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The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross

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"The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross" consists of the writings of this 16th century Spanish Mystic and Doctor of the Church. St. John was a Carmelite friar and friend of St. Theresa of Avila. A valued spiritual counselor, many of his works were written as instruction to religious who sought his guidance.

The book consists of four major works and many minor works. The major works are "The Ascent of Mount Carmel", "The Dark Night", "The Spiritual Canticle" and "The Living Flame of Love". Each of the major works consists of a poem, written by St. John, and an extensive, word by word, explanation. In the explanation, St. John reveals his own theology, supported by verses from Scripture.

The minor works consist of letters written to his contemporaries as well as a collection of St. John's poetry.

This is definitely not light reading. The reader must concentrate on his the text in order to appreciate what he is reading. I am glad that I read it from two perspectives. From an historical perspective, it provides the reader with a good introduction into the world of mystical writing. More importantly, from a spiritual perspective, this book gives the reader an insight into God's call to all Christians to draw themselves more closely to Himself. The spirit of this book is difficult to explain. It is a classical book which is better experienced than described.

The collected works of St. John of the Cross have been central to my own search for (or attempt to establish)a deep and authentic spiritual life. Because John is further removed than I realized twenty years ago from our current social context, it is very possible to misunderstand John in one way or another. His guidance is essentially flawless, but his parlance can be misunderstood. To remedy this in part, I obtained his collected works in the original Spanish. That has turned out to be helpful. While the translation is careful and correct, it necessarily fails to preserve the tone of the original in many specific contexts. To my own "ear" for prose, John actually speaks in a less sophisticated voice than the translator gives him. I find that voice easier to understand. My "bottom line" is that any interested person should definitely buy this book and read it thoroughly, but be quite careful to understand it in the original context. I know of no more difficult (or rewarding) book to read with actual insight.

I was almost dissuaded from buying this by Ms Ramirez' review but having all of John's works in one book was too much to resist, and I'm very glad I went ahead and bought it. Concerning the "old" English translation so admired by Ms Ramirez, it certainly sounds very beautiful but it is also very difficult to understand whereas this translation by Kavanaugh and Rodriguez is extremely easy to read and grasp. Sound and rhythm have their attraction, but I'll take understanding any day. Who among you honestly gathers more insight from the King James version of the bible as opposed to the NIV? The same principle applies here. The Collected Works does NOT read like a "text book", the layout is wonderful and the value of having all of John's works in hand is inestimable. Buy it, treasure it - it holds the full depth of true Christianity within it's covers. Indeed, it is a map of the landscape leading to heaven by one who knows the Way, and in simple terms understandable to all.

John of the Cross is best known to Enlgish readers for his spiritual classic "Dark Night," though he is hailed as one of Spain's greatest poets for his many poems that reflect his love for God, and his desire to known and love God better (his fame in that sense is simlar to Rumi's in which these are often used as romantic peoms for lovers too).

His writing in general exhorts people to love God, and reflect the idea that by purging one self of vices and cultivating virtues (chief among which are charity towards others and humilty in all) one will be better able to understand God's intentions for us and better able to love, which is the reflection of God to others. People he inspired included Therese of Liseux, Edith Stein, Teresa of Avila, and Pope John Paul II.

"Dark Night," portrays the passive purification that one's soul experiences when growing closer to God. It was written after "Ascent of Mount Carmel," which gives instructions as to how a person should work to actively purge the soul of imperfections in order to move closer to God. Both of tehse wroks have many similariteis with yogic and Buddhist philosophy.

The two works are deeply integrated and best read together. However, it is very difficult to find copies of "Ascent of Mount Carmel," since the work was incomplete. This volume offers one of the rare copies of this treasured text.

"The Collected Works" were translated and organized by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez, both of whom are Carmelite priests. The translation is as easy to read, as one can find of John's work, whose writing style is not as accessible as that by other popular mytics such as Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena. The book comprises everything written by John of the Cross, including his poems and some letters. The authors preface each work with a background that gives a summary of its importance and the historical context in which it was written.

The introduction of the book has an excellent abbreviated biography of John of Cross, and explains the influence that Teresa of Avila had on him and vice versa. The book's appendix has a glossary of terms which helps the reader better comprehend John's writing.

The use of footnotes through out the text is not excessive and does not interrupt the flow of the writing by distracting the reader's attention, but rather provides essential information at junctures in which the reader might be thinking "what???" There is also a helpful timeline in the beginning of the book that juxtaposes John of the Cross's life to events in Spanish history and the life of the Church. Finally, the book includes drawings made by John of the Cross that he designed to articulate his ideas to those he instructed. I can think of no better book with which to study John of the Cross in the English language, and when the book presents his drawings and poems, it offers the Spanish version next to the English.

