Within Darkness There is Light

Posted on by Deb

Let’s talk about the idea of light versus dark. There are a great number of social, cultural and religious ideals that offer a stark juxtaposition between light and dark. The viewpoint is often that darkness offers a state to be wary of, or has a capacity to undermine, or to the extreme, gives embodiment to evil. Light on the other hand is quite often viewed as redeeming, uplifting, and in general is defined as good.These concepts have a grounded connection throughout our human history. 

Lyanda Lynn Haupt, writing in her book Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit brings into the mix a naturalist’s viewpoint of darkness versus light- with a decidedly heavier benefit falling to the dark side. 

I chose to share one of her personal stories on my blog, Closer to the Edge, this morning. Haupt  discovers there may be much more to gain when light is not the ideal goal, and darkness is allowed to shine, so to speak. That post actually serves as a lead into what follows below. I might suggest that, if you have not already, pop back over to read Unseen before venturing deeper into the words below…I’m happy to wait!

Photo by Joonas ku00e4u00e4riu00e4inen on Pexels.com

Now, I would ask you to take a moment or two. Think about all of the examples and illustrations that you have encountered that speak to the symbolism between light and dark…goodness and evil. No matter what your background is think about the songs, the poems and stories past and present, the belief systems you may follow, the varied cultural mythologies passed on through generations. 

Consider the very words you may use as you welcome a sunrise after a long winter’s night, or the comfort of knowing the porch light is turned on to guide you safely into your home after a long journey. Consider also the words that come to mind when a profound level of darkness is present. Perhaps fear. Maybe danger. What about loneliness?

One of my immediate and personal memories comes from childhood when a small night light was surreptitiously turned on for me to placate my 4 year old self who was terrified of the monsters living in the dark of my bedroom closet. That very act being one of the most recognizable ways that light (goodness) is supposed to triumph over darkness (evil). 

Haupt challenges readers to consider that rootedness speaks to an interconnectedness of every living thing on our planet. She uses a word, coined by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh- “interbeing” -to remind us of the interdependence between all living beings along with the mysteries still unfolding regarding our natural world.

If we believe that the interbeing of all things is true then it might seem to follow that instead of looking to vilify darkness it would be much more beneficial to embrace it for what it is- simply the other side of light. Rather than the diametrically opposed viewpoint put in place over our human history I see the existence of an interplay between light and dark, a reciprocity if you will, where both seek to offer not polar opposites but perhaps just what we all need at the right time.

I genuinely appreciate the way that Haupt weaves humans, other animals and plant life into her chapters on darkness. She notes that 90% of life happens in the dark, under the ground and deep beneath the seas where sunlight never reaches. As she speaks to darkness I find these 4 attributes to be powerful:

Darkness brings-

-Stillness and quiet to provide reflection and restoration through sleep and dreaming

-Starlight and the erasure of a horizon line allowing us to see in unlimited ways 

-Escape and refuge from exposure. Essential shelter… and here I would add a personal sense of safety that allows for contemplation and understanding

-Acuity, or a heightening of our senses which brings greater awareness of our world; which opens us to both learning and to simply being within a space

Referring back to Haupt’s personal story shared at Closer to the Edge, I will leave you with this thought—my way of interpreting her message centered on “fruitful darkness”.

The notion that light allows us to see, to provide the best or only way of understanding is perhaps false. The concept that light brings comfort and darkness signals hardship or pain is perhaps false as well. Consider that sometimes the greater potential, the deeper learning may come from seeking darkness rather than holding onto an illuminated view of the world. Sometimes walking through the darkness, on high alert, using all of our senses and opening ourselves to all experience provides a richer answer than we could ever find within the realm of seeing within the light.

In the words of Buddhist professor Stephanie Kaza-

“Walking in the dark night is a way to practice faith, a way to build confidence in the unknown…(a way) to practice courage in the vastness of what (we) can’t see.”

