Dark Night of the Soul
Rite Therapy↓
What is a dark night of the soul?
The term “Dark Night of the Soul” has both historical and modern connotations:
Historical context:
The concept originates from the 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet, St. John of the Cross.
In his treatise “Dark Night” (Noche Oscura), St. John describes a phase of mystical development.
It follows the stage of illumination, where God’s presence is felt but not yet stable.
The “dark night” represents a period of passive purification of the spirit, leading to mystical union with God.
Modern usage:
Today, the phrase refers to a crisis of faith or a difficult, painful period in one’s life.
It’s not merely about life’s general challenges; instead, it’s a profound inner struggle.
Characteristics include confusion, helplessness, stagnation of the will, and a sense of God’s withdrawal.
Psychologically, it can be transformative, pushing individuals toward deeper self-awareness and growth.
In essence, the “dark night” represents a profound inner journey.
One that transcends ordinary struggles and leads to spiritual and psychological transformation.
Recognising when you are going through a dark night of the soul
In therapy, we need to appreciate and recognise this intense spiritual crisis.
It’s marked by hopelessness, despair, and a dissolution of the ego, allowing space for awakening to one’s true self and higher purpose.
You will feel lost, disconnected, and overwhelmed during this phase.
De-moralisation and Despair
Beyond clinical depression, consider demoralisation—a syndrome separate from depression.
Demoralisation involves distress, subjective incompetence, loss of meaning, lack of social support, pessimism, and hopelessness.
It significantly impacts quality of life, coping styles, and dignity, and is associated with suicidal thoughts
Shift toward the spiritual
Sometimes, we must shift our perspective from the strictly clinical to the spiritual.
Mystics and theologians refer to this as “the dark night of the soul.”
It’s an invitation to explore habits, conditioning, values, and self-relationships deeply.
Despite feeling challenging, it’s an inflection point toward health and healing.
Bridging the gap
This intense spiritual crisis can impact your well-being.
Sometimes, it feels like everything is falling apart, and you’re lost in despair.
As we work together, we’ll explore both psychological and spiritual aspects during this transformative journey.
Necessary suffering?…
In psychotherapy, the concept of necessary suffering acknowledges that growth and healing often involve facing discomfort or pain.
We recognise that you may need to confront difficult emotions, memories, or patterns to achieve positive outcomes. This process is challenging, but it’s essential for personal transformation. Our therapeutic relationship plays a crucial role in supporting you through this journey. Establishing trust, empathy, and collaboration allows us to towards self-awareness and change.
While suffering is not the goal, it becomes necessary when it leads to insight, resilience, and healing.
I also learn from you too, emphasising the importance of connection and compassion in the therapeutic process. Ultimately, this is a delicate balance between challenge and support to assist you to navigate your suffering toward growth and well-being.
Remember, you’re not alone…
WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY ABOUT WORKING WITH ME
Kind words
“Rick, Thank you for all that you've done working with me. I think getting to discuss things with you was truly so healing and helped me develop my emotional intuition more. For that, I cannot thank you enough”
AFTER 4 MONTHS OF WORKING ON INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
“Rick has been incredibly supportive and understanding throughout our sessions. His professionalism and empathy have created a safe space for me to explore my thoughts and feelings. I highly recommend Rick to anyone seeking compassionate and effective online therapy”
AFTER 7 MONTHS OF WORKING ON HISTORICAL FAMILY ISSUES
“Over the past few months Rick and I worked together to tackle lots of historic issues that had continued to effect my life right up until I began therapy! He taught me a great deal about acceptance. The whole process was a real pleasure and has left me in a position I could not have imagined 6 months ago. For that I cannot thank him enough”
AFTER 10 MONTHS OF WORKING ON HISTORICAL FAMILY ISSUES, FATHERHOOD AND LIFE CHANGES
From darkness to light
Can we truly break the chains of our history or are we deemed to an inescapable path guided by fate. The tension between today - modern man in search of a soul - and the shadow beckons the journeyman to contemplate his mortality and relation to the universe.
He navigates the course with child like optimism.
Are his wounds a sacred initiation calling for integration and wholeness?
Are his aspirations to be a better man self deception and delusion?
Is he a multidimensional being or merely a shadow of gods existence?
This tension is inescapable for humanity.
The only way out is through the way in.
The archetype of the journeyman resides inside us all.....and we yearn for our stories to be told.
RITE Therapy: A Really Insightful Therapy Experience
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HEALING YOUR INNER CHILD
Reconnect with your younger you. Inner child work in therapy is about reconnecting with that younger part of yourself,. Your “inner child,” might still be carrying some of the hurts, fears, and insecurities from your childhood.
