What Is the Dark Night of the Soul and How to Go Through It
The dark night of the soul is a profoundly transformative experience that many people go through at some point in their spiritual journey. It is an intense process of inner crisis, where everything known seems to lose meaning and a genuine search for truth and purpose begins. In this article we explore what it means to go through this stage, how to identify it and what practices can help you to go through it with greater awareness and clarity.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Dark Night of the Soul?
- Signs That You Are Going Through a Dark Night of the Soul
- Differences Between the Dark Night of the Soul and Depression
- Stages of the Dark Night of the Soul
- Spiritual Practices to Pass Through the Dark Night of the Soul
- Spiritual Awakening After the Dark Night of the Soul
- The Dark Night of the Soul in the Teachings of Carl Jung
What Is the Dark Night of the Soul?
The dark night of the soul is a critical stage of spiritual awakening characterized by deep inner turmoil, loss of meaning and confrontation with the most hidden aspects of the self. It often arises after painful events or moments of crisis that shake internal structures and force a rethinking of the direction of life. It is not a psychological disorder, but a spiritual crisis that pushes the individual to detach from previous identities and explore his or her true purpose.
During this phase, there is an apparent disconnection from the outside world and a confrontation with repressed emotions, unhealed wounds and limiting patterns. This experience can be overwhelming, but it is precisely this crumbling that allows for a more authentic reconstruction. Far from being a sign of failure, it is an invitation to let go of what no longer serves to make way for a more integrated version of oneself.
In the series Sacred Power, available on Gaia, Caroline Myss explores this process in depth in the episode “The Dark Night of the Soul”. Through her guidance, you will learn to identify this stage as an essential part of spiritual development, differentiating it from a common emotional crisis, and discover how to transform it into an opportunity for inner growth.
Signs That You Are Going Through a Dark Night of the Soul
Going through a dark night of the soul can seem confusing at first, especially because its symptoms are often mistaken for common emotional or psychological states. However, there are clear signs that indicate a deep spiritual transformation. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Loss of purpose: You feel that nothing that used to motivate you makes sense and you struggle to find direction. The goals that used to drive you no longer represent you.
- Spiritual disconnection: You are overcome with the feeling that you are disconnected from the divine, the universe or any form of spirituality that used to sustain you.
- Constant introspection: You spend a lot of time questioning your beliefs, your personal history and the pillars on which you built your identity.
- Intense and contradictory emotions: You experience deep sadness, anxiety, anger or despair without a clear cause. These emotions seem to arise from a very internal place.
- Voluntary isolation: You prefer to be alone and avoid social contact. Solitude becomes necessary to process what you are experiencing.
- Desire to free yourself from old versions of yourself: There is an urge to let go of roles, masks or expectations that no longer align with who you really are.
- Attraction to the spiritual or mystical: Despite suffering, you feel a growing need to find answers in spiritual teachings, books, therapies or introspective practices.
Differences Between the Dark Night of the Soul and Depression
Although they share certain emotional symptoms, such as deep sadness or inner emptiness, dark night of the soul and depression are not the same. Depression is a clinical condition that may require medical or therapeutic treatment, while the dark night of the soul is a spiritual crisis that acts as a catalyst for deep inner transformation. In depression, there is a sense of stagnation; in the dark night, the pain has an evolutionary meaning, although it may not be evident at first.
During a depression, vital energy tends to decrease drastically, and it is common to feel apathy, total disconnection from the environment and lack of motivation even for basic tasks. On the other hand, those going through a dark night of the soul are often immersed in an existential quest: suffering is accompanied by deep questions about purpose, truth and the meaning of life. Emotional turmoil coexists with a longing for spiritual awakening.
Another key aspect is that depression is usually a closed state, where the person feels trapped, with no way out and no clear direction. The dark night of the soul, on the other hand, although painful, is a dynamic process that pushes toward transformation. As one goes through it, glimmers of clarity, inner realizations and a new connection to the essential begin to emerge.
Stages of the Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul does not occur suddenly or evenly; it unfolds in distinct stages that reflect the soul’s inner movement toward a new consciousness. It usually begins with an ego-break, followed by a phase of deep emptiness and loneliness, and culminates in surrender, acceptance and a spiritual rebirth that brings with it greater authenticity, connection and inner clarity.
