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(The dark night of the spirit) is more a deep and ongoing…

“(The dark night of the spirit) is more a deep and ongoing process of unknowing that involves the loss of habitual experience. This includes, at different times and in different ways, loss of attachment to sensate gratification and to usual aspirations and motivations, loss of previously construed…” quote by Gerald May
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““(The dark night of the spirit) is more a deep and ongoing process of unknowing that involves the loss of habitual experience. This includes, at different times and in different ways, loss of attachment to sensate gratification and to usual aspirations and motivations, loss of previously construed faith-understandings, and loss of God-images. Accompanying this, of course, are loss of self-image/importance and of preconceptions about one’s own identity.””

Gerald May

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Spiritual crisis involves losing familiar comforts and identities, leading to profound uncertainty and the dissolution of egoic attachments.

In simple terms: Spiritual crisis strips away familiar comforts and identity.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty as a path to deeper insight.

Themes

spiritual crisis loss uncertainty

Mood

reflective somber introspective

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • midlife transition
  • grief
  • religious doubt
  • creative block

Key Concepts

ego dissolution ontological questioning faith deconstruction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What comforts are you clinging to?
  • How can loss become a catalyst for growth?
A Different Perspective

Such loss can cause despair if not balanced with support.

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