Hello FGman;  thank you for writing and telling us about yourself!
You did not say if you are a student of the Course in Miracles.
If you are not, then I would have to say that the Course pathway is not usually one that can be adopted quickly, or readily understood.  Usually, it involves a period of time to immerse yourself in it, and to train your mind to give over your perceptions to spiritual solutions.
So, if you are finding yourself in distress, there is great value in finding a mentor with whom you can discuss your situation.  You are not alone;  you are loved; and sometimes the presence of listeners is invaluable to help realise this.
If you are a student of the Course, then I could remind you that, in it's teachings, it says that discomfort  is the result of some form of unforgiveness.  Could you relate to this??  This could be toward yourself as well as others.
You can say, "I will forgive, and this will disappear."  See what your reaction is.
This is a great time to begin reading the Course, either again or for the first time; I recommend 2 or 3 pages of the Text every day.  Just keep reading;  what you don't understand at the time will become clear to you later on.  And you will learn to let your perceptions be brought to the Light for healing.
In chapter 15, there is a lovely talk on Christmas, and it's meaning, from the Course.  This would be lovely to reflect on, and so appropriate for this season.
  Peace be with you!    Fran

Hi there;  I am replying again from the frozen, snow-laden area of Canada.  Wow, what a winter so far!
Anyway, feel I have to comment again;  hope it's ok.
Firstly, I think you are making a mistake in mixing paths like you are.  When you refer to Dark Night of the Soul, then I am assuming that you have read the works of the Christian Mystics, at least St John of the Cross?  Probably other disciplines as well?   Then, to top it off, you asked for quick results?  Why?
In mixing disciplines, the main problem is one of vocabulary, and a bit of a different perspective, although the purpose and the pathway are very similar.  (I am saying this from a personal perspective regarding Christian mysticism and the Course.)  But, one study at a time please, or you end up with spiritual indigestion.
Your advice to "freewheel"  and go on unconcerned was good.  There is no rush, and life experience and maturity helps. Nothing is lost once you have started the journey, and you will come back to it.
I repeat that you need to find a spiritual mentor.  He doesn't have to be an ideal match or a long-term advisor.  For now you need someone with good common sense to keep you grounded.  How about a guidance counsellor or an old family friend, or call a diocese office for names of spiritual directors, ones with psychological training as well as spiritual.  They are out there.
Finally, common-sense advice to you is to look after your health very well right now.  Get enough sleep, eat well and regularly, walk outside every day possible, perhaps keep a journal.  If you have no interest in these things, perhaps we would have to think of a clinical depression.
There is a lot to consider before you decide that you are going through a certain stage.  Often we are the poorest judges of ourselves and our mental states.  Beware of the ego that thinks it is going through something special;  the ego can sneak into everything.
Lastly,  I don't think there is any comparison between the Dark Night of the Soul"  and the "Bridge to the Real World."  Not in scope or depth.  I just read the chapter to make sure.  I am wondering if you had a change in a special relationship that made you relate to that chapter, as I read the purpose of the disorientation in that sense being mostly in realising the undesirability of having special relationships and thus a temporary sense of loss or "sacrifice."
There is a much longer and detailed description of a longer period of discomfort, described in the Manual under "Development in Trust."  This can be a real trial of letting go, but this I don't see as being where you are at.  It comes later on, after you have made some real gains, and are more ready for it.  But, all of this is all under the guidance of Holy Spirit, so discomfort comes from our own resistance.  Whether Dark Night of the Soul equates to "Development of Trust", I can't say, but it seems they could be.  It doesn't seem to me that this is your situation, but this is where you need some good advice after you have described your thoughts and symptoms to an advisor.
I hope that I have been of some help to you;  I have thought and prayed about what could best help you, and this is what I came up with;  nothing too startling.  Relax, look after yourself, and Holy Spirit will surely keep guiding you.
Please keep in touch.  I will pray with you.
   Love and peace      Fran

Fgman...  I think recognizing that we are having a 'Dark Night of the Soul' moment is very revealing.  I had heard of the concept years ago...but until I read St John of the Cross's personal discription did I understand what he was impying for himself in writing on this topic...or his State of Mind.... which ironically or not...he wrote while imprisioned for heresey.

One line really caught my eye as I read over the manuscript and it was attributed to King David and his own decision to walk away from his Dark Night, as it were.... the words in (   ) are mine iterpretation...you may see differently...


.......‘In the desert land (alone in silence), water less (empty of ideas), dry (the desire to be nourished) and pathless
(no set-doctrine to guide but free of all worldly attempts to understand God-Self,) I appeared before Thee, that I might see Thy virtue and Thy glory....’

I approach life as I am walking along a Medicine Wheel... all paths lead to the rim... (the joining of our holy relationships) or the center..the source of all that is.   Either way we cannot be lost for long, if ever.

I differ from Frand and others who think...we must obliage one path... some brave souls and responsible for connecting all paths as the same.

Years a go I thought the Bahi, teachings were incridible and something I wanted to share as a community... but when I was told to be a member I had to forsake all other teachings... this to me is unacceptable... my personal discernment is the strength behind my free will... there is no separation.. so whether under a rock, or in a sliver of wood, or where-ever we look there He is...there we are...and it is a beautful thing to behold... The idea behind Salvation...is to know there was and is nothing to fear...nothing to forgive..for there is only the one son/child and he is guitless and free.

some thoughts.... with peace j

Hi FGnam,

No one, who has not experienced the dark night of the spirit/soul, will know what you are experiencing and what causes it.

I have been experiencing, what seems like this dark night, for almost 19 years.  There is nothing that one can do, but wait on the Higher Self and reunion.  Meditation and stillness is the only thing that is any relief.  I did the whole Course in Miracles for the year too and many other things.  St. John of the Cross' Dark Night of Soul tells of the suffering one goes through, but never tells of just how the physical body was affected.  He did experience great hopelessness.

The burning and physical pain comes from outside the body, in my case...it is torture.  There are no words that can express this prison and this tremendous hopelessness.  And no one understands this, except one who has experienced it.

Bless you, SGS