St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross was a 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet renowned for his writings on the spiritual journey toward union with God. He emphasized the "dark night of the soul," a transformative experience where the soul confronts inner turmoil to rise to deeper spiritual understanding. His works explore the inner dimensions of faith and the stages of spiritual growth, advocating for detachment from worldly desires to achieve true communion with the divine. His insights have profoundly influenced Christian mysticism, highlighting the importance of personal experience and the pursuit of a deep, intimate relationship with God.