In general, it's a book worth having because it includes his Sayings of Light and Love and his letters as well as his poetry and his major works: Ascent of Mt. Carmel, The Dark Night, the Spiritual Canticle and The Living Flame of Love.

My complaint has to do with the very prosaic nature of the translations. The abovementioned major works in this edition are written in academic American English. Even the layout screams "textbook." I first came upon John's major works online, on a site called "Ethereal Library." I read The Dark Night and Ascent .. in translations that captured a much greater sense of John's poetry and mysticism, as well as a sense of his own time and place in slightly (but not overwhelmingly) archaic language, where even the layout suggested more a long prose-poem than academic text. That other version was flavorful, glowing and delicious and, after reading it, I fell in love with St. John of the Cross.

Had I read this rather dry, textbook-style version first, I probably would have dismissed St. John as boring and difficult. For someone already familiar with St. John of the Cross, however, this book definitely offers examples of his thought and writing not normally available.

St. John of the Cross is one of the most famous mystics in the Catholic Church, as well as the world. He was a Carmelite priest, and lived - and suffered - in 16th century Spain, along with the equally famous Teresa of Avila (the two had great admiration for each other). He left behind a body of work that is classic in mystical literature - maxims on the spiritual life, instructions as to preparation, purification and ascent to God (The Ascent of Mount Carmel), the perils and trials of the spiritual life (The Dark Night of the Soul), and fruition and union with God (The Living Flame of Love and The Spiritual Canticle). His depth of thought, the profundity of his knowledge of God, and the beauty of his poetic writings rank him as a master in the mystical life. He uses, at times, difficult and verbose descriptions (certainly deep), which should not frighten off someone willing to read his writings. One must appreciate the fact that each saint has their own language on these matters, and that it is filtered through their personality, so while his "stages" may not perfectly match Teresa of Avila's (or any other saint's), the truth in the background is what counts, and is edifying, inspiring and illuminating. He is, today, a master teacher and model in spiritual matters, which go from leading an upright life, to purification (by God) of one's life, to trials (the dark night) meant to purify us, strengthen our faith and instruct us, to fruition and union with God, always stating that it is God's will as to His dealings with souls, so no two people can expect exactly the same paths, experiences or, even, necessarily, outcomes. Concerning this, he gives advice, warning, and illumination as to temptations, dangers, and expectations. I recommend his writings for their holiness, their helpfulness, and their sheer beauty, and counsel potential readers not to be frightened off by their "apparent" obtuseness.

This is the collected works by John of the Cross, a Christian mystic known for his deep relationship with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Both he and Teresa Avila are the chief mystics in the Western Christian tradition. Included in this collection are most of his works. These include his poetry, "Dark Night of the Soul," "Ascent of Mount Carmel," "Spiritual Canticle," "Living the Flame of Love," and "Sayings of Light and Love." Also some other random material is included. The works are rendered in beautiful English from the original Spanish (in the poetry section the original Spanish is listed too). John is the official patron of poetry for Spain, and if you read his works, you'll know why.

At a time when so many who write about the spiritual life and prayer are writing "fluff" and "feel good" spirituality, St. John of the Cross is a "tell it like it is" kinda man. HIs writings will truly help everyone from the beginning stages to the ultimate depths of intimacy with God. But be forwarned, his is not an easy way from human standpoints! His writings will challenge, help, exhort, inspire, and guide everyone into the depths of the most important relationship--the one with God. This particular translation of St. John's is probably the best one out there. It is faithful to the sense of the original spanish, but written in modern English! I strongly encourage everyone to read this book.

This book contains many profound things. St. John writes of the path to union with God. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in prayer or contemplation. St. John is unique in his combination of intellectual honesty, sound thought, fervent belief, and lack of self-awareness in writing. The lessons in this book are not easy; but they are intensely beautiful and true. I encourage every one of you to buy and read this book. Then read it again. It is more than worth it.

If one is truly interested in the depths of mystical experience and has some prior knowledge of the type of terminology employed by the enlightened Carmelite Saints of this era, there is no end to the guidance one may receive by these writings. And the superiority of St. John of the Cross in his explanations of every level of supernatural experience has never been matched. He also diagnoses our weaknessess, guides our path, and inspires our thoughts Though his works are not intended for lay people in particular, they can be applied if one seeks to live a deeply spiritual and mystical life, but it will take time and practice. He is a true master of this field, a Doctor in every sense of the word.