Unveiling Vulnerability's Ecstasy

Most of our society perceives vulnerability as a weakness, something to be avoided. By contrast, I believe that strength and courage flow from allowing oneself to be vulnerable within a relationship.

I have found myself drawn of late to mystics such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Both experienced ecstasy through intense meditation and prayer. St. Teresa envisioned an exquisite seraph of the highest order of angels holding a golden spear with a point of fire at the tip. He penetrated her heart to the entrails several times, and when the seraph drew out the spear she was “left completely afire with great love for God.”

“The pain was so sharp that it made me utter several moans; and so excessive was the sweetness caused me by this intense pain that one can never wish to lose it, nor will one’s soul be content with anything less than God. It is not bodily pain, but spiritual, though the body has a great share in it- indeed, a great share.”