The Dark Night Of The Soul

Perfecting

The beginning of the walk made me reflect and analyse the first meeting with the Hindu. I observed that he is has striking figure, besides being mysterious. Furthermore, he was keen in helping me and that was most important. To walk the path of darkness I would really need help from someone more experienced. What would it be his true objectives? I didn’t know, but they could be similar to mine. And if everything went alright, our paths could be strengthened in search of evolution. Evolution strictly necessary in the beginning of my career. Only after that I would be apt to analyse impartially the facts of the final revelation that I was searching for.

In the previous adventure, I was already able to control and gather the opposing forces. In relation to the present adventure, the basic objective was to fully understand the dark night, phase which we must pass. On this path I had accomplished three stages, helped by the guardian lady and I felt ready to face the stages with the new master, the Hindu. With him I hoped to overcome all the dangers, even if I had to pay a high enough price for such ardent knowledge.

For a moment I forget a little about my worries, fears and doubts, concentrating more on the walk and on my behaviour in front of the Hindu. After reflecting a little, I feel that I should demonstrate assurance and serenity, even if I wasn’t feeling like that. After all, he seemed to be a stern and authoritarian master with his disciples. Well, what is really important is that his methods were efficient, for he was the only one to control the last four cardinal sins. It was only left for me to find out how he would achieve such feat.

Without thinking of anything else, I carry on walking. A few more steps and I have made up half of the distance what makes me feel happier, for I would reach the cabin that I built and would say farewell to the place where I had spent the first few days on the mountain. My new residence was going to be a little sap house beside an unknown person, a Hindu who promised to help me on my path. This has been a decision solely his, which I still did not know if was the most correct one.

In a while I will reach the cabin. At this point a slight anguish passes through my heart and senses, but I still don’t know what the reason was. Was it a hunch? Well it was hard to explain. At that moment I still felt lost and confused with the last events. The only thing I was sure of my chief objective: To continue evolving in search of understanding the meaning and depth of my dark night, and of others and only then have an open mind for the final revelation. In order to attain success, I was prepared to make all the necessary sacrifices and the first one was to live at the home of a stranger, even for a short time. Well, the Hindu must have his reasons for such attitude and my mission, as a disciple, was to listen carefully to him and try my best to overcome the adversities. I carry on walking and finally arrive at the cabin. The first priority is to pack my case. After arranging it, I decide to contemplate the place where I spent the first nights on the mountain. After a brief analysis, I get to the conclusion that it is very special for me since the first time that I was here. In this space of time, I recall the doubts, the uncertainties and the fear that I manage to overcome when entering the cave. Presently I was a seer towards evolution and success. Sometime later, I finally say farewell, grab the case and depart towards my new residence. I make the return trip with serenity and conviction. I was fully prepared to face new challenges and soon arrive at the little sap house. Casually, I go in and came to face with the Hindu, sited in meditation position. Immediately, he comes out of the trance and invites me to also sit down. I obey straight away and he starts the dialogue:

—I was meditating with the objective of fining answers about how you are going to find courage to face the unknown. This is part of your own self and is important to start a good evolution.

—I also meditate when I have spare time. But lately I haven’t done so for the preoccupations don’t let my mind clear and serene.

—Understand that meditation is essential so that you can overcome new challenges. Besides, studying you careful I have realised that you still don’t master all its techniques. As a result, you don’t fully obtain its benefits.

-—I am ready to learn. Show me the correct way.

— I like keen learners. Follow me, then!

I promptly obeyed him, for I was curious to learn his techniques. Will that help me to tread a safe path in relation to my search? I wasn’t sure of that, but I was ready to risk it to be able to reap the benefits later. A little further on, we entered a narrow track towards the north side of the mountain. At this moment it comes to mind the first challenge and the learning I obtained doing it. I had discovered the origin of the dark night and the most famous example of pride. Besides I learnt that humility is the opposite of pride and is the most adequate way to evolve.

