Ascent of Mount Carmel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ascent of Mount Carmel is the third major work of St. John of the Cross a Spanish mystic and major figure of the Catholic Reformation in 16th Century Spain. The book is a systematic treatment of the ascetical life in pursuit of mystical union with Christ, giving advice and reporting on his own experience.

Considered to be his introductory work on mystical theology, this work begins with an allegorical poem. The rest of the text is a detailed explanation and interpretation of the poem. The poem is as follows:

On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings

-- oh, happy chance! --

I went forth without being observed,

My house being now at rest.

In darkness and secure,

By the secret ladder, disguised

-- oh, happy chance! --

In darkness and in concealment,

My house being now at rest.

In the happy night,

In secret, when none saw me,

Nor I beheld aught,

Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.

This light guided me

More surely than the light of noonday,

To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me

-- A place where none appeared.

Oh, night that guided me,

Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,

Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover,

Lover transformed in the Beloved!

Upon my flowery breast,

Kept wholly for himself alone,

There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him,

And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

The breeze blew from the turret

As I parted his locks;

With his gentle hand he wounded my neck

And caused all my senses to be suspended.

I remained, lost in oblivion;

My face I reclined on the Beloved.

All ceased and I abandoned myself,

Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.