To most of us, darkness seems incredible prevalent on Earth right now. Corruption in government, cruelty to minorities, epidemics and pandemics, dictatorships, nuclear threats, police brutality, etc. etc. If this is a battle between darkness and light, then darkness seems to be winning. In an ideal world, why do we even need darkness?
Most of us are inclined to see darkness and light as absolutes, black and white, bad and good. However, in the physical world, they are both necessary, but meant to be in balance. When darkness and light are both acknowledged and transparent, they can then come into balance. Balance ensures that we see each clearly for what it is. The open presence of darkness helps us choose light.
Darkness is only a problem when it is hidden. When darkness is hidden it sees only itself. When darkness is hidden it can multiply, grow and pervert its environment. When darkness is hidden it can operate freely without hindrance.
Today, the world seems full of darkness: ISIS, home-grown terrorists, school shooters, corruption in government, coercion and manipulation in business, gender and sexual orientation bias, and inequality in economic distribution and racial and ethnic justice, to name a few.
At this time the human condition seems dire, with cruelty and injustice assaulting our senses from all directions. It is easy to lapse into depression and despair.
But what is being revealed to us at this time is not new. It has always been there despite romantic and/or idealistic memories of the “good old days”. The old days were “good” only because so much was hidden.
Darkness was hidden behind a consciousness that didn’t recognize it, that had not evolved to a point where it could discern many kinds of darkness. In the “good old days” it was OK to beat a wife or child, have sex with a woman against her will, slaughter noncombatants in war (collateral damage), torture people to try to get information, deceive people (lie) in order to make a sale or get elected. It was noble to kill in the name of a nation, religion or ethnic group, pick off assumed enemies with sniper fire, or force a hostile takeover only to bankrupt the company for personal gain.
Darkness was hidden because systems of communication were limited (no internet of cell phone cameras) and both reporters and the justice system had a code of silence when it came to important people or privileged groups using drugs, having affairs, inappropriate sexual relationships, or shady, illegal, or corrupt business and/or political dealings.
It was hidden because countries that oppressed women and massacred minorities seemed far away and out of sight. We did not know about female genital mutilation or child brides. We were only vaguely aware of mass genocides taking place in Africa and other third world countries.
It was hidden because people who were different changed their names, hid in closets, lived a lie and closely guarded their secrets. Rape was thought to be the fault of the woman and thus a thing of shame never to be spoken of by the victim herself.
Are there more rapes today than before? No, it’s just that society, and particularly young people, are finally seeing rape as a crime. Today women standing up for themselves and their right to own their own bodies. Politicians who talk about “legitimate rape” are ostracized and pilloried.
Is there more abuse of power than there used to be? In fact, there is probably less, because we are finally waking up to the fact that power is a weapon that can be used to inflict great harm on both individuals and society. We are currently rearranging our feelings about power; who should have it, and its appropriate and inappropriate use.
Are there more wars today than ever before? Despite the turmoil in the Middle East, the world is relatively peaceful compared to the past. The physical and mental wounding of veterans, along with the atrocities of terrorists groups flashing on our television or computer screens every day, are making war less and less an efficient, effective, civilized and/or compassionate means of solving global problems.
Today humanity is choosing to expose much of the darkness that has been hidden in the past. Once uncovered, darkness fights for its life, becoming even more dark in the process, but at the same time, showing its true colors. We will no longer allow it to deceive us.
In our personal lives as well, darkness is necessary and vital, (although often uncomfortable and extremely painful). Knowing what we don’t want usually precedes discovering what we do want. Suffering prods us to reach out and accept the help and support of others. Confronting the shadow parts of ourselves helps us become whole. And finally, the presence of death illuminates life and all its many facets. Darkness helps us plumb the depths of our emotions and feel deeply into our experiences. It gifts us with wisdom and compassion.
You can learn more about the energy realm in my book, “It’s All About Energy: Adventures in Expanded Reality”, found on Amazon, and on my website, www.transformationalexpansion.com.