Nothing, nothing, nothing: John of the Cross

[@justbrian...]

As someone who has been very firmly stuck in materialism for the better part of 30 years...with no framework of for anything spiritual, these 4 videos connected a lot of dots for me. Than you so much for your ability to clearly articulate this information in such an accessible way for a layman like myself. As much as I'd would REALLY go back to just drinking beer and watching football on the weekends, I guess that is no longer gonna be an option for me. At least now I have some guidance for how to start climbing up the mountain. Thank you 🙏

[@labyrinthsideas]

Many thanks - and indeed, this experience of being stuck in materialism is something I’ve been thinking of a good bit lately myself. Most of us are, I think. Once one begins to ask questions about the things these videos talk about, though, it is indeed hard to go back to “normal life” - new realizations supersede older felt certainties! Grateful.

[@jordi2712]

Thank you for your generosity, your time and your teachings.

[@mcnallyaar]

10/10 Best of the Best of the Internet

[@ruthgilmour8399]

Thank you. That was very deep but helpful. I continue to struggle with the understanding of God and the depth of our Catholic faith. Thank you again.

[@DailySource]

This was a really well done series on these four mystics. A great introduction and launching off point for people to go more deeply into them, benefit from their useful advice and practice the things they describe. In this age of KZbin, we are extremely fortunate to have access to the teachings of the greatest mystics who lay out the path to God in great detail and guidance. Even just 20 years ago, relatively few people had basically free access to all of this incredibly useful and important information. Now in most parts of the US, even a person without a computer or a smart phone can go to a public library and use a computer to watch KZbin videos about this stuff and read articles on the Internet about it. The really surprising thing is how few people are actually availing themselves of the opportunities. Great videos like the ones in the series have tiny amounts of views compared to a lot of lame KZbin videos, most of which are leading them up the wrong mountain that St. John of the cross talks about… The mountain with nowhere to go once you reach the top.

[@labyrinthsideas]

Many thanks for this - and indeed I couldn’t agree more! KZbin is an absolutely game-changing platform and we’re only just starting to feel its impact. The history of how mystical ideas were popularized by such scholars as Bernard McGinn, for example, is something I’ve always wanted to study more closely - there’s much to learn there. But I love that all of us here can learn from each other and engage so fruitfully. Grateful.

[@candicemcmillan720]

Thank you!!

[@cosmicdog3375]

Thank you Fr. Bill, God Bless

[@trippy6183]

This helped a great deal. Thank you.

[@OrlandoSousa-v3i]

beautiful soothing and healing voice, many thanks

[@nickhornfeck]

Beautiful brother. Much appreciated 👏

[@josti7213]

Very well done! Thank you!

[@millicentmarano5001]

This refers to the cloud of unknowing.

[@sheenapearse766]

Challenging teachings , well presented . I think it is useful to think of God as “ nada “ , not as an idea or notion, in order for one to be available to experience His presence , by orienting our undivided attention to Him . If Jesus is the Wisdom of God , it is because He emptied himself of all things ( kenosis ) . The sheer grace of God means relying solely on our acceptance of that grace , and not being “ a try hard .”. “God” is the presence through whom we know our ‘true self’ ( imageo dei ) and find that “ inner castle” . If more people of faith would understand that aridity , and ‘ spiritual wilderness’ experiences are part of life on earth , there would be a lot less distress and angst . As Jesus said “ It is finished .” Thanks.

[@shaundisch2020]

Nicely done sir, thank you.

[@EmilyJones-e5y]

Thanks for getting me through my dissertation!!!

[@Somosoterocheney]

Amazing! Not sure the only parh is suffering but I now I know the teachings of a saint that only knew by name before. Now to listen to the Teresa de Avila lecture. Forgive me St.John if I'm being a spiritual glutenous 😊

[@elzoog]

Suffering is just part of life. Just deal with the suffering currently presented to you. There is no need to add to your suffering what you don't already have.

[@ruthgilmour8399]

Please follow more about suffering. Don't simply discard it. It is key to Catholicism.

[@rickahmuty3208]

excellent presentation, I throughly enjoyed the diagram

[@labyrinthsideas]

Yes, the diagram is my favorite thing here! Visual learner 😄

[@joelscott4384]

Very good.

[@koolertrek]

One of my role models.

[@angelamarie9874]

Hello and thank you for a great series on mysticism. I wonder if you could tell me where the imitation of Christ and st Thérèse of Lisieux fit into this tradition ?

[@zardoz7900]

🙏

[@AndrewWhite-w5g]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@hermanhale9258]

How do we know St. John of the Cross knows anything about the soul or union with God?

[@TheWayofFairness]

🕉 Om Shivo Ham, good luck swasti. I defeat evil.

[@bakhop]

In St John of the Cross's day the church might have been considered a necessary part of the journey, but these days, we are able to discard that as well. In fact, due to the appalling wordliness and corruption of the present day church, it is more a hindrance to spiritual growth than otherwise. We must glean all the virtue we can from its teachings, but avoid its horrible examples of depravity in the guise of virtue.

[@angelafinnigan6668]

I urge you to reconsider, by denying the Church you are denying Jesus’ teaching that the Church will prevail against evil and denying and being deprived of the Sacraments.