endarkenment

[4woody]

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light,” Carl Jung wrote, “but by making the darkness conscious.” [2] Reading this, I realize that in a whole lifetime spent with seekers of enlightenment, I have never once heard anyone speak in hushed tones about the value of endarkenment.

What a compelling word and question Brown Taylor invites us to consider: endarkenment. What are we learning about ourselves, each other, and even God through these times? What are we only now coming “to know” through this time of not-knowing?

[blackcat64013]

I know what endarkenment is. It is when the great world as you know it seems to have become such a dark place when you have fallen into the pits of depression from which see no way out. With help and hard work you can eventually climb the ladder and come back into the enlightened place. I just wish I didn't have to go there to be mentally healthy and wiser for the experience. Actually this might be a new name to describe the black dog (Winston Churchill ) 🌚

[4woody in reply to blackcat64013]

Would you be willing to share what your endarkment has taught you?

[blackcat64013 in reply to 4woody]

I am willing and mostly able to share the darkness. The knowledge to know when I shouldn't go into that shitty place again without stirring up emotions and learning a lot about mental health, I consider as enlightenment. Having said this, one cannot measure your suffering against that of another. Suffering is so unique. We must be thankful for the help offered though not always gracefully received when you find yourself feeling so bad. The best thing about this forum is that you can have enlightenment from the experts who have been there and back, together with imput from professional helpers in a safe place. It's 2.00am in Australia so signing off for now.

[4woody in reply to blackcat64013]

Thanks for sharing. Hope you have slept well since your last post. This journey in, through and back out of darkness is very personal as you say. This author seem to be saying to me that the darkness is not the shitty place. It is my response to the darkness that is the shitty place. Can I be in darkness and have it be as helpful even beautiful as the place of enlightenment? Can I respond in a helpful way to darkness that gives me endarkenment? As I respond to the light to gain enlightenment.