Dark Night of the Soul Book

Preface     ix
Introduction     xvii
Of the Night of Sense
Begins with the first stanza and treats of the imperfections of beginners     6
Of some spiritual imperfections to which beginners are liable in the matter of pride     9
Of the imperfections into which some beginners are wont to fall, in the matter of the second capital sin, which is avarice, in the spiritual sense     14
Of other imperfections into which some beginners are wont to fall, in the matter of the third sin, which is luxury, spiritually understood     17
Of the imperfections of beginners in the matter of anger     22
Of the imperfections in the matter of spiritual gluttony     24
Of the imperfections in the matter of envy and spiritual sloth     29
Explanation of the first line of the first stanza. 'Beginning of the explanation of the dark night'     32
Of the signs by which it may be known that the spiritual man is walking in the way of this night or purgation of sense     35
How they are to conduct themselves who have entered the dark night     41
Stanza I     45
Of the benefits which the night of sense brings to the soul     49
Of other benefits which the night of sense brings to the soul     56
The last line of the first stanza explained     62
Of the Night of theSpirit
The Second Night; that of the spirit. When it begins     65
Of certain imperfections of proficients     68
Notes on that which is to follow     71
Explanation of the first stanza     74
Explains how this dim contemplation is not a night only, but pain and torment also for the soul     76
Of other sufferings of the soul in this night     81
The same subject continued. Other afflictions and trials of the will     86
Of other sufferings which distress the soul in this state     93
How this night enlightens the mind, though it brings darkness over it     98
Explanation of this purgation by a comparison     105
Begins the explanation of the second line of the first stanza, and shows how a vehement passion of divine love is the fruit of these sharp afflictions of the soul     110
Shows how this awful night is a purgatory, and how in it the divine wisdom illuminates men on earth with that light in which the angels are purified and enlightened in heaven     115
Other sweet effects wrought in the soul in the dark night of contemplation     119
Repeats and explains the last three lines of the first stanza     126
The second stanza and its explanation     128
Showeth how the soul journeys securely when in darkness     129
Gives the second line and explains how this dim contemplation is secret     137
Shows how this secret wisdom is also a ladder     143
Begins the explanation of the ten degrees of the mystic ladder according to St. Bernard and St. Thomas     146
Of the other five degrees     151
The meaning of 'disguised.' The colours in which the soul disguises itself in this night     155
Explains the third line of the second stanza     161
Explains the fourth line-describes the wonderful hiding place of the soul in this night, and how the devil, though he enters other most secret places, enters not this     162
Concludes the explanation of the second stanza     170
In which the third stanza is briefly explained     172