the difference between heaven and hell , page-8

If heaven is a state of purified mind & hell the variable state of a cluttered mind (of unfulfilled desires etc.)

some paths make a two-find distinction: (i) hell & (ii) heaven and other paths make a threefold distinction: (i) hell (anguish); (ii) heaven (bliss); & (iii) purity (nirvana)



what role does the Dark Night of the Soul play in rectifying a mind of lower level consciousness (hell) to a more heavenly state of mindfulness?

the Dark Night occurs to the good person (mind); thus can be a transition from heaven, to hell, to another heaven & then to nirvana

thus the Nicene Creed has stated: ""He descended into hell" before rising again

this is why it is useful to distinguish between heaven (gained by good people who gain joy from doing charity, from being loving & the like) and nirvana (purity)

heaven & purity can be distinguished and the Dark Night is a transition of the good person to purity when filial love ceases to be the priority of the mind



Does the Dark Night release a flood of "samskaras" [conditioned mental tendencies/formations] from the cellular structure of the body, or a multitude of "impressions" embedded in the subconscious, into the consciousness;

yes. the Dark Night releases both in-born (instinctual) & conditioned (nurtured) mental tendencies & is akin to an addicts cold turkey but much further because the addict purifies gross cravings where as the Dark Night results in a death of the "self" as was always previously manifest thus an 'existential dark night'


a "flood" that is thus experienced as acute Suffering

buddha explained all suffering is from the unwanted death of "self-identity" & this is the acute suffering of the Dark Night, where the sense of 'self' disintegrates

if we read about Mother Teresa's Dark Night, it become unfortunate she had no buddhist learning to assist her in her experience because the transcripts show her mind kept clinging to concepts of 'self', be they concepts of 'her', 'jesus' or 'god'.

the impression gained is Mother was unable to go thru the emptiness to the state of purified senses & mind since she seemed to keep believing filial love (i.e., a relationship between 'her', 'jesus' & 'god') was the goal of the holy life



- which can last for several years or, for that matter, a score of years, as the mind is emptied ?

Jesus said: "no one knows the day or hour when the Dark Night ends" therefore to maintain watchfulness

Buddha said: "with him has a noble friend one takes refuge in the noble eightfold path" and when "trust is taken in the noble eightfold path the world will not be empty of awakened minds"

thus there is a trade-off between the purifying energies of nature & the views of the person

it seems nature was trying to purify Mother Teresa's mind but her religious conditioning was an obstacle to not fearing the desolation of the Dark Night & accepting the emptiness until the emptiness became sparkling clear luminous light



Does the process of the Dark Night bring with it any worldly benefits or does the person "chop wood, carry water" prior to enlightenment & "chop wood, carry water" post the purifying process ?

possibly but not always. only nature knows

for those that having disposition to be a guru, teacher, leader or healer, then purification thru the Dark Night will enhance their worldly disposition or role

where as the more simple minded will chop wood & carry water as before

some buddhas take up a worldly role & others remain silent in anonymity

regards