[Canticle_of_Deborah]

The term loneliness was my term. Don't make too much out of it. It is not a rule of Catholic mysticism and I did not associate it with God. I only referred to it as part of the purging process on a person's personal path. Another person may use a different term.

Again, you are comparing exterior experiences to my discussion of interior changes. We are not talking about the same thing. kosta understands my intent. I don't know how to phrase this any other way.

[Agrarian]

Well,I'm not sure what you mean by exterior vs. interior, and therefore have no way of knowing whether we are talking about the same thing or not. The Orthodox spiritual life is built around close interior self-observation. It has been described as "experimental" by some modern Orthodox writers, in the sense that one follows the guidance of the Church, observes the interior effect that this has, discusses the changes with a spiritual guide to make sure that one is not deceiving oneself, etc...

Of course, the "hard evidence" of interior transformation is in external changes -- so in such discussions the internal and external are usually inextricably tied together.

We still may be completely talking at cross-purposes, though. I'll take your word for it that we are. I may be so immersed in the Orthodox way of thinking and talking about the spiritual life that I may find it difficult to follow what is being said about Catholic approaches.