Nada.
Nothing.
No declarations.
No pronouncements.
No promises.
No affirmations.
No negations.
No cleverness.
No pursuits.
No efforts.
No justifications.
No guilt.
No pride.
No shame.
No blame.
No avowal .
No allegations.
No premeditation.
No rationalization.
No analyzation.
No dissecting.
No debating.
No delusions.
No distractions.
No deflections.
No diversions.
No decisions.
No conclusions.
Cease and desist.
Wipe the slate clean.
Reset and restore.
A foundation fallen upon.
It is so very difficult.
Nearly impossible.
Only possible through the grace of God.

The word “nada” or “nothing” in English is used to summarize the whole doctrine of St. John of the Cross. And yet, this is a premature assumption because “nada” in St John, is only a means to an end, not the end in itself. This is important to know because St. John was not a “quietist” (a heretical movement in the Church during his time). The reputation he has of being a “hard to follow” guide comes from his insistence on this doctrine of the “nada.” –Quoted from a blog by a Carmelite sister: Mount Carmel.

They (spiritual aspirants) then grow weary and strive, as was their custom, to concentrate their faculties with some satisfaction on a subject of meditation, and they think that if they do not do this and do not feel that they are at work, they are doing nothing. This effort of theirs is accompanied by an interior reluctance and repugnance on the part of the soul, for it would be pleased to dwell in that quietude and idleness without working with the faculties.

They consequently impair God’s work and do not profit by their own. In searching for spirit, they lose the spirit that was the source of their tranquility and peace. They are like someone who turns from what has already been done in order to do it again, or like one who leaves a city only to re-enter it, or they are like a hunter who abandons the prey in order to go hunting again. It is useless, then, for the soul to TRY to meditate because it will no longer profit by this exercise. –St John of the Cross, ‘Dark Night of the Soul’

Though the path is plain and smooth for people of good will, those who walk it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty if they do not have good feet, courage, and tenacity of spirit. — St John of the Cross, ‘Sayings of Light and Love’