28 thoughts on “Within Darkness There is Light”

  2. Your take on darkness is much appreciated and necessary, Deb. I’d add some situations in which dark more than holds its own: basking in the moonlight or on a moonlight cruise, waking and sleeping when the planet calls us to do so instead of fighting with nature, making love in a darkened room, children whispering just before they fall asleep in nearby beds, appreciating the light because of its contrast to darkness, and a child in the backseat of a car driven by a loving and protective parent — knowing he is safe because of that irreplaceable person. And all the religious rituals that depend on one or more candles shining in the darkness. I’m sure others can add many more.

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  3. For about half the calendar year my three mile morning walk is mostly, or partially, in the dark. I’m aware of every step taken and every sound made. When the morning brings light, hyperfocus isn’t necessary. My gait changes and I zip past all the sights and sounds! Haupt’s account of her experience with darkness and her views on light/darkness were intriguing. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂

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    1. Thank you Nancy. Lyanda really, over time, allowed herself to become part of the setting rather than needing to feel it as separate or foreign in her story. I loved that and the reminder that there is so much that darkness gifts to us if we really trust and want to see what sits behind all the shiny, bright and comfortable aspects of life.

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  4. This is so beautifully profound, Deb, and I’m particularly struck by the idea of “starlight and the erasure of a horizon line allowing us to see in unlimited ways”. Perhaps, in darkness, the lack of visible worn paths allows (or forces) us to begin marching in a different direction and exploring new options. It’s lovely imagery and some great food for thought.

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    1. That concept spoke to me as well Erin- the idea that the path in the darkness never has to end, that it simply will go forward endlessly allowing us to look outward into the vastness of time and space to discover… whatever it is we need to discover without limitation and maybe without rules as well.

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  5. What an interesting concept. Being outside in the dark makes us more aware of sounds, feelings, and puts us in a more hyper state of awareness. Thank you for bringing up this subject on HotM and your personal blog.

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    1. Again, thanks for reading EA! Haupt talked a lot in the book about humans conditioning to light and their need and belief that it is essential in so many aspects of life, literally and metaphorically. She wove in how the constant light from cities across the world is impacting migration patterns in birds and having harmful impacts on other animals as well. She also spoke to tech and gadgets and the impact on humans… Lots of great stuff within one small chapter just reinforcing how everything in our world is connected and influences everything else.

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      1. Very fascinating stuff. I think one of the things I love about our new home is it’s next door to the largest urban preserve in the country. Next to that is a national forest. We don’t have city lights at all — and the stars are amazing.

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      2. You are indeed lucky, and chose well when you bought that home! It would be amazing to live without all the extraneous lights of city life…they never turn off and it’s a shame.

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  6. “If we believe that the interbeing of all things is true then it might seem to follow that instead of looking to vilify darkness it would be much more beneficial to embrace it for what it is- simply the other side of light.” – I’m in total agreement with you!

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    1. I think that’s just one reason why I have felt so drawn to Haupt and to this book. I feel that connection to her because she uses her own personal background and interests to question the status quo if you will. She wants to understand the hows and whys about our world from a broader, non-conforming perspective. She reminds me of an earlier time in my life and the fact that I stepped away from that sort of worldview for some time.

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    1. Thanks Brian. I think, like with many aspects of learning to live alongside every other organism on earth, we have to be willing to venture into places and concepts that may seem unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Those challenges have always helped me learn more than simply stopping in the places that we believe we see clearly and fully in the light.

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  9. It does seem calmer and quieter in the dark, like a comforting blanket thrown over the world.
    “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” -MLK
    Some of the most spectacular and special times on our eclipse trip were the nights when John and I saw the stars and the Milky Way with no light pollution.

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    1. From an ecological standpoint she writes a lot in that chapter about the impacts of artificial light on humans, animals and the ecosystems in general. It’s just another in the long list of ways in which humans are messing up the planet and consequently ourselves. Nothing can fully renew itself living in a 24/7 lighted world.

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