Who is The Beginner from Dark Night of the Soul and what is their importance?

The beginner is a new Christian who has not yet traveled through the dark night of the soul. It is these beginners that St. John hopes to bring, through his teaching, to a closer, more perfect union with God. The beginners are apt to fall prey to flaws caused by the seven deadly sins. It is only after the beginner has passed through the dark night of the soul that they can over come these temptations and enter the level of the proficient Christian.