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Dark Night of the Soul Symptoms and What to do
- Fernando Albert
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Causes, effects, and gateways to transformation
Are you dealing with the Dark Night of the Soul? Trust me, you are not alone. If you want to get the most out of your spiritual awakening, you have come to the right place. We will talk about this spiritual crisis and what you can do to navigate your inner transformation.
Before we continue, did you check out February's Free Tarot Reading and The Judgment Tarot Card article? It's the time for transformational reckoning, so make sure you know the meaning of this card!
Perhaps, you may be wondering why the Dark Night of the Soul arises during big inner change, and I can tell you in a few words. It might hurt, BUT it serves your Highest Purpose. As you navigate inner transformation, a big part here is also dealing with your shadow and perhaps the uglier sides you need to transcend and heal, but that you have been avoiding.
Take this as the spiritual crisis snooze button; you have to press it (take action) to stop it! Keep on reading to find all the support you need.
Signs and Experiences of this infamous Spiritual Crisis
The Dark Night of the Soul symptoms may come at you like a furious ram to knock your socks down, and trust me, they certainly will, so hold your ground and embrace the impact. Be assured, you can take it, but you need to be ready and strong. This doesn't come as a punishment for you but as a necessary, difficult stop in your path for you to embrace and grow much stronger out of it.
The stages of the Dark Night of the Soul are not set in stone, because each person experiences this differently. However, to give you a brief idea of some of the symptoms and situations you may find yourself in:
- Realization. First, you start to notice more and more that you don't belong, or that the world that surrounds you is not what you really desire. To avoid confusion with clinical depression, in this spiritual crisis, you will always feel the pain coming from the soul, more like an existential crisis, where you feel perhaps this sick civilization we belong to is not worth fighting for.
- Experience. You really become aware as you experience different difficult emotions that could change your perception of how you experience your day-to-day:
- Loss of meaning: You believe that what you wanted to deliver is either not necessary anymore or the world can't take it.
- Loss of identity or belonging: You feel that since you do not have much to contribute, your existence is unnecessary.
- Loss of direction: Where you lose belief and motivation to fulfill your purpose.
- Loss of trust: Where you might be feeling broken by not being able to go with the trend you cannot even morally resonate with.
- Emonial Crisis. This is like realizing you really don't resonate and perhaps don't even morally agree with that job position you fought so much for. You come to see the crude reality of it, and you cannot identify yourself with their doings and morals. Take this, but instead of towards a job, it's towards life itself, your current incarnation, but more in regard to the world that surrounds you, not because of yourself, but still experiencing:
- Feelings of emptiness: You feel trapped, your emotions engulf you, and perhaps you think you have no choice but to accept and move forward, making you lose your inner spark completely, yielding dullness.
- Silence: You feel that you don't even want to contribute, not because you have nothing to deliver, but because the world simply doesn't care or doesn't want it, rendering discouragement. You may also feel like having nothing to contribute.
- Isolation: You cannot resonate with the world and the people around you, so you internalize too much, shutting yourself off from the world, making you feel invisible and escapist.
- Breakdown of old beliefs and identity. Here, the Dark Night of the Soul starts to become an asset. This is spiritual transformation, and while some aspects need realizations, you also need to further evolve to move forward, even if the "issue" is not from your side of the field. Once you break old patterns and beliefs, you go through deeper reflections:
- Emotional purification and release: You realize that perhaps you were holding on to unnecessary things that, with a more resilient mind and heart, you can leave behind. This frees energy and makes your emotions and thoughts clearer. Take this as noticing that "beautiful wrapper" is just a wrapper and it's worth nothing.
- Surrender and inner stillness: Take it like realizing that "your wrapper" is not worth it anymore, and you simply need to toss it in the garbage can. Sometimes, it is as simple as this action, a "toss," a "split-second release," and just accepting you need to part with it for a change to come.
- Gradual return of clarity and purpose: As I shared above, the Dark Night of the Soul is more of a "mismatch" than something not working entirely. You need to reinforce your awareness regarding your life purpose and have a more aligned approach that is best for you and more "compatible" with your surroundings.
- Dissolution of the ego and false identity. This is more of a cornerstone of the Dark Night of the Soul, as well as a significant benefit. Today's society, especially through electronics, shapes most people at a physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual level. This is absolutely wrong. When you learn that you are unique and you need to be authentic to who you are, you start dissolving all that doesn't serve a positive purpose:
- Inner Realignment: This comes when you learn not be like "insert your favorite celebrity here" (if you ever care for one) or follow a set of guidelines full of unspoken rules written in no book, nor anywhere. When you start to love and know yourself, you pursue what you truly need, aligning you further with your path.