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Ego Rupture and Loss of Meaning
The first stage is usually marked by a crisis that dismantles the personal structures with which the ego identified: roles, achievements, beliefs or relationships. What once gave meaning no longer holds, and the sense of disorientation can be overwhelming. This destabilization is not accidental: it is the way in which the soul begins to free itself from constructs that are no longer coherent with its deepest truth.
At this point, many people feel that they “hit bottom” because life as they knew it is no longer valuable. Certainties fade away and an internal process is triggered that invites a letting go of control. Although painful, this break is necessary to allow an identity to emerge that is more aligned with the soul’s purpose, rather than with external expectations or previous conditioning.
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Existential Emptiness and Inner Loneliness
After the rupture, a deep inner emptiness is experienced. This emptiness is not simply the absence of something, but a pause that interrupts the usual noise of the external world. Life feels directionless and old desires lose strength, giving way to a forced but fertile introspection. The soul enters silence, and that silence can seem unbearable if its purpose is not understood.
Loneliness becomes a constant companion, even when surrounded by other people. It is a loneliness that has nothing to do with social isolation, but with the disconnection from the superficial identity. Through this emotional retreat, an inner purification begins, where the soul is reunited with its essence and learns to sustain itself without depending on external validations.
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Surrender, Acceptance and Spiritual Rebirth
The final stage of the dark night of the soul begins when the person stops resisting the process and surrenders completely to what he or she is experiencing. This surrender is not resignation, but a sincere openness to transformation. Acceptance allows one to see suffering in a different light: no longer as punishment, but as part of the path to a deeper consciousness.
From this surrender, a spiritual rebirth emerges. A new sensitivity is awakened, a more genuine connection with life, and a clearer understanding of who one really is. This transformation does not eliminate the pain experienced, but integrates it as part of a greater wisdom. What once seemed like a crisis with no way out is revealed as an opportunity to begin again, from a truer place.
Spiritual Practices to Pass Through the Dark Night of the Soul
During the dark night of the soul, spiritual practices not only provide emotional containment, but also act as guides to understand the purpose behind the pain. Through concrete tools, it is possible to access states of greater clarity, sustain introspection and strengthen the connection with the spiritual dimension of the process.
- Meditation and contemplation: These practices help quiet the mind and observe thoughts without identifying with them. Through conscious silence, an inner presence is cultivated that brings stability in the midst of emotional chaos.
- Akashic Records: Consulting this source of energetic wisdom can offer answers about the soul’s learnings and the deeper causes of the current process. It facilitates a broader view of the spiritual purpose of what you are going through.
- Writing and silence: Keeping a journal allows for the release of repressed thoughts and clarification of emotions. Combined with spaces of voluntary silence, it enhances the connection with the inner voice and promotes deep self-exploration.
- Connection with nature: Being in contact with natural environments favors energetic and mental balance. Nature acts as a mirror and support during moments of greater inner disconnection.
- Retreats and sacred spaces: Getting away temporarily from the daily environment allows us to observe life with a greater perspective. These spaces foster a reconnection with the essential and with practices that nourish the soul.
Spiritual Awakening After the Dark Night of the Soul
Overcoming the dark night of the soul marks a before and after in the spiritual experience. What emerges after this journey is not an idealized version of the person, but a more authentic identity, free of conditioning. Awakening is not about feeling happy all the time, but about living with greater awareness, coherence and connection with the transcendent.
This inner rebirth is often accompanied by a deep gratitude for life, a heightened sensitivity to the subtle and an expanded compassion for oneself and others. Perceptions of time, relationships and life purposes change: the essential is prioritized and that which no longer makes sense from the soul is released.
Many people, after going through this transformation, experience a renewal of their faith, an openness to new forms of spirituality and a need to share their experience in order to accompany others. The awakening that follows the dark night is not a final destination, but the beginning of a life more aligned with the inner truth.
The Dark Night of the Soul in the Teachings of Carl Jung
Carl Jung, a pioneer of depth psychology, recognized the dark night of the soul as an inevitable stage on the path to individuation. For Jung, the human soul must confront and reconcile with its “shadow“-the repressed or denied aspects of the self-in order to achieve true spiritual and psychological maturity. This confrontation can generate great suffering, but it is also the gateway to a more integral consciousness.
