Book I, Chapter XI Summary and Analysis

In this chapter, St. John expounds upon the first three lines of the "Stanzas of the Soul." As the soul becomes kindled with the spirit of love, the new Christian senses a strong desire, which is identified as that of thirst for God. This love for God and desire for God is generally not felt at the onset of the dark night but slowly develops as the beginner progresses through the dark night. The following line of the poem refers to the happiness the soul finds in being freed from the heaviness of the bonds of human sensuality. This dark night also allows the soul to move forward in its relationship with God without being caught up in the sins and imperfections of the sensual or lower part of the man.