23 Mar 2011

Lenten Reflection (No. 10) - Ascent of Mount Carmel

In order to arrive at having pleasure in everything, Desire to have pleasure in nothing.
In order to arrive at possessing everything, Desire to possess nothing.
In order to arrive at being everything, Desire to be nothing.
In order to arrive at knowing everything, Desire to know nothing.

In order to arrive at that point where you take no pleasure, you must go by a way that gives no pleasure.
In order to arrive at that point where you know nothing, you must go by a way you do not know.
In order to arrive at that point where you are free of possessing, you must go by a way you do not possess.
In order to arrive at that point at which you are nothing, you must go through that which you are not.
— St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, book I chapter 13, section 11
H/T to The Anchoress

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.