Divided into three sections, and thought of as a commentary on the saint’s own allegorical poem The Dark Night, the treatise describes a of inner purgation that might be hard to follow at times. The book, it must be said, is not an easy nor a quick read. In fact, when read alongside The Dark Night of the Soul – another of John of the Cross’ treatises - and The Living Flame of Love and the “Spiritual Canticle” (all of them considered to be some of the greatest works of all times in both Spanish Literature and Christian mysticism), one discovers a common trace: a narrow path that goes from both earthly and spiritual privations to the summit of Mount Carmel itself, where “only the honor and glory of God dwells.” This is, of course, a metaphorical image of the soul’s ascent towards the unio mystica, after leaving appetites and ties ( cuidados, “cares,” the saint would write) behind. John of the Cross - “the most mystical of all poets, and the most poetic of all mystics” - after his escape from prison, this book is a detailed, systematic, thorough explanation of ascetic life, mystical union with Christ and negative theology. The Ascent to Mount Carmel ( Subida al Monte Carmelo, in the original Spanish) is probably the best-known spiritual treatise of the Spanish Baroque.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |