372: [Formed.] Fr. Ronald Rolheiser on the Dark Night of the Soul, Breaking the Hold of Sufficiency, The End Game of Spiritual Formation, and Becoming Aware of God
Jan 10, 2024
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Father Ronald Rolheiser, a brilliant priest, discusses the dark night of the soul, breaking the hold of self-sufficiency, the end game of spiritual formation, becoming aware of God, and the key to purity of heart.
Embrace childlikeness and break the illusion of self-sufficiency for spiritual formation.
Be present to God and avoid practical atheism by creating space for Him in our lives.
Expect and be patient with the dark night of the soul, embracing the mystery of faith and letting go of control.
Deep dives
The Importance of Childlikeness and Breaking Self-Sufficiency
The podcast discusses the importance of embracing childlikeness and breaking the illusion of self-sufficiency in the spiritual formation. It emphasizes that spiritual maturity is not about project self, but about yielding to God and becoming aware of His presence. The episode highlights the need to move beyond sophistication and return to a childlike simplicity in our faith. It also addresses the struggle of practical atheism, where we selectively depend on God in some areas of our lives while neglecting Him in others.
The Challenge of Being Present to God
The podcast explores the struggle of being present to God and avoiding practical atheism. It emphasizes that God is always present, but we are not always present to Him. It discusses how life's distractions and the illusion of self-sufficiency hinder our awareness of God's presence. The episode highlights the need to break free from the cultural fascination with sophistication and prioritize a childlike dependence on God. It encourages listeners to create space in their lives for God and listen to His voice.
Understanding the Dark Night of the Soul
The podcast delves into the concept of the dark night of the soul, a stage of spiritual formation that follows religious fervor. It explains that the dark night is not a failure of faith, but a failure of imagination. It is a period where God's presence may seem absent or distant, leading to a struggle in prayer and belief. The episode emphasizes the need to expect and be patient with the dark night, recognizing that it is a normal part of the spiritual journey. It encourages listeners to let go of control and immerse themselves in the mystery of faith.
Pursuing Purity of Heart through Overcoming Self-Interest and Control
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the importance of pursuing purity of heart. The speaker explains that purity of heart is achieved through two levels of maturity. The first level involves overcoming self-interest and the pleasure principle, in which actions are done for personal gratification. The speaker emphasizes the need to do things not because they mean something to oneself, but because they have intrinsic meaning. The second level of maturity involves being purified of one's own metaphysics and allowing faith, hope, and charity to guide one's life. This level requires letting go of control, trusting in God, and accepting the mystery of not fully understanding. Ultimately, purity of heart allows grace to flow into one's life without contamination and enables a deeper connection with God.
Recognizing Growth and Finding Hope in Times of Inner Turmoil and Obsession
The podcast also addresses the challenge of discerning growth and finding hope in times of inner turmoil and obsession. The speaker acknowledges that everyone experiences moments of feeling locked inside oneself and unable to see the beauty and goodness in the world. The speaker encourages listeners to forgive themselves for their struggles and to seek support from mentors, spiritual directors, or communities. It is important to recognize the need for help and not go through darkness alone. Sharing our burdens with others and relying on God's presence can alleviate feelings of despair and provide a path towards growth and healing.
Thanks for joining me this week for episode 372. It's week two of [Formed.], and today, the brilliant Father Ronald Rolheiser joins us to talk about the dark night of the soul, breaking the hold of self-sufficiency, the end game of spiritual formation, becoming aware of God, and the key to purity of heart. If you missed last week's episode with Craig Cooney, be sure and listen to our powerful conversation about walking through transition in life.
