The figure above shows a simulation of an intense period of Purgation or the Dark Night of the Soul during which the 5th, 4th, and 3rd knots in the heart are purged.
For example, the 4th knot is removed at the 607.84 minute mark as shown by curve 1. Then begins the 3rd knot period, a 47 second period from the 607.84 to the 608.63 minute mark, during which curve 4, FearDeathDueToKnot, rises accompanied by what Kierkegaard called 'fear and trembling'. This fear and trembling leads to intense and insightful prayer. The intensity is that of a drowning man crying out for help; the insightfulness is a gradual recognition that the source of the particular knot is a particular sin, hatred or guilt.
At the end of this 47 second period, just before the removal of the 3rd knot at the 608.63 minute mark, is the culminating point of the 3rd knot removal period when, in fear and trembling, the mystic-to-be accepts in the depths of his heart the deep insight into his sin, hatred, or guilt. This is what is needed to bring PrayerQuality (curve 2) to 100%, the forgiveness threshold, and produce the ForgivenessResponse and removal of the 3rd knot at the 608.63 minute mark.
Then FearDeathDueToKnot drops suddenly
from 87.2% of maximum all the way down to around 1% of maximum.
At that point there is extreme thankfulness to the Lord, accompanied
by rapture. This extreme thankfulness comes about because the blessed
Lord has answered his prayer, granted Forgiveness, and saved him from death.
"Forgetful of myself,Then the 2nd knot period begins, as the cycle repeats itself. Meanwhile, TruenessOfMind (curve 3) is rising inexorably as the knots are purged, leading eventually to mystical union.
My head reclined on my Beloved,
The world was gone
And all my cares at rest,
Forgotten all my grief among the lilies."
(from the "Dark Night" by John of the Cross).
For more detail, please see a complete narrative of the crisis.