Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
St John of the Cross; Feast Day
December 14th.
Born in Spain in 1542, John learned the importance of
self-sacrificing love from his parents. His father gave up wealth, status, and
comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his noble
family. After his father died, his mother kept the destitute family together as
they wandered homeless in search of work. These were the examples of sacrifice
that John followed with his own great love -- God.
After John joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked
him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order
should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by
this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked
in a cell six feet by ten feet and beaten three times a week by the monks.
There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. Yet in that unbearable
dark, cold, and desolation, his love and faith were like fire and light. He had
nothing left but God -- and God brought John his greatest joys in that tiny
cell.
After nine months, John escaped by unscrewing the lock on his door
and creeping past the guard. Taking only the mystical poetry he had written in
his cell, he climbed out a window using a rope made of strips of blankets. With
no idea where he was, he followed a dog to civilization. He hid from pursuers
in a convent infirmary where he read his poetry to the nuns. From then on his
life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love.
His life of poverty and persecution could have produced a bitter
cynic. Instead it gave birth to a compassionate mystic, who lived by the
beliefs that "Who has ever seen people persuaded to love God by
harshness?" and "Where there is no love, put love -- and you will
find love."
John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and
prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:
Ascent of Mount Carmel
Dark Night of the Soul
and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ
Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks
happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to
satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our
desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who
suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered
encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.
"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for
outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction
and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore
him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become
distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within
you." -- Saint John of the Cross
John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached
to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a
good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray
and worship when you feel alone or dry?
[AV-blog note; in his understanding of the purpose of faith and
spirit, St John portrayed an understanding very similar to that of Vedanta.
This demonstrates that clear thinking, dedication and application will lead to
the same truth, regardless of the path.]