The Dark Night of the Soul is one of the most painful, isolating, and destabilizing experiences in life. Yet it is also a tremendous blessing in disguise.
As a primordial process of death and rebirth, the Dark Night of the Soul is a period in life where we are stripped of everything that is false.
The veils of illusion are torn from our eyes. We suddenly see the fragility of ourselves, other people, and existence itself.
Out of nowhere, we start asking big questions such as “What is the meaning of life?” “What happens after death?” and “Why was I born?”
The more we start to question our lives, the more deception we come across. We see the lies perpetuated by society.
We see the ways we have become wounded and behave dysfunctionally. And we may even notice a sense of emptiness inherent in our lives. Something feels missing. But what?
For many people, the Dark Night of the Soul heralds big life shifts. We may quit our jobs, leave our marriage, and seek out something more meaningful and aligned with who we truly are.
For some, the Dark Night is a call to begin the spiritual wanderer’s journey toward self-actualization, spiritual illumination (or enlightenment), and reconnecting with the Soul.
Dark Night of the Soul Questions
When people first enter this dark period of life, they often have many questions.
It can feel scary to lose interest in what you once valued and have your life turned upside down. Due to its destabilizing effect on our lives, the Dark Night is synonymous with what is known as the spiritual emergency.
Here are some commonly asked questions which might help to relax your mind a bit:
Most people who go through the Dark Night feel a sense of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression. It’s common to crave solitude and quiet, comforting environments. While some describe the experience as a death and rebirth, others describe it as the feeling of disintegrating or falling through a void.
The Dark Night of the Soul is an experience that is unique to everyone (although it does share many common characteristics). For one person it may last a few months, for others, it may last a year or many years. Most importantly, please understand that this is a temporary experience, and many people can relate to what you’re experiencing. You’re not alone, although it might feel that way.
There are many ways to answer this question, but it’s crucial to understand first and foremost that the Dark Night is a natural and organic process. Just as trees go through a period of losing their leaves in Autumn/Winter, so too do we as humans (metaphorically speaking). We all go through cycles of death and rebirth – periods where we are full of life and energy and then periods where we need to slow down and go within. The Dark Night helps us to stop and tune into our inner selves. It is a process that goes hand-in-hand with the spiritual awakening process and finding our true life purpose.
Good question! Think of the Dark Night of the Soul as entering a prolonged Winter period. What comes after Winter? Spring! After the Dark Night, we emerge refreshed, renewed, and ready to walk our true life paths. This is known as the ‘Illumination‘ stage on the spiritual wanderer’s journey. In this period, we have gained clarity, wisdom, tenderness, and the ability to tune into ourselves thanks to the Dark Night period. These qualities we then bring into our lives. It’s quite common to start big projects, make powerful life changes, and explore our newly found gifts after the Dark Night of the Soul. It’s a blessing in disguise.
Dark Night of the Soul Test
Are you experiencing symptoms of loneliness, isolation, depression, and soul loss? Does it feel as though you’re cut off or totally disconnected from the Divine?
If so, you may be experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul. Take our free Dark Night of the Soul Test to confirm (or challenge) your suspicions below:
What result did you get? Feel free to share your results in the comments as well as any reflections.
If you need more in-depth guidance, see our Dark Night of the Soul Journal for more help.
What has your experience during the Dark Night been like so far? I’d love to hear from you below. Your words might inspire or support someone else on this difficult journey.
It feels like im both into awakening and the dark night because almost every point is relating. Is that possible? if yes what’s next?
I don’t know how to ask you this properly but how do you know all this? And when did you wake up? And also I think we are alike. And I need answers.
I developed a faith in God 4 years ago and during that time, I made good progress in my life and career. However, for the past month, I have lost faith and feel like I no longer believe in God and heaven. I am so scared and anxious about the future and really wish I could regain my faith. Has anyone experienced a similar situation and does life get better? I feel like I have been abandoned into an abyss where I am all alone :(.
Hello. Id struggled with alcoholism and addiction 15 yrs which ultimately led me to AA and NA. I got involved in yoga, found a( guru )teacher and more advanced spiriitual friends. I know this much, substances and my ex helped bring me to the point im at.. Im grateful! I write gratitude lists everyday.. Write, write, and read.. Also Research helps.. Keep asking what is my path? You will get support you just have to be aware of the signs… Grateful to this website.. I was looking up tattoos of wolves and this website popped up! There is not alot of information on this i just know that this is real.. Im not suicidal. Am questioning why am i here? Am i on the right path? Align yourself with the universe and you will see the signs.. I call the angels and talk to God daily.. Also its so important to find other people who know what this feels like.. Trust your intuition.. Creating, painting, drawling,and being in nature is super important! To all of you looking for that glimmer of hope in any word on this subject i understand the desperation and know ur not alone.. Ever. ❤ Namaste… Read more »
I have took several empath test and passed them all, and a infj type and passed it, rainbow worrier test, pansexual test, born year of the dragon and a scorpio some of these test was yours. Scored in the 80’s and 90’s on all of them. I don’t know what this means according to all I’ve read so far, I have suppressed my abilities when I was a child do to the fact that I wanted to feel normal, but only confused myself in doing so. I am now 43 this month and in this last month have reopened something that as far as I can tell or more so feel about me. In this last month I have I have felt so much confusion and so many feelings that I can’t explain but at the same time it feels like I’ve always know. I have come into all of these new emotions and now all I want to do is find out about everything that I am. I’m confused, but not scared. All I’m asking for is maybe some guidance or maybe a little one on one if your comfortable. I gingerly do not ask for help like this.… Read more »
I came across your post right as I feel I’m coming out of my own Dark Night of the Soul. It took 8-9 years but I’m finally seeing the light peaking through the dark trees. I felt it coming in 2010 and walked away from everything safe and familiar (job security, home, family and friends). And my white wolf presented herself in the form of a white pit bull puppy who guided my life, and kept me going…she still does. Someone told me recently that I had a tendency to be “allergic to power”, and I had willingly gave mine away many times, but now that I was coming out of the darkness, it was time to claim what had been mine all along. I’m not there yet, one day at a time.
Hello Mateo and Luna, thank you for the amazing work you are doing.
I have a question if there is some kind of derealization of the world in the daek night of the soul or awakening process? Since a couple of weeks I feel as though the world around me isnt real and I get alot of panick attacks. Im dizzy alot and cannot think clearly. Before I never had anything like this although I think from some time Im already in a dark night of the soul. I also met my twin one year ago but he is emotionally distant because of his own suffering. I just get so scared nowadays and dont know what to do about it.
I am a 62 yr old woman and just recently found the courage to expre ss my deep childhood trauma and pain to my mother. she denied everything, but i felt the greatest relief of my life. i feel like i can now find my true purpose
May I request for topics like Inner Demons, Alcohol, etc..Addictions and how to put an end… please and thank you… God bless and more power to you Aletheia Luna and Sol
Luna and Sol,
I’m so in love with all the interesting and insightful topics that you share. Thank you very much for coming into my life you both are heavenly blessings to me.
I love you both from the bottom of my heart.❤ Please do stay around. Namastè