Jung understood that inner darkness should not be avoided, but integrated. He affirmed that “there is no awakening of consciousness without pain”, and considered that existential crises were opportunities for the unconscious to bring transforming messages. In this sense, the dark night of the soul is not a collapse, but an archetypal process of disintegration and reconstruction of the self.
The Jungian legacy offers valuable tools to go through this period, such as dream work, active imagination and the observation of personal archetypes. Together, these practices allow us to dialogue with the unconscious, recognize repressed contents and move towards a more complete and authentic version of ourselves.
About the Author
Who Is Matias De Stefano and What Is His Mission?
Matías De Stefano, born in Argentina and recognized as an indigo child from an early age, has become an influential educator of planetary consciousness with a mission that transcends cultural and spiritual boundaries. In this article, we explore his journey from his earliest childhood memories to his travels around the world—each marked by deep revelations and the activation of ancient energy networks.
Table of Contents
- Origins and Awakening of an Indigo Child
- Adolescence and the Path to Consciousness
- Harwitum: The Journey from North to South
- 11/11/11: A Transformational Milestone
- Roma Amor: The Journey to Reconnect the Energy Grid
- The Path of the Dragon: Activation of Leylines
- Iam: An Exploration of Universal Connection
- Gaia and the Expansion of His Message
- Matías De Stefano and His Future Projects
Origins and Awakening of an Indigo Child
From a very young age, Matías De Stefano was recognized as an indigo child, characterized by a heightened perception and an innate connection to spiritual knowledge. He grew up in Venado Tuerto, Argentina, where at just three years old, he began recalling details of past lives and the spiritual structure of the universe, sharing these visions with those around him.
As a child, Matías not only displayed an unusual maturity for his age but also had an exceptional ability to explain complex concepts about energy and the cosmos in an accessible way. These abilities became the foundation of his future mission, preparing him for a meaningful role in bridging ancestral spiritual traditions with modern quests for meaning and unity.
Adolescence and the Path to Consciousness
During his teenage years, he moved to Spain, where he continued his secondary education. This period abroad allowed him to explore new cultures and philosophies, broadening his worldview and deepening his understanding of the spiritual connections he had begun to explore since childhood.
After finishing high school, Matías enrolled in university with the intention of becoming a teacher, specializing in Education. Although he did not complete his degree, this phase was crucial for his spiritual and professional development. During those years, Matías deepened his study of spiritual dynamics and began outlining what would later become his most important projects.
It was during this time that he began to develop the idea for the Harwitum project and the organization of the 11/11/11 event, which would later mark the beginning of his global influence in the spiritual realm.
Harwitum: The Journey from North to South
The journey known as Harwitum began in 2011 and was an ambitious project that took Matías around the world, activating and reconnecting ancient energy lines that link sacred sites of spiritual and natural power. This north-to-south path aimed not only to revitalize Earth’s energy nodes but also to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all energetic points on the planet—from the pyramids of Egypt to the stone circles of Stonehenge.
During his Harwitum project, Matías visited key locations that represent the Earth’s energy nodes. In each place, he carried out ceremonies to revitalize these energetic connections, focusing on the reactivation of their spiritual and physical potentials.
This journey culminated in Antarctica, where he conducted a symbolic ceremony during the December solstice of 2012. This event not only marked the beginning of a new era in planetary consciousness—aligned with ancient Mayan prophecies—but also coincided with the creation of the Arsayian Foundation. This organization was founded to continue and give structure to the initiatives that began with Harwitum, aiming to expand and sustain the awakening of consciousness and the reorganization of social systems in harmony with the principles of Ater Tumti.
11/11/11: A Transformational Milestone
November 11, 2011, marked a key milestone in the trajectory of Matías De Stefano with the organization of a global event for meditation and the celebration of unified consciousness, held in Capilla del Monte, Argentina. This event, aligned with the numerology of 11/11/11, symbolized the opening to new dimensions of perception and served as a catalyst for the collective awakening of humanity. On that day, Matías coordinated ceremonies combining rituals and visualization practices focused on strengthening the global energetic network and raising the vibration of the worldwide community.
The impact of the event exceeded expectations, initiating a cycle of annual gatherings aimed at maintaining and expanding the energy generated on that day. The global resonance of this date not only reaffirmed Matías’s role in the consciousness movement but also strengthened his network of collaborators and followers around the world.
