Spiritual Coaching
Dark Night of the Soul: Meaning, Signs, and How to Cope
A season of loss, doubt, and emptiness that many people describe on the spiritual path, and how to move through it with care.
The dark night of the soul is a phrase for a period of deep emptiness, doubt, or lost meaning. It began as a description of a stage in Christian mysticism and is now used far more widely. It can feel like grief, and it can overlap with depression. This guide explains where the term comes from, how to tell the difference, and how to care for yourself.
Quick Answer
The dark night of the soul is a period of spiritual emptiness, doubt, or loss of meaning. The term comes from a 16th-century poem by the Spanish mystic Saint John of the Cross. Today people use it for any deep crisis of meaning. Because it can look like depression, persistent low mood, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm call for prompt help from a licensed professional.
In This Guide
Where the Term Comes From
The phrase comes from Saint John of the Cross, a Spanish Carmelite priest and mystic of the 16th century. His poem Noche oscura, or Dark Night, and his commentaries describe a stage in which a person who feels close to God experiences dryness, absence, and confusion. He understood it as a period of purification that led toward deeper union.
Outside that tradition, the phrase now covers many kinds of hardship. People use it after loss, illness, divorce, burnout, or the collapse of a belief system, and some see it as one phase of a wider spiritual awakening.
Common Signs
- Loss of meaning. Things that once felt important seem flat or pointless.
- Spiritual dryness. Prayer, meditation, or other practices no longer bring comfort.
- Doubt. Beliefs about God, purpose, or the universe feel shaky.
- Isolation. You feel unable to explain what is happening to the people around you.
- Grief without a clear cause. Sadness or longing arrives even when life looks fine.
- Low energy. Motivation, sleep, and appetite may shift.
Several of these are also symptoms of depression.
Dark Night or Depression?
Psychiatrist Gerald May explored how spiritual darkness relates to depression in his book The Dark Night of the Soul (2004). He noted that the two can look alike and can occur together. Some differences tend to show up, and they are not a test.
| Question | Points more toward a dark night | Points more toward depression |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Meaning feels lost, and you may still long for it | Interest and pleasure fade across most areas of life |
| Daily function | You can usually keep up with daily tasks, though it feels hard | Work, eating, sleep, or self-care become difficult to maintain |
| How you see yourself | Doubt and searching | Persistent worthlessness or guilt |
| Thoughts of death | Not a defining feature | Can occur and needs immediate attention |
Only a licensed professional can tell the two apart. Clinical depression involves low mood or loss of interest lasting two weeks or more, along with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, or self-worth. If this sounds familiar, see a doctor or therapist. Spiritual support can continue alongside treatment.
If You Are in Crisis
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States, or call 911 in an emergency. A licensed doctor or therapist can help sort out what is happening, and you can keep your spiritual practice as part of your care.
Gentle Ways to Care for Yourself
- Lower the demands. Do less, rest more, and postpone decisions that can wait.
- Keep small routines. Regular meals, sleep, and short walks give the days some shape.
- Write it down. Journaling helps you see how your mood moves over time.
- Keep practices simple. Some people find a few quiet minutes or a familiar prayer easier than long sessions.
- Let someone in. Tell a friend, family member, therapist, or spiritual guide what is happening.
- Move your body. Walking, stretching, or time in nature can ease heaviness.
- Avoid numbing. Alcohol and constant distraction can prolong a low period.
Accounts of the dark night often describe it as temporary, though nobody can predict how long it lasts, and many people say they came out of it with a changed sense of what matters. Some do not find it passing, and no one should have to push through alone.
Support From a Spiritual Coach
A spiritual coach can offer a steady presence, a place to talk through meaning and doubt, and practical steps for daily life. Spiritual coaching with Marcelina Hardy centers on values, direction, and grounded next steps. It does not replace therapy, and it can work alongside it.
You may also want to read how to find your spiritual purpose when you feel lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dark night of the soul in simple terms?
It is a period of deep spiritual emptiness, doubt, or loss of meaning. The term comes from a poem by Saint John of the Cross, and people now use it for many kinds of crisis of meaning.
How long does the dark night of the soul last?
There is no set length. Accounts range from months to years. If low mood lasts more than two weeks or interferes with daily life, talk with a doctor or therapist.
Is the dark night of the soul the same as depression?
Not always. They can look alike and can occur together, and only a licensed professional can tell you which applies.
Is the dark night of the soul a sign of spiritual growth?
Some traditions and writers describe it that way, and many people find meaning in it afterward. That view is a belief and a way of interpreting hardship, and it should not stop anyone from seeking care.
What should I do first?
Focus on the basics: sleep, food, movement, and one trusted person to talk with. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 in the United States.
Keep Reading
- Spiritual awakening
Common signs, how it differs from other struggles, and how to stay grounded. - Find your spiritual purpose when you feel lost
Practical steps for when direction feels unclear. - How to talk with your spirit guides
Ways people describe connecting with guidance. - Soul contract
The belief that we choose lessons and relationships before birth.
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This page is for education and personal development and is not medical or mental health advice. It cannot diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. If you have health concerns, please talk with a licensed medical or mental health professional. Services at Intuitive Clarity Hypnosis support relaxation, reflection, and personal growth alongside professional care, not in place of it. Read full disclaimer.
You Do Not Have to Go Through This Alone
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