The darkness around us is deep. –William Stafford
Nine years ago, my friend George sent me this photo. Periodically I open the file and sit with this photo. I have been sitting with it for a few days savoring what emerged into my consciousness. I have decided to share with you, gentle reader, some of what has emerged for me. I also invite you to sit with the photo and savor what emerges for you.
There is much darkness in the world today; it surrounds us. Yet, all is not darkness, there is light. Is the light that appears so far off fading or emerging? In order to reach the light it appears as if I have to immerse myself into even more darkness; I must step into the darkness and travel in the darkness before I reach the light.
This journey will require me to have courage. The Japanese Kanji symbol for courage is:
It is pronounced Yuuki. Two symbols represent ‘courage.’ The top symbol – yuu – represents ‘courage’ and the bottom symbol – ki – It represents ‘heart or spirit.’ Thus courage is nurtured by ‘heart and spirit.’ Thus, if I am going to journey into the darkness I must not only have courage, but I must also have the heart and spirit necessary for such a journey.
Since I do not know if the light is fading or emerging the journey also requires that I take a risk; the risk of journeying into the darkness without the guarantee that the light will be on the other side. This risk requires faith. Or to put it another way, if there is a guarantee that the light will be there then the risk is not as great.
I have choice. I can stay where I am and pray (or ‘hope’ or ‘trust’) that the light is actually emerging and not fading or I can choose to enter into the darkness, risk becoming lost in the darkness, and journey towards the light.
Both are risks. I cannot avoid the risk but I can choose which risk to embrace and live into. Both risks require me to embrace my anxiety – or is it ‘fear’ – and engage the courage standing behind it, waiting to be called forth.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. –Martin Luther King, Jr.
