The dark night of the soul, while primarily a spiritual and emotional experience, can also manifest in various physical symptoms. These symptoms can be intense and may overlap with those associated with stress, depression, and anxiety. 

Here are some common physical symptoms that individuals might experience during the dark night of the soul:

• Fatigue and Exhaustion:
  • Chronic Fatigue: Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even after adequate rest.

• Sleep Disturbances:
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping, irregular sleep patterns, and restless nights.

• Changes in Appetite and Weight:
  • Loss of Appetite: Reduced interest in food, leading to unintentional weight loss.

• Increased Appetite: Emotional eating or cravings for comfort foods, potentially leading to weight gain.

• Physical Pain and Discomfort:
  • Muscle Tension:
  • Increased tension in the neck, shoulders, and back, often due to emotional stress.

• Headaches: Frequent headaches or migraines, which can be stress-related.

• Digestive Issues:
  • Stomach Problems:
  • Nausea, indigestion, and stomach aches, which can be exacerbated by anxiety and emotional distress.

• Bowel Irregularities: Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea.

• Respiratory Symptoms:
  • Shortness of Breath: Feeling breathless or experiencing shallow breathing, often linked to anxiety and panic attacks.

• Chest Tightness: A sensation of tightness or pressure in the chest, which can be alarming but is often related to stress.

• Cardiovascular Symptoms:
  • Heart Palpitations: Experiencing irregular or rapid heartbeats, which can be caused by anxiety.

• High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure due to chronic stress and emotional strain.

• Sweating and Temperature Fluctuations:
  • Excessive Sweating: Increased sweating, especially in stressful situations or during panic attacks.

• Cold or Hot Flashes: Sudden changes in body temperature, feeling alternately hot or cold.

• Dizziness and Light headedness:
  • Dizziness: Feeling faint or unsteady, which can be a result of anxiety or hyperventilation.

• Vertigo: A spinning sensation or feeling off-balance.

• Immune System Weakness:
  • Frequent Illness: Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, and other infections due to a weakened immune system.

• Slow Recovery: Prolonged recovery time from illnesses and injuries.

• Neurological Symptoms:
  • Tingling Sensations: Numbness or tingling in extremities, often related to stress-induced hyperventilation.

• Tremors: Shaking or trembling, particularly in the hands.

Managing Physical Symptoms:

• Seek Professional Help:
  • Consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions and to receive appropriate treatment for physical symptoms.

• Practice Stress Management:
  • Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation.

• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritise balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to support overall well-being.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help manage symptoms like headaches and dizziness.

• Monitor Mental Health:
  • Consider therapy or working with a Spiritual Coach, seek counselling to address emotional and psychological aspects of the dark night of the soul, which can in turn alleviate any physical symptoms.

Understanding that these physical symptoms are part of a broader spiritual and emotional experience can provide some reassurance and help guide individuals toward appropriate coping strategies and support.

Key Characteristics of the Dark Night of the Soul:

• Loss of Life’s Meaning:
  • A profound questioning of one’s beliefs, values, and purpose in life.

• Feelings of existential angst and confusion about one’s place in the world.

• Emotional Turmoil:
  • Intense emotions such as sadness, despair, and hopelessness.

• A sense of being lost or in a state of inner darkness.

• Purification and Transformation:
  • The dark night is often viewed by spirituals as a purifying process where the soul is cleansed of attachments, ego, and false beliefs. It is seen as a necessary phase to attain a deeper and more authentic union with the divine or a higher state of consciousness.

Inner Growth:

• Despite the pain, this period can lead to significant personal and spiritual growth.

• It encourages introspection, self-awareness, and ultimately, a stronger and more resilient faith or sense of one’s self.

• It is considered a challenging but necessary stage in the process of reaching a higher state of spiritual awareness.

Here’s some holistic approaches that Gill recommends: 

• Grounding Techniques:
  • Use grounding techniques , breath work and meditation to stay present and manage anxiety, which can help reduce physical manifestations of stress.

• Seek Support:
  • Talking to a spiritual advisor, therapist, or trusted friend can provide guidance and comfort.

• Join support groups or communities that understand and can offer support during this challenging time.

• Embrace the Process:
  • Accept that the dark night is part of the spiritual or personal growth journey.

• Practice patience and self-compassion, recognising that this period, though difficult, is temporary.

Engage in Reflective Practices:

• Meditation, prayer, journaling, or other reflective practices can help process the emotions and thoughts that arise.

• Explore spiritual literature or teachings that resonate with your experience.

Gill recommends three best-selling books that explore the concept of the dark night of the soul and the broader journey of spiritual awakening:

1.

Dark Nights of the Soul: 

A Guide to Finding Your Way Through Life's Ordeals

By Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore offers a contemporary perspective on the dark night of the soul, framing it as a transformative experience that can lead to personal and spiritual growth. Drawing from various spiritual traditions, literature, and psychology, Moore provides insights and practical advice on how to navigate and embrace life's challenges as opportunities for profound change.

Why Gill Recommends it: Moore’s book is accessible and relatable, making it a valuable resource for those experiencing dark nights and seeking to find deeper meaning in their struggles.

2.

The Dark Night of the Soul

By St. John of the Cross

This classic work by St. John of the Cross, a 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet, is the foundational text on the dark night of the soul. The book describes the spiritual journey through which a soul detaches from worldly attachments and undergoes purification to achieve union with the divine. It offers profound spiritual wisdom and guidance for those experiencing deep spiritual crises.

Why It’s Recommended by Gill: As the original treatise on the dark night of the soul, this book provides timeless insights and a rich understanding of the spiritual dimensions of this experience.

3.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

By Eckhart Tolle

While not solely focused on the dark night of the soul, Eckhart Tolle’s "The Power of Now" addresses many aspects of spiritual awakening and the dissolution of the ego. Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment and offers practical advice on how to transcend past traumas and future anxieties to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Why It’s Recommended by Gill: Tolle’s work is widely acclaimed for its clarity and depth, providing valuable guidance for those undergoing spiritual transformations, including the dark night of the soul.

Gill believes these books collectively offer a range of perspectives from classic spiritual writings to modern interpretations that can help individuals understand and navigate the dark night of the soul and the broader journey of spiritual awakening.

• Focus on Self-Care:
  • Take care of your physical health with proper nutrition, exercise, and rest.

• Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, even if they feel less meaningful during this time.

• Stay Connected to Your Values:
  • Remind yourself of your core values and beliefs, even if they are being questioned.

• Find ways to live in alignment with your values, which can provide a sense of stability and purpose.

The dark night of the soul is a deeply personal and often transformative experience. While it involves significant suffering and introspection, it is also seen as a gateway to deeper understanding, spiritual maturity, and ultimately, a more profound connection with oneself or the divine.  The dark night of the soul can hit you out of the blue at any time during your life, but often happens during or around menopause, or can be triggered by a traumatic life event or near-death experience NDE.  Just learning about it and understanding the symptoms helped Gill immensely during her own challenging time and spiritual awakening.  It should be reassuring to know that Gill is available to help you.