Five Traits of Contemplation

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St. John of the Cross: Five Traits of Contemplation

This excerpt comes from The Spiritual Canticle, Stanza 15, #24. St. John is describing the light and heights of contemplation using the image of a sparrow based on Psalm 102:7. "I have kept watch and am become like a solitary sparrow on the housetop."

First, the sparrow ordinarily perches on the highest things. And so the spirit at this stage is placed in the highest contemplation.

Second, it always turns its beak toward the wind. Thus the spirit ever turns the beak of its affection toward the Spirit of Love, who is God.
Third, it is usually alone and allows no other bird close to it; when another perches nearby, it flies away. Thus the spirit in this contemplation is alone in regard to all things, stripped of them all, nor does it allow within itself anything other than solitude in God.

The fourth trait is that it sings very sweetly. And so does the spirit sing sweetly to God at this time, for the praises it renders him are of the most delightful love, pleasant to the soul and precious in God's eyes.

The fifth is that it possesses no definite color. So neither does the perfect spirit, in this excess,have any color of sensible affection or self-love; it does not even have an particular consideration in either of its lower or higher part, nor will it be able to describe the mode or manner of this excess, for what it possesses is an abyss of the knowledge of God.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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