The Dark Night of the Soul

Find the light again.

At some point in life, most experience an emptiness that challenges their sense of purpose.

The Dark Night of the Soul feels like losing all direction.

This isn’t about destruction. It’s breaking illusions, uncovering truth, and growing.

The term comes from the writings of Saint John of the Cross, a Spanish mystic. He described a painful but necessary spiritual process where old attachments and false beliefs dissolve.

Many traditions recognize this idea. Buddhists call it “ego death.” Psychologists examine concepts like shadow work.

This is different from everyday struggles. It’s not just feeling unmotivated. It’s a confrontation with everything a person has built their identity on. Beliefs, relationships, and personal goals suddenly feel meaningless. There’s an aching sense that something is missing.

The Dark Night of the Soul is triggered by major life shifts, intense loss, or deep questioning of old beliefs.

Loss of purpose. Disconnection from personal convictions.

Significant change. End of relationships, career shifts, or major life events.

Internal conflict. Fears, regrets, or aspects of oneself that were previously ignored.

Burnout. Overextension, emotional or physical, that leads to breakdowns.

This darkness forces people to begin a process of self-inquiry. What remains after this painful phase is a more truthful understanding of the self.

True healing comes from facing rather than avoiding discomfort. Shadow work examines the parts of ourselves we usually reject. The emotions, fears, and impulses we push aside.

Different traditions approach this in various ways:

Jungian Psychology. Carl Jung believed that personal growth comes from integrating the “shadow” (the unconscious, hidden parts of ourselves). Journaling, dream analysis, and active imagination help with suppressed emotions.

Buddhist Meditation. Mindfulness encourages sitting with discomfort to observe painful thoughts without resistance.

Shamanic Healing. Indigenous traditions use ceremonies, vision quests, and introspection to work through emotional wounds.

Religious Practices. Many spiritual traditions use fasting, isolation, or prayer to break attachments.

Shadow work requires honest examination of fears, regrets, and painful memories. This leads to deeper self-awareness.

The important thing to remember is that it’s temporary. Even when it feels impossible, personal transformation is happening.

Struggle has meaning. Instead of resisting discomfort, understand that this phase has purpose. Growth emerges from change.

Journal your thoughts. Write down frustrations, doubts, and emotions. It separates your thoughts from overwhelming feelings.

Connect with someone who understands. Speak to someone who has experienced it to make it easier to process.

Spend time in reflection. Distractions delay growth. Set aside quiet time for meditation, reading, or walks to reconnect with yourself.

Practice self-compassion. Don’t judge your emotions. Feeling lost isn’t a failure but a sign that beliefs are shifting.

Once the fog clears, a new version of yourself emerges, one built on truth rather than illusion. Freedom is worth the struggle.