- Transformation: Do you know what happens when you work your power? You tap into it and start using it... and you have no idea how powerful you are, really! You've been taught that you aren't, and instead, follow some empty figures that tell you what to do. When you start using your power, you transform, bringing forth the real you and getting the most out of your purpose.
- Surrender and Acceptance: Imagine you are in a beautiful place that you can call home, but the weather is awful. Take it as the only bad thing in your surroundings. You accept it because you still prefer to be in this beautiful place, rain or shine. You, too, are this same beautiful place, and when you transform, you realize some things you simply cannot change (yourself and your surroundings alike), and you learn to grow with it.
From here, as with everything in spirituality, you will continue evolving, one step at a time. Perhaps you ask yourself, "How long does the Dark Night of the Soul last?" But this is different and varies depending on the individual, environment, willpower, and others. Sometimes, it is the external factors that are influencing you to (or not to) develop in a necessary way. Keep in mind these factors and remember: Learn patience and trust in the process.
What Comes After the Dark Night of the Soul
You will experience a strong emotional integration starting with yourself, but definitely with your surroundings. You can take it as if you were out of place, and now you found your spot, and you are actively contributing to a greater purpose that you agree with.
From here, you will experience a greater sense of purpose, and this will bring your shine back. Here, you are aligned with yourself, possibly tapping your potential to bring a positive impact. This will give you a deeper sense of spiritual awareness, especially because you are now doing something quite meaningful.
Remember, Dark Night of the Soul is more than just a spiritual label; it means that it is only about meditating and seeking mindfulness. Sometimes it will require you to take other steps, but these will yield the right outcome. This is not a punishment, and neither is it an "assured step" when you are working on spiritual awakening; ultimately, it depends on many, many factors beyond our knowledge.
If you feel that this spiritual crisis, the Dark Night of the Soul, or any similar is taking over your life, you have thoughts of self-harm, or you believe your life is not worth living, please contact Crisis Text Line if you need support. On top, I will be happy to help you add you to my healing list and support you with some personalized free healing, too, so feel free to reach out.
FAQ
Q: What are the signs of the Dark Night of the Soul?
A: The Dark Night of the Soul is a phase of intense inner emptiness and loss of meaning that often happens during major inner transformation.
Q: How is the Dark Night of the Soul different from depression?
A: The Dark Night aligns more with an existential crisis potentially originating from your soul, but clinical depression may exist without any identity or spiritual struggles.
Q: How long does the Dark Night of the Soul last?
A: A spiritual crisis calls you to take action. As soon as you take the smallest step, you will meet with the beginning of the end of your crisis.
Q: Can the Dark Night of the Soul happen more than once?
A: If you lost your way and your ego took control, but you are redeeming yourself by shifting back onto a path aligned with your purpose, you may suffer some Dark Night of the Soul symptoms.
Q: What helps during the Dark Night of the Soul?
A: To feel better during the Dark Night of the Soul, first, go out! Being in nature and socializing will significantly improve your vibrations and central nervous system. Sleeping, meditation, mindfulness, and lots of self-contemplation will help you.
Q: Is the Dark Night of the Soul part of spiritual awakening?
A: Yes, although it is not scripted to experience the Dark Night of the Soul during a specific phase or during a Spiritual Awakening at all. It differs for each person, and every single one is and will continue learning and spiritually awakening further and constantly.
Q: When should professional help be considered?
A: If you feel that this spiritual crisis is taking over your life, you have thoughts of self-harm, or you believe your life is not worth living, please contact Crisis Text Line if you need support. On top, I will be happy to help you add you to my healing list and support you with some personalized free healing, too, so feel free to reach out.
What is the Dark Night of the Soul? Now you know! Don't forget to embrace the Dark Night as a passage, not a punishment, because ultimately, you will phase out of it. Honoring personal transformation with compassion makes a huge difference. Feel free to leave a one-line comment about your dealings with this spiritual phase. If you believe this can help someone else, feel free to share! You have read Your Daily Dose of Light with Fernando Albert.
Next week, I will share some supportive lines and tools for Emotional Pain, how to best deal with it, and when to seek professional help. If you are struggling, you are not alone, and you will find loving and positive support. Stay tuned for next Wednesday!
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I invite you to check earlier posts: ninth year, eighth year, seventh year, sixth year, fifth year, fourth year, third year, second year, and first year.
Love & Light,
Lots of blessings and abundance your way! (Home)
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