Among the examples of humility that history has given us is Jesus, who taught us that to be great we must serve others. Is this precisely what I want treading the path of the dark night of the soul. Along the book, as a result of my actions, I want to enchant hearts and make many people dream, making them forget, even for a few instants, the preoccupations, the disillusions and life’s injustices. With this objective in mind, I carry on following the man who had promised to open my senses and perceptions, in order to discover the secrets of meditation. Our quick pace takes rapidly forwards and in a short while we arrived at the lake where I already had an experience. The master restarts the dialogue:

—We have arrived to the place I wanted to. Those able to meditate correctly over the lake, become able of transcending the past, the present and the future. This phenomenon occurs because the mountain is sacred. Are you ready? I will tell you how to act. Before you go in the water, concentrate mentally with the aim to eliminate any trace of hate, despair or mistrust. After succeeding in this phase, give yourself completely to the power of the unknown. When you are ready, you will be able to walk on water and meditating you will find the respective revelations. Come, I will show you how to do it.

—Wait. I don’t think that I have heard correctly. I must give myself to the power of the unknown? What does that mean?

Without answering, the Hindu enter the lake and immediately walks over it as if was a God. When he gets exactly to the middle, he waves to me, calling. Even without knowing how to act, I pluck some courage and decide to take the risk, entering the lake. I take the first steps and I am disappointed with myself for not being able to achieve the master’s feat. I get some words of encouragement and carry on walking. When I reach exactly the place where the master is, he takes my hand, and as if it were a miracle, I am able to stand on the waters. After, I place myself on a meditation position and follow the Hindu’s instructions. Closing the eyes, I suffer a brutal impact from the following visions. In a few seconds I see the beginning, the middle and the end. The beginning represents the conception, life’s miracle. I see the breath of the Creator coming from distant places inaccessible to the human being. Just before that, I see an assembly of angels defining the spirits’ mission to come to Earth. In this respective reunion I see fire, light and darkness in council. As for the middle it represents the passage of the human being through terrestrial planet. Included in this phase are the childhood, the youth and the adulthood. In my vision I see the sweetness of a little boy who grew up having supernatural experiences that cause great fear and suffering injustices from the family and society. Despite the obstacles and setbacks, he created and kept noble and righteous dreams. One of them was to show the world the best way to evolve and reach the success and happiness dreamed of. In search of that dream, the now youth took some risks, won and at the end became the seer of the books, keen in transforming lives and enchanting hearts. On this path, he follows a series of adventures leading to his consecration. In the end, succeeds in accomplishing his mission and gives his soul to the benign forces of the Universe. At this precise moment, the visions stops and I return to my normal state. Opening the eyes, I see that I am still standing on the waters, alone, and the master on the banks of the lake. With the fright, I begin to sink and swim to the side. Coming out of the water, I feel I am no longer the same person.

—How did I manage to do it? I don’t understand, master.

—Let me explain. You only needed a push to walk on water, for the lack of belief was still inside you. Feeling secure, you relaxed and succeeded. And then? Did you see your future?

—I saw it, but not too clearly. It made me feel that it will be wonderful and full of achievements. I think that my dream is possible.

—All dreams are possible and the Universe is keen to help. Unfortunately, few people persist with their ideas. It is at that point that failure and deception occur. Don’t worry, your case is different. I can see that you have got everything to be among the winners.

—It is good to hear that. All my entire life I have run after my destiny and knowing that I will be rewarded makes me happy and keen in facing new challenges. What will it be the next stage?

—Now you have to learn how to correctly use the astral journey and this will be possible at a sacred place already known. It is the cave of despair, where you started your dream last time.

—Very well. I am ready. Shall we go?

The Hindu nodded in consent we left straight away towards the western side of the mountain top. In the beginning of the walk, there was a worrying silence around, perhaps foreseeing the dangers that both of us were running, for the cave, old friend of mine, was really capable of shuttering dreams and lives. I knew that from the previous adventure, when I overcame difficult pitfalls. I reflect a little about it and end up concluding that if were not for my adventurous spirit, I would not accept such crazy offer.

