The Dark Night of the Soul is an old mystic spiritual concept referring to a very long hard time.  The concept is very similar to the Book of Job in the Bible and I am sure it is mirrored in other inspired writings.  It is the hardest of hard times and often travelled alone.  During this period of spiritual growth your world gets turned upside down.  Things, resources and people who before had been friends now seem to not care or wish you harm.  Even a simple prayer for
help can bring more unexpected troubles.  Many people react from the gut with anger and hatred as the troubles mount but this does not help.  This is usually a long period filled with challenges not one that passes quickly.  The ideal
reaction is to look for the good or some spiritual value in those hard experiences.  In doing this you will to some degree, however small, transmute those conditions.  Some people think these conditions run a certain period of time while others believe it has more to do with when you have shown the right stuff or conversely failed.  Most people do not recognize this as any period of growth and they simply want the pain and troubles to go away.  


My theory is that when you reach a certain point in inner or spiritual growth you are set on your own path but there are forces unseen to the physical eye which challenge that growth.  It is the lion chasing the herd of zebra he will catch the weak and guarantee that only the strongest get past him.  

My advice is to be true to your God and be true to yourself these things will end someday.  You will naturally attract help so use those good sources as best you can.  Just as the Sun eventually breaks through the rain all things
pass into another state.  Focus on the good you will do and you may see those times.  Do not let the darkness of today blind you to the hope of a brighter tomorrow.  Give thanks for each blessing however large or small.  Your
Creator, out of love, has allowed you to move on this spiritual path.  Others have passed this way and you can too.

All Rights Reserved Bill Gustafson 2007