Chapter 08
Three Attachments That Block Growth
Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a beginning is made of the explanation of this dark night. We may say, then, that three things have to be expelled from the soul that it may enter this way to union with God—namely, all attachment to the creatures, all attachment to its own pleasure in the things of God, and all attachment to its own way of understanding. Until the spirit is purged of these three kinds of attachment through the dark night, it cannot come to possess God in the union of love. For God must…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Identify Your Three Attachments
Make three columns labeled 'Material Security,' 'Emotional Comfort,' and 'My Way of Understanding.' In each column, write one thing you might be holding onto that could be limiting your growth. For example: a job that pays well but drains you, a relationship dynamic that feels good but keeps you small, or a belief about 'how things work' that prevents you from trying something new.
Consider:
- •Be honest about what you're afraid to lose, even if it's not serving you
- •Notice which attachment feels hardest to imagine releasing
- •Consider whether your attachment provides real security or just the illusion of control
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to let go of something important before you could move forward. What did that process teach you about the difference between holding on and holding back?
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