If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection

If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection

Saint John of the Cross, a Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar, is known for his profound teachings on the spiritual journey towards union with God. One of his key teachings is the importance of self-denial in the pursuit of perfection. In his writings, Saint John emphasizes that true progress in the spiritual life can only be achieved through the renunciation of self-will and the embrace of God's will.

Self-denial, according to Saint John, is the act of surrendering one's own desires, attachments, and ego in order to align oneself with the divine will. This process of self-emptying is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. Saint John believed that the ego, or the false self, is the main obstacle to union with God. By letting go of the ego and its attachments, one can open oneself up to the transformative power of divine love.

In his famous work, "The Dark Night of the Soul," Saint John describes the spiritual journey as a process of purification and transformation. He explains that the soul must pass through a dark night of the senses and a dark night of the spirit in order to reach union with God. This journey requires the soul to let go of all that is not of God and to embrace the divine will with complete trust and surrender.

For Saint John, self-denial is not about self-punishment or self-deprivation, but rather about letting go of anything that hinders one's relationship with God. It is about detaching from worldly desires and attachments in order to be fully present to the divine presence within. By denying oneself, one can make room for God to work in and through them, leading to a deeper sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment.