@ ordinary student
Many fail at the time of those spiritual nights. Yet, the few who manage to resist, truly succeed. But they are few, I repeat, those who manage to resist such a hard ordeal.
https://glorian.org/learn/glossary/s/spiritual-night
Think of it this way, there is always progress on the path, even if not realized until later. That progress will usually include issues that surface so that we can do the work to get through it. It takes consistent practice, patience, and perseverance. The closer we get to our goal, the narrower the path and the steeper the climb, but the practice gives us strength to carry it through. Then what seems difficult to one, may not seem difficult to someone who has diligently done the work.
What Rumi was expressing was a specific moment in time that all on this path will experience on their journey. We can choose to stay in that night, or do what is needed to transcend. This spiritual night is necessary as we must descend in order to ascend. The great Master of humanity has lived by example have shown us the way to overcome suffering and how to ascend from that dark night.
Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; 14 but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
- Matthew 7:13-14