Detachment

Have you ever tried to read Ascent of Mt. Carmel or Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross? Did you end up frustrated or despondent? If so, then you missed the context in which detachment is … Continued

What does it cost to follow God? How much do you have to give in order to reach union with Him? Can you seek both God and material goods? How about spiritual goods? St. John of the Cross shows us … Continued

What does it mean to be detached from people? We often read saints talking about avoiding “particular friendships.” Does that apply to married people? Learn how the Evangelical Counsel of chastity relates to detachment from people. How can we be … Continued

St. John of the Cross wrote Ascent of Mt. Carmel for Carmelite nuns. The nuns were able to practice radical detachment through their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Is there a way that lay people can also practice these … Continued

Custody of the senses has become a forgotten practice. What is it? How can we practice custody of the eyes, ears, and other sensory organs? Further Reading: What is Custody of the Senses? (by Fr. John Bartunek) Discussion: Which sense … Continued

Humility is an essential virtue for detachment, as St. John of the Cross indicates in the final stanza of his poem Ascent of Mt. Carmel. This lesson also highlights the connection between John’s teaching and that of St. Therese of … Continued