The Balance between Darkness and Light

To Know the Dark-

To go into the dark with a light is to know the light

To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too , blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

-Wendell Berry

Oh, how we look towards the light! It is hopeful in many ways , this Winter Solstice. Oftentimes, however, we skip over the gifts of the darkness to place full attention and anticipation on the returning of the light. This tendency to fast forward to “warmer days, longer days “ in the future, robs us of the opportunity to BE HERE NOW. In yoga tradition and practice we learn about the power of this moment from the Yoga Sutras , written over 2,000 years ago by Patanjali. The very first word of the 196 Sutras is “Atha” which translates to “here” or “now” .

Atha yoga anushasanam- Now the teachings of yoga- Yoga Sutra 1:1. Now is when our life is happening. On the darkest and longest night and in the radiant light of the sun. We are both darkness and light and the more we can embrace both energies, the more balance and ease we can welcome into our bodies and minds and hearts.

Ekhart Tolle reminds us; “As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve and life begins to flow with joy and ease.”

If you are someone who does not prefer the colder , darker time of winter, this might feel like a bit of a challenge to sit in the present moment of the dawning of winter season. This time of year represents the yin qualities of slowness, reflection, and receptivity. Nature is our teacher. In truth, WE are an indelible part of nature, composed of the elements and we cannot escape our connection to her rhythms. Can we allow time in darkness to be intention filled and sacred rather than time spent in some waiting room that feels contracted and scary? Like some sort of purgatory, awaiting the coming of Spring and Summer?

Here are two ponderings to consider or to journal about:

I welcome the darkness, for within it lies the seeds of new beginnings

I release what no longer serves me, making space for growth and transformation.