John of the Cross was a sixteenth–century Spanish Carmelite monk, mystic, and contemporary of Teresa of Avila who became one of Christianity's foremost spiritual teachers. He is most famous for his lyrical poetry, in which he beautifully describes a tender, loving God. This volume contains his most stirring works, including the classic The Dark Night, in which John expands on the role of darkness in the spiritual journey:
 ,,It remains to be said, then, that even though this happy night darkens the spirit, it does so only to impart light concerning all things. And even though it humbles persons and reveals their miseries, it does so only to exalt them. And even though it impoverishes and empties them of all possessions and natural affection, it does so only that they may reach out divinely to the enjoyment of all earthly and heavenly things, with a general freedom of spirit in them all.', –– John of the Cross

The Essential Writings: Selections from The Dark Night, The Spiritual Canticle, and The Living Flame of Love (Western Spiritual Classics)

History

St.John of the Cross

World

HarperOne

San Juan de la Cruz, the great sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, is regarded by many as Spain's finest poet. Passionate, ecstatic, and spiritual, his poems are a blend of exquisite lyricism and profound mystical thought. In The Poems of St. John of the Cross John Frederick Nims presents his superlative translation of the complete poems, re-creating the religious fervor of St. John's art. This dual-language edition makes available the original Spanish from the Codex of Sanlúcon de Barrameda with facing English translations. The work concludes with two essays—a critique of the poetry and a short piece on the Spanish text that appears alongside the translation—as well as brief notes on the individual poems.

The Poems of St. John of the Cross (English and Spanish Edition)

Religion & Spirituality

University of Chicago Press

San Juan de la Cruz, the great sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, is regarded by many as Spain's finest poet. Passionate, ecstatic, and spiritual, his poems are a blend of exquisite lyricism and profound mystical thought. In The Poems of St. John of the Cross John Frederick Nims presents his superlative translation of the complete poems, re-creating the religious fervor of St. John's art. This dual-language edition makes available the original Spanish from the Codex of Sanlúcon de Barrameda with facing English translations. The work concludes with two essays—a critique of the poetry and a short piece on the Spanish text that appears alongside the translation—as well as brief notes on the individual poems.

The Poems of St. John of the Cross

Selected translations from the writings of the influential 19th century Russian mystic, revealing his spiritual yet practical approach to the problems of living the Christian life.

The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt

Christian Books & Bibles

James Clarke Lutterworth

A 16th-century mystic, St. John of The Cross was also a Carmelite monk who helped reform the Order. In this book, he addresses pride, avarice, envy, and other human imperfections. He also provides an extended explanation of Divine love, and describes methods of conversion through prayer, submission, and purification.

The Dark Night of the Soul (Hodder Christian Classics)

Hodder&Stoughton

The Living Flame of Love

Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts

Doubleday Image

"St. John of the Cross, the greatest of all mystical theologians, put his entire soul into the writing of the "Spiritual Canticle,..." "Using the simple metaphor of Spouse and Bride, the sacred writer sketches a series of dialogues between God and the soul, made brilliant with rich images from nature."

Spiritual Canticle

DOUBLEDAY

The great Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross became a Carmelite monk in 1563 and helped St. Teresa of Avila to reform the Carmelite order — enduring persecution and imprisonment for his efforts. Both in his writing and in his life, he demonstrated eloquently his love for God. His written thoughts on man's relationship with God were literacy endeavors that placed him on an intellectual and philosophical level with such great writers as St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. In this work — a spiritual masterpiece and classic of Christian literature and mysticism — he addresses several subjects, among them pride, avarice, envy, and other human imperfections. His discussion of the "dark night of the spirit," which considers afflictions and pain suffered by the soul, is followed by an extended explanation of divine love and the soul's exultant union with God. This fine translation by E. Allison Peers "is the most faithful that has appeared in any European language: it is, indeed, much more than a translation for [Peers] added his own valuable historical and [critically interpretive] notes." — London Times.

Dark Night of the Soul (Dover Thrift Editions: Religion)

Literature & Fiction

Essays & Correspondence

Dover Publications

The sixteenth-century friar known as St. John of the Cross is regarded as one of Spain's foremost poets, as well as one of the greatest mystical poets of any language. Drawn to the contemplative life, he joined St. Teresa of Avila in her reform of the Discalced Carmelites. St. John considered his poetry to be the most authentic expression of his theology and his mystical experience. This new edition of his works of spiritual guidance both modernizes the original text and retains its rhetorical grandeur. In addition to eight poems, this volume features St. John's four major prose works: Subida del Monte Carmelo ("The Ascent of Mount Carmel"), Noche oscura ("The Dark Night"), Cantico espiritual ("The Spiritual Canticle"), and Llama de amor viva ("The Living Flame of Love"). Translator Stanley Appelbaum provides an informative Introduction, in addition to helpful notes on each item.

Mystical Verse and Prose/Poesías y prosas místicas: A Dual-Language Book

History & Criticism

He was called "the greatest of all mystical theologians" by spiritual teacher Thomas Merton. And when St. John of the Cross was proclaimed to be a Doctor of the Church, Pope Pius XI praised his work as "a guide and handbook for the man of faith who proposes to embrace a life of perfection." The writings of the pious Carmelite priest, as well as those of St. Teresa of Avila, are regarded as the peak of Spanish mysticism. This remarkable guide to the spiritual life stands as his most popular work. Imprisoned in Toledo during the sixteenth century, St. John wrote about his spiritual struggles with a unique poetic vision, illuminating a path for the faithful to grow closer to God. He believed that a spiritual union was open to us, but not before experiencing the confusion and despair of a dark night of the soul. Yet John's words are uplifting, lyrical, and filled with hope for any soul who aspires to the Divine union. By emptying ourselves of earthly distractions—memory, will, and sensual desires—we can make room for the pure light of God's grace. A primer to his Dark Night of the Soul, this acclaimed translation will resonate with modern pilgrims searching for wisdom.

Ascent of Mount Carmel

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