St. John of the Cross

Discouraged by lax observance of the Carmelite rule, John of the Cross considered entering another order, but was dissuaded by Teresa of Avila. He later joined with her in organizing the "Discalced" or observant branch of the Carmelite Order. The writings of John of the Cross combine a poetic sensitivity, a profound mysticism, the discrimination of a theologian trained in Thomist thought, and a dependence on the thought of Teresa of Avila. The abiding themes of John's acclaimed poetry are the mystical life of contemplation and union with the divine.