John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Ascent of Mount Carmel

I brought you into the land of Carmel to eat
its fruit and its good things, Jeremiah 2:7

The Ascent Of Mount Carmel  is one of four treatises written  by this 16th Century Spanish mystic and poet. It explores  the process and journey of the soul seeking spiritual union with God. The Dark night of the Soul,  The Living Flame of God, and the Spiritual Canticle are the other three pieces that complete this work.

Written around 1578 after his escape from prison, the Ascent is divided into three sections that form  a  commentary examining four poetic stanzas ( written by John) charting the   Soul's progress to the summit of the metaphorical Mount Carmel where God is encountered.  John contends that the purpose of this journey is "nothing less than transformation in God".