Dreams Quote by San Juan de la Cruz
““9. In conclusion, individuals must not fix the eyes of their souls on that rind of the figure and object supernaturally accorded to the exterior senses, such as locutions and words to the sense of hearing; visions of saints and beautifully resplendent lights to the sense of sight; fragrance to the sense of smell; delicious and sweet tastes to the palate; and other delights, usually derived from the spirit, to the sense of touch, as is more commonly the case with spiritual persons. Neither must they place their eyes on interior imaginative visions. They must instead renounce all these things. They””
About This Quote
Source Book: Spiritual Canticle, St. John of the Cross, 1578
One should not fixate on sensory or imagined spiritual experiences, but renounce them to seek deeper truth.
In simple terms: Avoid chasing sensory or imagined spiritual; seek deeper truth.
Key Takeaway
Let go of superficial senses.
Themes
spirituality
renunciation
inner truth
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
mystical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- prayer
- meditation
- spiritual direction
- contemplative practice
Key Concepts
mysticism
detachment
sensory illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What senses dominate your spiritual practice?
- How can you cultivate inner stillness?
A Different Perspective
Sensory focus can distract from genuine spiritual growth.
![“And it came to me while I [Merlin] was singing - watching the ring of faces around the night's fire, their eyes glinting like dark sparks, gazing raptly as the song kindled and took light in their souls - it came to me that the way to men's souls was through their hearts, not through their minds…” quote by Stephen R. Lawhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a2d/stephen-r-lawhead-3949_language-of-the-hear_and-it-came-to-me-while-i-merlin-was-sin_2574939.jpg)