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WHAT IS SHADOW WORK
The concept of the shadow refers to the unconscious aspects of our personality that are typically rejected or ignored by the conscious self. These may include repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts, and shortcomings.
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WHAT IS A PERSONA
A persona is the social face we present to the world—a kind of mask designed both to make an impression on others and to conceal the true nature of us. Identifying personas can be valuable in therapy for several reasons...
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![Exit the matrix of unresolved historical psychological problems]()
EXIT THE MATRIX
In The Matrix Neo’s decision to take the red pill marks the beginning of his journey to understand and transcend the artificial reality that has imprisoned him. Starting therapy is like choosing the red pill.
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![Our Inner Critical Voice]()
OUR INNER CRITICAL VOICE
Our critical inner voice is a powerful force that can shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It's that internal dialogue that often criticises, judges, and undermines us. Recognising this voice is a crucial step in personal growth.
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![Journey of the hero]()
JOURNEY OF THE HERO
The journey of the hero, often symbolised by venturing into a dark cave to slay a dragon and retrieve gold, is a powerful metaphor for the psychotherapeutic journey my clients undertake to confront and overcome their historical issues.
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![Dark night of the soul]()
DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
Today, the phrase refers to a crisis of faith or a difficult, painful period in one’s life. It’s not merely about life’s general challenges; instead, it’s a profound inner struggle.
Find Some Answer's
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The Dark Night of the Soul is a profound spiritual concept that has been explored by mystics and poets throughout history.
Historical Context:
The term originates from the 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet, St. John of the Cross.
In his treatise Dark Night (Noche Oscura), St. John describes this phase as a passive purification of the spirit.
It follows the illumination phase, during which God’s presence is felt but not yet stable.
Meaning:
The “dark night” represents a period of intense inner turmoil and despair.
It’s marked by confusion, helplessness, and a sense of God’s withdrawal.
The soul undergoes a final purification, surrendering to divine purposes.
Symbolism:
The journey toward mystical union with God is depicted as a night, emphasising the unknowable nature of the divine.
The path itself remains hidden, much like the 14th-century classic The Cloud of Unknowing.
Modern Interpretation:
Beyond its historical context, the phrase now describes crises of faith or difficult life periods.
It’s a time when we face our deepest attachments, undergo ego dissolution, and transform.
The dark night isn’t merely life’s challenges; it’s a profound spiritual process that leads to deeper understanding and union.
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Several triggers can lead to this phase:
Major Life Changes or Losses: Significant events like the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, career changes, or even a major relocation can shake the foundation of your life, prompting deep introspection and existential questioning.
Trauma: Experiencing trauma, witnessing an injustice, or being the victim of abuse can trigger symptoms of the Dark Night of the Soul.
Deep Questioning: A profound questioning of your beliefs, values, and understanding of the world can also lead to this transformative phase.
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The Dark Night of the Soul is an intense experience that not everyone encounters.
It involves a profound transformation where our sense of self and reality dissolves. Unlike depression, which may be linked to external events or neurochemistry, the Dark Night is an internal process. It often includes confusion, helplessness, and a feeling of aloneness. Imagine moving from a state of dissolution to re-observation, with existential crisis and intense pain along the way.
So, it’s not just about life challenges; it’s about discovering “I am nothing” through the process of shedding self-concepts and attachments.
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The Dark Night of the Soul is a profound spiritual crisis marked by hopelessness and despair.
It occurs as the ego dissolves, making space for awakening to one’s true self and higher purpose. The stages of this experience include Spiritual Awakening, Disillusionment, Ego Death, Exploration of the Void, and Rebuilding.
Unlike depression, which may be related to external events or neurochemistry, the Dark Night is an internal process that often involves confusion, helplessness, and a sense of aloneness.
Ultimately, it leads to self-transcendence and self-realisation.
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After the Dark Night of the Soul, several positive transformations often occur:
Self-Confidence and Inner Strength: You develop a strong sense of self-confidence and inner resilience. The intense suffering during the dark night leads to a deeper understanding of your own strength and resilience.
Healing and Wisdom: Old wounds are transformed into wisdom. The pain you experienced becomes a source of insight and growth. You learn from your suffering and use it to navigate life more skillfully.
Heightened Awareness: The dark night of the soul provides a broader perspective on life. You see the “big picture” and gain clarity about your purpose and path. This heightened awareness allows you to make more conscious choices.
Spiritual and Psychological Freedom: You realise that imperfections and vulnerability are part of the self-ego, not your true essence. Accepting this truth brings a sense of freedom and liberation.
The dark night of the soul is a transformative process—a tunnel through which you emerge with greater wisdom, resilience, and understanding.
“There can be no rebirth without a dark night of the soul. A total annihilation of all that you believed in and thought you were ”