The Light and the Darkness
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11:23PM ;)
There is no darkness without light, nor can light exist without darkness. Such is the realm of duality, wherein we dwell. There is often great beauty born of this interplay between opposites. If light and dark are in conflict, it is only within our minds. In nature they, are in collaboration.
To choose only to see the darkness of our lives is to go mad; to choose only to see the light is to go blind. We are part of a universe of dualities, of opposites. We are flesh, and we are spirit. The path towards enlightenment challenges us to understand duality and not hold one thing as better than another, necessarily, but rather to hold the opposites as one. Our human consciousness and our physical survival is built upon recognizing, sorting, and acting upon the endless variations of duality. This is our physical nature.
In the wild, predator and prey are inextricably linked, each being no better or worse, not more admirable or despicable than the other. They are one organism. If we can see two opposites as a whole, as one, then it points the way to enlightenment. When we see the world around us in this manner, we find a way to step outside of the realm of duality if only for a moment, and touch our divine nature and the great mystery of which we are a part.
Reader Comments (4)
Michael,
This really sums it up so well in a nutshell. To live a "binary reality" is to run from one pole to the other, always striving for the "other". Integration of opposites, YES! (and no) :)
Oh Michael, I wish I was able only for moments to see things like this. Life would be a lot easier! Namaste
Thanks for the comments and feedback, some sent by email, others posted on this website. I am somehow always surprised that what I write actually contributes to people in some manner. That is my intent, but still, secretly I think only a few people actually read through this website and wonder what the heck I am talking about. My own insecurities I suppose. Anyway, thank you one and all. Blessings.
Eva,
This is one of the most challenging aspects of life. It is necessarily hard to do because it is the evolution of our spirit, individually and collectively, that we attempt. There is always more to know and to aspire to. Our practice is to keep engaging the challenge, and being at peace with the process, unattached to the "finish line". Judgement about success in this practice really has no place. Self-reflection, yes, judgement, well, I don't think so.