The Three Ages Of The Interior Life

The Three Ages of the Interior Life: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

The Three Ages of the Interior Life is an influential work by the Carmelite mystic St. John of the Cross. In this profound treatise, St. John describes three stages of spiritual growth that the soul progresses through on its journey to union with God.

The first age is the period of beginners. During this stage, the soul is focused on the external practices of the faith, such as prayer, meditation, and the sacraments. The soul is still heavily attached to the world and its pleasures, and it may experience periods of dryness and desolation in its spiritual life.

The second age is the period of the proficient. During this stage, the soul begins to interiorize its spiritual life and to develop a deeper relationship with God. The soul becomes more aware of its own sinfulness and weakness, and it begins to experience the need for purification. This purification can take many forms, such as temptations, trials, and persecutions.

The third age is the period of the perfect. During this stage, the soul has reached a high degree of union with God. The soul is now detached from the world and its pleasures, and it experiences a deep and abiding peace. The soul is now able to live in constant communion with God, and it experiences the fullness of joy and love.

St. John of the Cross emphasizes that the Three Ages of the Interior Life is not a linear progression. The soul may move back and forth between the different stages, and it may experience periods of progress and regress. However, the ultimate goal of the spiritual life is to reach the third age, the age of perfection.

The Three Ages of the Interior Life is a valuable guide for anyone who is seeking to deepen their relationship with God. St. John of the Cross provides a profound and insightful understanding of the spiritual journey, and his teachings can help us to navigate the challenges and obstacles that we will inevitably encounter along the way.