strength
LIGHT AND DARKNESS
When we are touched by the presence of sacred wonder, we do not suddenly run away from the darkness and pretend that it does not exist. Nor do we try to explain away the darkness or become lost in angst over questioning how such darkness can possibly exist. Rather, seeing the greater divine light even a little, we start to see how our delusions only cause ourselves and others such suffering. This growing realization can then begin to slowly open our hearts to compassion and love, both for ourselves and for all other beings who toil in the darkness, caught in cycles of pain, fear, and ignorance. From this love also comes a growing commitment to fight the delusions and the darkness and to serve the light however we can. Indeed, each one of us can fight the darkness in our own ways and in our own time.
First, we can begin to fight our own delusions and grow spiritually as best we can. We can work toward our own awakening and strive to gain our own growing clarity of vision that allows us to see more and more the delusions for what they are and to see, beyond the delusions, the boundless preciousness of all life, including our own. We cannot truly begin to help others and the world until we begin to clear the clouds from our own eyes. And to do this, we need to start cultivating an open heart of loving-kindness for all life. The true end of suffering comes with the dawning of a deep wisdom that sees the transient, impermanent veneer, but also sees the very present and real luminous spiritual reality that flows through all of us. This requires a commitment to fight first our own intolerance, cruelty, arrogance, anger, and hatred. Change must start in our own hearts and minds and must start with exercising kindness towards ourselves and to those around us in our daily lives.
Second, we can work to not add to the darkness in our own corner of the world and work instead to shed whatever light we can, even if it is only in the small interactions with others in our daily lives. Our everyday interactions, no matter how humble, can call forth the divine light into our own lives and those around us, when we act with a kind and loving intention. It is certainly wonderful when good people affect positive change on a community wide or larger basis in society. Such efforts need to be supported and commended. But not all of us are always in a position to affect larger societal change. This does not stop us,however, from working quietly in our small corner of the world, bringing light to our own lives and bringing some light to those around us. Such efforts are not to be put down, but have infinite significance. Even a few lights in a darkened city shed beauty and wonder.
Indeed, the light of love, no matter how small, makes a difference, and the world will be healed only when all of the small corners are filled with light and love. And that will happen only when each of us makes that effort where we stand in the moment in our daily lives.
⚡️
Steven Jay
m.facebook.com at simpleinnertruths
on the edge of flying.
the verge of breaking through
standing in the pouring rain
hoping to find you,
somewhere in the darkness
of this dark and stormy night,
questions with no answers
colliding with the light.
bloody battles all around,
I’m caught within my pain.
holding on to faith in something
in the middle of this fight.
at the end of living
not knowing what to do,
tears, they match the weather
flooding from my soul.
I shake my head for clearing,
prepare my heart to fight,
struggle to my aching feet
step into the ring of light.
death lies all around me,
as I pray this simple prayer,
release me for a moment,
there’s work for me to do.
⚡️
AL
For the dulness that encloses me I pray
your grace burn off the morning fog.
That the dream of doubt I wear like clothes
I pray may in your light dissolve, and fall away.
For healing of the wound that is a world that is a wall
between me and your delight, and mine, I pray.
From the coma of my fears awaken me
with your warming, seeing sun.
For my eyes, sleep-sealed and glazed, I pray
to see the nub and fullness of what is.
From the soft bed of my grave
raise me into this day amazed and new.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
life: acoustic & amplified 