What will it be awaiting me? A new encounter with the cave could certainly reaffirm me as a seer and transform me again, in the aspect of the astral journey. On the other hand, if I failed I could be lost forever and not accomplish my dreams and projects. I try not to think about that possibility and carry on walking next to Hindu, but more determined and quicker. Thereby, we quickly travelled the distance. And soon after I am in front the place where everything began. I control my emotions; we went further forward and stopped at the entrance. At this point, the Hindu revises the last recommendations, bids farewell and saying that it is better for me to go alone from now on. I understand his point and I am ready to face a new challenge. Now it was me and the cave, once again. Initially the walk is brisk, but with concern. As it was expected, the path is full of pitfalls, but this time, unlike the previous time, I am able of overcoming them easily, using my seer’s tricks. After a little walking time, I feel tired and take the chance to reflect over my steps. Would it be than cave has softened or even had pity on me? Or was I better prepared than last time? One of the option was true, but at that moment I didn’t know which one. After the rest, I carry on walking through the cave’s galleries, searching for the sign or trace that I was looking for. Despite going deeper inside, nothing appears. I carry on walking hopeful, and an immensurable period of time, for the cave’s atmosphere is different from anything I have seen, at the last two doors appear. I stop in front of them and ask myself what exactly do they mean? I have some doubts, for my present master did not orientate me in that direction. With no way out, I decide to call on my seer’s powers and after some effort I am able to visualize their aura, what was a great achievement. With that information, my problems are solved and I find out that one represents the pure light and the other the dark night of the soul. Analysing both options, I deduce that the path of the pure light is my path, representing denounces and difficult choices in any human being’s life. Despite that, I believe that this is not the moment for choosing it. Just the path of the dark night of the soul represents the pure knowledge and the point at which we detached ourselves from God to think only about ourselves, in our egoism and vanities. Disregarding the first one, I believe that this path is going to help me to understand what happened to me a while before I became the seer. Sure of my choice, I open the door on the left (dark night of the soul). Opening it, a suffocating force pushes me inside and straight away I find myself in a large chamber, badly lit and sad, full of images of saints. I walk towards the Centre and I am able to read a phrase on the floor. It reads: Choose your saint and good luck. I have got several options: The saint of the desperate, the saint of impossible causes, and the saint of the oppressed, the saint of the travels, among others. I calmly analyse the situation and my needs. I am not desperate like the last time that I have entered the cave, nor I am wronged. These saints are no good for me. I was there precisely searching for a journey beyond the senses and trying to discover my real powers. Eliminating the unnecessary options, I decide to keep the saint of the travels. The choice made, I touch the respective saint and in so doing several doors open in front of me and on one of them was written: astral or spiritual travel. With no more doubts, I walk towards it and as I open it the unexpected happens. Suddenly, my senses are awaken and with a thrust my spirit wanders through distant times and spaces. On this journey, nothing seems very clear, but I can catch a glimpse of darkness, suffering, confusion and much pain. I see the bravery of a man fighting within himself an interminable war against his dark night of the soul. In this fight I see battles won and lost at the same time. I also see the dark night strengthening any time he slips up, and desperation falling on the miserable. Already in the spiritual plan, I see worlds battling for that man’s soul. There is a short passage of time and at the end of it I see a small light that can be his salvation. That light is intense and the dark night disappears with its presence, but there is lack of attitude on part of the man. Will it be that his repentance is really genuine? Did his dark night still remain in his heart? Before I could get the answers, the experience ends I return to my normal state. The door closes and I return to the same chamber. Without finding anymore, I decide to make my way back. After a few moments, I return to the galleries and walking rapidly and in 2 hours I walk the entire way of the cave. Getting out, I meet the Hindu again and I approach him for the first considerations.

—And then? What happened? Did you find what you were looking for? – he asks.

—The cave helped me in a certain way, but still has not answered the crucial questions. I think that I have to continue to risk, following this dangerous and tortuous path of darkness in order to reach the so desired final revelation. Are you going to carry on helping me?

—Of course. With meditation and astral journey that we have perfected, I believe that you are already capable of passing the next stage, accomplishing another challenge tomorrow. For the time being, it is better to go back home to rest.

