“When individuals have finished voiding themselves of all forms and apprehensible images, they will abide in this pure and simple light and be perfectly transformed in it.” The soul is purged and prepared for union with the divine light just as the wood is prepared for transformation into the fire. Finally, by heating and enkindling it from without, the fire transforms the wood into itself. Similarly, we should philosophize about this divine, loving fire of contemplation. – St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night