Discouragement

The taking up of a spiritual path which requires continual application of discipline requires fortitude and strength of character which even the strongest find hard. Periods of psychological growth are invariably followed by times of discouragement and often depression. These are said to be caused by the contrast between the purity and beauty of what is contemplated and the impurity and misery of the contemplating. Such discouragement may be viewed as evidence of development, and continuing on the chosen path despite aridity of spirit eventually leads to further growth.