In the series The Journey of Remembering, available on Gaia, Matías De Stefano shares firsthand the key moments of his spiritual path, including the preparation and profound meaning of the 11/11/11 event. This docuseries offers an intimate and authentic view into the experiences that marked the beginning of his global impact on collective consciousness.
Roma Amor: The Journey to Reconnect the Energy Grid
Following the 11/11/11 event, Matías dedicated himself to the Roma Amor project in the historic city of Rome. This initiative was designed to strengthen and reactivate spiritual and cultural energy nodes through a series of activities that integrated ancestral knowledge with modern perspectives. In Rome—a place of significant spiritual and cultural importance—meditations, talks, and gatherings with both local and international figures were held, culminating in public events that attracted global attention.
One of the most remarkable moments was the encounter between Matías and Pope Francis, symbolizing the union of diverse spiritual and cultural currents. This meeting highlighted the importance of fostering interreligious dialogue and global cooperation. It reinforced the relevance of Matías’s mission on an international scale, showcasing his ability to connect ancient traditions with contemporary approaches to spirituality and peace.
The Path of the Dragon: Activation of Leylines
The Path of the Dragon was one of Matías De Stefano’s most emblematic expeditions, tracing a vibrant route across Asia and into the British Isles. Inspired by the form of a dragon—a classic symbol of wisdom and power—this route was intended to revitalize the “leylines”, invisible energy channels that, according to various traditions, cross and connect sacred sites around the world. This journey took Matías from the energetic Silk Road to temples in Bhutan, the vast landscapes of Mongolia, and the mysterious hills of Wales.
At each stop, Matías and his team performed carefully designed rituals to “awaken” and strengthen these energy channels, aiming to harmonize the spiritual and natural energies of each location. By activating these leylines, their goal was not only to rejuvenate ancient sites but also to deepen global understanding of how different cultures connect to and honor the Earth.
By documenting and sharing his journey, Matías inspired a growing number of followers to explore a deeper understanding of their own lives and their connection to the higher self. As he recounted his experiences and knowledge about the planet’s spiritual and energetic networks, he enriched his audience’s perspective, providing meaningful context for his program Iam.
Iam: An Exploration of Universal Connection
Iam is an initiative designed to help individuals reconnect with their essential origin and understand the interconnection of all forms of life. This project proposes an introspective journey, in which participants discover how, through multiple existences and experiences, we all emerge from a single source: the I Am. This concept reflects the belief that each human being is part of a greater whole—a “We Are” that, scattered throughout the universe, seeks to reunite and remember its common origin.
At the heart of Iam lies the desire to restore harmony between the dispersed parts of our consciousness. Using a blend of digital technology, in-person gatherings, and multimedia learning experiences, the project facilitates the reconnection of individuals with their ancestral stories and cosmic roles.
Each activity and gathering within Iam is designed to awaken ancestral memory, allowing individuals to see how their personal lives are interwoven with the broader fabric of history and the cosmos. This reconnection with one’s spiritual self not only aims to provide clarity and personal purpose but also encourages participants to contribute actively to building a more conscious and connected society.
Gaia and the Expansion of His Message
Through his series on Gaia, Matías De Stefano has expanded his reach, bringing his message to a global audience. In Initiation viewers explore ancient spiritual knowledge and rituals, gaining access to ancestral wisdom and understanding its relevance in the modern world. The series enriches viewers’ perception of our connection with the cosmos.
The Journey of Remembering offers a more personal perspective on Matías’s experiences and teachings. Through this production, viewers have the opportunity to witness his spiritual revelations and transformative moments, inspiring them to explore and deepen their own spiritual path.
Matías De Stefano and His Future Projects
Through various initiatives and collaborations, Matías De Stefano continues to expand his vision for the future, bringing his teachings on planetary consciousness and spiritual evolution to a global audience. His project Ontocracy, for example, explores new models of governance based on self-regulation and autonomy, inspired by biological systems that function without centralized authority. This revolutionary approach proposes a radical shift in how communities can organize and manage themselves, reflecting a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness among all living beings.
In addition, Matías continues with his series Iam, which guides individuals on the path toward their higher self, showing how they can deeply connect with themselves and co-create their reality. This project not only supports personal transformation but also aims to generate collective impact, encouraging participants to help shape a new civilization grounded in harmony and universal balance. With these projects, Matías not only envisions a more enlightened future but actively works toward making it a reality.
