The Relevance of Mystic Poetry and Its Connection to the 'Cántico Espiritual' by San Juan de la Cruz

The Relevance of Mystic Poetry and Its Connection to the 'Cántico Espiritual' by San Juan de la Cruz

Mystic poetry holds a special place in the literary world as it seeks to capture the experience of divine love in an aesthetic manner. It encompasses two expressive levels: the interior experience and the linguistic composition. While both levels are present in all forms of poetry, they take on a distinct significance in mystic poetry, allowing it to convey a deeper meaning. As Pedro Sainz Rodríguez stated in his renowned Anthology of Spanish Spiritual Literature, spirituality, whether ascetic or mystical, transcends the confines of specialized treatises on mystical theology or books about prayer. It permeates various sectors of religious literature, including sermons, letters, exegetical commentaries, lives of Christ and the Virgin, hagiographies, confessions, and treatises on piety. Interestingly, Sainz Rodríguez failed to mention mystic poetry, which possesses a unique ability to convey the mystical experience. There is something about poetry that makes it particularly suitable for transmitting the essence of the mystical life. The "I" of the mystic poet is the lyrical subject renewed by contact with the transcendental subject.

The 'Cántico Espiritual' by San Juan de la Cruz is a noteworthy example of mystic poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Lola Josa, a scholar with an impressive understanding of the subject matter, has shed new light on this essential text, highlighting its Hebrew wisdom and positioning its author among the Christians of his time who sought to immerse themselves in biblical sources. Josa argues that reading the 'Cántico Espiritual' is crucial in our current literary explorations. She explains that the poetry of San Juan de la Cruz serves as a deaf file, removing splinters, liberating us, and exposing our vulnerabilities, allowing us to experience the boundlessness of our creative and imaginative minds, which is essential for our freedom. The lyrical voice of San Juan de la Cruz sings and recounts experiences that only a human consciousness, a so-called "soul" hungry for wisdom, can live in its irreducible solitude, without the need for anything other than meditating on what has been learned. Furthermore, reading the works of the most charismatic mystic of the Western world is familiarizing ourselves with the genius of a music born from the perfect word, harmonizing us imperceptibly. It is an invitation to encounter someone who was undoubtedly exceptionally wise and who, through experience, knew the possibility of becoming one with God.

Among Lola Josa's insightful observations, one notable parallel she draws is between San Juan de la Cruz and Casiodoro de Reina regarding the translation of the book of Ezekiel. This convergence reveals the extent to which the former's work can be considered a sublimated translation exercise of the Bible. In the case of the 'Cántico Espiritual,' it delves into the Song of Songs, unable to provide an exegesis of a mysticism (that of San Juan) born from the confident and secretive coexistence between Hebrew and Christian sages. This explains why certain words and concepts introduced by San Juan de la Cruz in his verses and commentaries could not be understood, as they are unique to Hebrew wisdom. For example, the distribution of the categories of "Bride" and "Bridegroom" should only be examined from the moment of their first nuptials. Through my work, I have been able to differentiate and establish the interlocutors as fruitful encounters between the lovers and future spouses unfold in the stanzas. Additionally, there is a third voice that had not been identified, distinct from the interlocutors. It belongs to a narrator who testifies to what the spouses experience in their intimacy. Previously, there were temporal jumps that hindered understanding of what was happening in the poem, as well as abrupt changes in the use of pronouns that confused the reading and forced certain interpretations.

It is worth noting that San Juan de la Cruz conceived and wrote his poem in a degrading prison where his jailer provided him with paper and ink to write. He also gave him a needle and thread, which San Juan used to sew blankets and rags for his escape. He carried with him the notebook containing the first thirty-one stanzas of the Songs between the Soul and the Bridegroom, which he had composed from memory on the night of his imprisonment. Through an erotic metaphor, the poem describes a profound mystical experience that is linked to Hebrew wisdom, seeking communion with God through an encounter with the essence of biblical word, as proposed by Casiodoro de Reina, the author of the first complete and forbidden translation of the Bible into Spanish, or Fray Luis de León, who was likely San Juan's teacher in Salamanca.

In conclusion, mystic poetry continues to hold relevance in our modern world, allowing us to explore the depths of the human experience and our connection to the divine. The 'Cántico Espiritual' by San Juan de la Cruz stands as a testament to the power of mystic poetry, offering profound insights into the nature of the soul's journey towards union with the divine. To fully appreciate and engage with mystic poetry, there are three actionable pieces of advice to consider:

1. Immerse yourself in the cultural and literary context: Understanding the historical, cultural, and religious influences that shaped mystic poetry will deepen your appreciation of its nuances and messages.

2. Engage in contemplative reading: Mystic poetry often requires a slower and more reflective reading approach. Take the time to savor each word and image, allowing them to resonate within you and evoke a deeper understanding.

3. Seek guidance from experts and scholars: Mystic poetry can be complex and challenging to interpret. Engaging with commentaries and analyses by experts in the field will enhance your understanding and open up new layers of meaning.

By embracing these practices, we can delve into the mystical realm of poetry, connecting with the timeless wisdom and experiences expressed by mystic poets like San Juan de la Cruz.