumed with the fire of the love of God. He also shared three signs of a relationship with God deepening in John of the Cross. First, the ability to meditate discursively; second, the lack of satisfaction with things of the world; third, the desire to remain alone in loving awareness of God. These are all signs of the old giving way to the new. The monks truly enjoyed their session with Dr. Barron.