I agree with my present master and we start walking at once. The initial steps are normal, reflecting the spiritual state of both of us, of someone who have just finished overcome another stage. What would be awaiting us from now on? I couldn’t even imagine, and it was that what was making our actual adventure as special as the first one. Despite all the doubts that I still had, I was absolutely sure of what I wanted and where I wanted to get to. With that conviction, I accelerate the steps and my master accompanies me on the track. In a short time, we covered the distance separating us from the humble house and upon arrival we cooked lunch and afterwards we rested on our uncomfortable beds. At this moment my thoughts were filled with the next day’s expectations, which would be decisive and definite in my career as a beginner writer.

Anger

The first rays of sun appear, announcing the arrival of a new day. With the light, my senses are awakened little by little. I try to get up straight way, but the weight of the experiences of the previous day stops me doing so. Even so, I do not resign myself, I gather my remaining energies and with a thrust I am able to get up at last. Standing up, I stretch and go towards the improvised bathroom to do my morning ablutions. When I get there, I enter, close the door, undress and start throwing cold water over my body, kept in a container that I have filled in. The first contact with the cold water renews my mood and determination to carry on fighting for my dreams and objectives. I try to simplify things in the best way possible, giving a good and quick cleaning to my body. In a sequence of soap and water, I end up completely clean, put on some clean clothes, I leave the bathroom and go to have my breakfast. Arriving at the kitchen, I meet the Hindu again, who had prepared everything for our breakfast, I begin to help myself and start talking to him.

—Have you recovered fully from yesterday’s exploits? – asks the master. Look, today’s challenge is not very easy, be careful.

—To be honest, I haven’t really. However, I find myself very willing. Tell me, in short, how do I have to act to collect one more victory in this next challenge?

—Firstly, you must keep your courage and fighting spirit. Second, use your knowledge and yesterday’s improvement as weapons to surmount all the adversities. Be strong and don’t lose faith at any time. Only this way you will win again and as a reward you will receive the complete knowledge about the fourth cardinal sin.

—I understand. Thank you. Could you please also give me some clues about the place and the exact time of the realization of this challenge?

—As far as the place is concerned, I cannot help you. Follow your intuition. Concerning the time, it will be 08h00 in the morning.

With this answer from the Hindu, I look at my pocket watch and realise that is almost time. I feel a slight tremor in my body, but I prefer to believe that everything is going to be alright. I hurry up and finish my breakfast, say goodbye to the Hindu and leave at once to accomplish one more stage in my career. When I left, I begun to draw my plans and to ponder which direction to follow. Instinctively, I decide for the northeast due to the fact that I have never travel in those parts. The direction defined, it only remained now the attitude. With the intention of helping my mind, I recall the past knowledge (what I had absorbed since the previous adventure to the present time) and the improvement that I acquired under the supervision from the Hindu. Analysing carefully and impartially, I end up concluding that they had been and are very important for me to become the man who I was at that moment. For this reason, I should use them (whenever necessary) in my favour during this journey (the dark night of the soul) and the next ones that I may undertake. The reader, at this point, may ask: And will this be enough to achieve complete success? That question is extremely difficult and it would be absurd try to answer it, in my present state of evolution as a man and as seer. The only and absolute certainty that I had is that I would risk, no matter how difficult the obstacles were and the path that I intended to walk.

With that assurance, I walk briskly on the track that I have chosen; sometime later, finally I arrive at the northeast side of the top of the mountain. I carry on walking and suddenly in front of me a mysterious clearing opens up and without thinking I get closer to it. Go into it and arriving exactly to the middle I find a tomb. On a cross by the side I read the following message: Here lies an oppressed one. Driven by a strange force that I cannot explain, I touch the cross. By doing this, the sky darkens, the forces are shaken, and the top of the mountain trembles and the dark night of the soul quickly concentrates around me. After a few instants, a tunnel appears above me and immediately a force sucks my fragile spirit. After that, a kind of astral travelling begins, and by its strength and power, I travel through distant times and spaces for some time until reaching a more visible place. At this moment, my spirit relaxes and as if it were in a film I have the corresponding vision to the fourth cardinal sin: