There are periods in life when it feels as though a deepening shadow has descended upon us. In the language of the Christian mystics, this has been called the Dark Night of the Soul. In mysticism more generally, and particularly in Eastern traditions, it is often referred to as the Journey through the Shadows or the Obscure Night.

It is worth quoting from an article which appeared in the August 1933 edition of The Occult Review, and which remains strikingly relevant today:

“It is characteristic that, whether of long or short duration, few, if any, pass through it without complaint. Who is there in whom the inner life has reached any appreciable stage of development who has not experienced that numbness within, which takes away all zest for those matters which, in the ordinary way, we would consider most worthwhile?”

Initiation and Development

There is a fundamental aspect of this experience which is important for anyone travelling the Mystic Path: the period of apparent darkness is constructive in purpose. It is an experience through which the sincere seeker of knowledge, understanding, and illumination must pass as part of their initiation and development.

During this time of the Obscure Night, we may experience a sense of unrest and doubt. We may become indifferent to spiritual matters, or perhaps overly sceptical and critical, finding reasons to question the value of any mystical or spiritual study. Teachers who once inspired us may suddenly appear doubtful in our minds. It can feel as though we have been thrown back into the turmoil of everyday life, with nothing left to hold onto.

We may also feel depressed in spirit, experiencing loneliness or a sense of inferiority. For some, however, the opposite reaction may arise: an uncharacteristic sense of superiority may assert itself, attempting to dominate our thinking, proclaiming its own supposed insights and dismissing all that has been learned before. In such a state, we may ridicule those who claim to be guides along the Path.

It is often during this period that some travellers pause along their personal journey and seek the company of others who are also dwelling in the shadows. In these encounters, doubts and false conclusions are reinforced through shared experience, and we may come to believe that the material world and its unfolding drama are all that truly exist. In doing so, we may throw ourselves more deeply into despondency.

Realisation and Self-Knowledge

In such circumstances, we may feel that we have escaped from an unhappy situation and gained a new sense of freedom. By stepping away from our inner journey and distancing ourselves from our former school of thought, we may even declare that we are now “free spirits,” no longer able to find fulfilment in the associations and studies to which we devoted so much time and effort.

For a while, this may feel like liberation from a form of bondage. Yet this interpretation often proves illusory, and is followed by a deepening sense of emptiness. What then arises is a true test of vanity and a trial of the ego, for we discover that we now need, more than ever, the companionship and guidance we have recently abandoned. To seek it again would require admitting that our judgement was clouded and that we may have taken a wrong turn—something pride often resists.

Sometimes years pass before we reach a full realisation of the mistake that was made, and before we can summon the self-knowledge and inner strength needed to return to the Path that can guide us onward.

Once the inner self has become conscious of the Path and has developed through the changing emotions and shifting influences of the spiritual journey, it must, for a time, experience the darkness and turmoil of separation from the attunements and inspirations that once sustained it. This, however, is a temporary condition, and much strength and confidence can be gained from it. It is a crucial part of the journey.

The Darkness Before the Dawn

Sunrise is always preceded by sunset. Those who remain faithful to the Path eventually discover that a radiant dawn lies just beyond the boundary of the Obscure Night. It is often said that the greater the determination, sincerity, and devotion of the aspirant, the shorter this period of darkness may be. Those who remain steadfast and attentive to inner guidance come to realise that, during this passage through the night, one of the most important inner battles is being fought—and won.

As the Occult Review article observes:

“In the thick of the fight the sufferer fails to see that the last dregs of self are being purged. Not until the feet have trodden many a long mile on the Path is it possible to realise the illusory nature of those moods which assail the aspirant; but so long as they refuse to be deflected from their true inner course, such trials are in reality a source of strength.”

As we journey through life, we pass through alternating days and nights of experience. A normal life, from birth to transition, contains times of brightness and joy, as well as periods of sorrow and difficulty. Neither wealth, worldly power, nor social position can prevent these changing conditions.

It is therefore natural to expect that, on the path of inner development, there will come a time when the first day’s journey ends, the sun sets for a while, and the shadows of night obscure the way. We have no more reason to abandon our course at such times than we have to abandon life itself when daylight fades and night falls.

The voices encountered in darkness—those that question the value and truth of all we hold dear—never explain why they remain in the shadows while promising greater rewards. They do not reveal themselves as part of the darkness, leaving us to discover this only after we have joined them in their discontent.

For this reason, our gaze should remain forward, patiently anticipating the dawn that lies beyond the night.