The Dark Night of the Soul as a Portal to Union

A FREE  online community conversation with Mirabai Starr facilitated by Vera de Chalambert
Originally recorded on Sunday, October 29th, 2017 9:30am PST /12:30pm EST

“The secret essence of the soul that knows the truth is calling out to God: Beloved… strip me of the consolations of my complacent spirituality. Plunge me into the darkness where I cannot rely on any of my old tricks for maintaining my separation. Let me give up on trying to convince myself that my own spiritual deeds are bound to be pleasing to you. Take all my juicy spiritual feelings, Beloved, and dry them up, and then please light them on fire. Take my lofty spiritual concepts and plunge them into darkness, and then burn them. Let me only love you, Beloved. Let me quietly and with unutterable simplicity just love you.”
― Mirabai Starr

The sixteenth century poet-mystic, St. John of the Cross, coined the term “dark night of the soul” to evoke the kind of spiritual crisis that leads us from profound unknowing to radiant transformation. Through the dismantling that occurs in the depths of the dark night, we discover that our own ideas and agendas have no power to assuage our innate longing for the sacred, and that it is only through radical surrender that we find the sweetness of connection we have been searching for. Mirabai will explore how this perennial wisdom teaching gives us the tools we need to drop our attachment to outcomes so that we may be of service in a world in crisis.

Mirabai Starr writes, speaks and leads retreats on the inter-spiritual teachings of the mystics. Known for her revolutionary translations of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Julian of Norwich, Mirabai renders mystical masterpieces accessible, beautiful, and relevant to a contemporary circle of seekers. Her commentaries on the interconnected wisdom of all traditions are lyrical and evocative. Mirabai builds bridges not only between religious traditions, but also between contemplative life and compassionate service, between cultivating an inner relationship with the Beloved and expressing that intimacy in community, between the transformational power of loss and longing for the sacred.

Learn more about Mirabai Starr’s work at: www.mirabaistarr.com

This webinar will be recorded and available on demand so you may view at any time. Have any questions? Read our FAQ for webinar support. Zoom Instructions for Participants [PDF]

THE SAND EMERGENCE SERIES
The Emergence Series is a constellation of conversations with SAND speakers and teachers, intended as an exploration of the emergence palpable in the collective field at this time and an opportunity to connect with others in our community holding a ‘large vision’ and dedicated to the evolution of consciousness on the planet.

Old structures are being shaken up, old stories have come to their limits, old systems are failing us. What is emerging, where do we go from here, how do we hold it all in the tenderness of the awakening heart? What wisdom do the worlds great lineages and traditions have for us and what does the meeting of science and nonduality contribute to the emergent conversation? How does a mystic respond to a world in crisis?

Through the magic of technology, the Emergence Series is open to the participation of the entire global SAND community, LIVE! There will be opportunities to have personal interaction and ask questions of our guests. Our intention with this online series is to foster conversation, connection and community in between conferences and to offer windows of contact, wisdom and heart.

We invite our teachers to engage us from a perspective of embodied, living wisdom, and offer practical guidance that can support us in our relationships, our work, our community and our world at this time.

The Emergence Series is facilitated by Vera de Chalambert, a fellow SAND speaker, and Zaya Benazzo co-founder of Science and Non Duality.

If you enjoy this program please consider donating to SAND. Science and Nonduality is a not-for-profit organization and your donation goes directly towards continuing the development and expansion of the SAND vision and our community.