“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?
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4woody
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Hi 4woody thanks for sharing this quote. It's a very interesting question.. what are we learning about ourselves and each other? I am learning how to be less anxious while working from home and also how to share space with my partner as we're both working in a tiny flat all day. It's definitely an interesting time and a good time for a lot of self reflection. I hope to learn more about myself over these coming weeks. I hope you are getting on okay and glad you're sharing in this community!
thanks. It’s good to be here. Learning seem to be the best thing to do when there is so little to do sometimes.
Hi 4woody. What an interesting post, but very challenging for me as I've not really ever considered endarkenment and never have I spoken in hushed tones of my own quest for enlightenment. So it's all a bit of a puzzle for me. I'm probably incapable intellectually of taking this on board in the way you mean it to be received.
Here's my only take on 'darkness' as provided by Leonard Cohen.
I couldn’t play the video. I have never considered endarkenment before either. Welcome the group of learning new things. 🙂. This will never be a subject that someone is capable or incapable of addressing. It is personal. It is simply becoming aware of darkness and being willing to spend time with it in order to learn what it has to teach every individual. A typical human response to darkness is to find light as quickly as possibly. This author is suggesting staying with it intentionally. Being willing to entertain the idea that endarkenment is just as valuable as enlightenment. Happy trails... in the darkness.
Sorry you couldn't play the video 4woody. I didn't want to reproduce the lyrics here for copyright reasons. But if you wanted to listen to the song you can find it on YouTube as You Want it Darker, by Leonard Cohen. It's interesting and quite relevant to not only your pos but the time we are living through. I've always so admired Cohen's work. Thanks for your input and explanation. I was feeling very inadequate! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day.
Hi again 4woody, I'm still not much the wiser about the term endarkenment but on investigating Barbara Brown Taylor, I found the most excellent 'Finding Faith in the Faiths of Others' on YouTube. Such an inspiration! So many thanks for pointing me in her direction.
Hi 4woody, Just had my first YouTube encounter with Brené Brown, on 'The Power of Vulnerability'. I found her very engaging and interesting to listen to, and she really brought some interesting fare to the table of human thought. I shall try some more and thanks for flagging her up to me.
Very cool! So for us to search for endarkenment would be like the dwarves learning to search for enlightenment. This author would like us to consider that both are paths of truth.
This is extremely interesting 4woody..thank u for posting 🤗
I'll share my thoughts..I trained a psychiatric nurse in my youth n we were taught all about Freud with hardly any mention of Carl Jung..it was only later on in my life I came across him when I was studying metaphysics!!
As individuals we all have a light n dark side..as u have said we often focus on our light side coz the dark is a scary place to be..therefore many of us tend to shy away from feelings of jealousy or revenge etc when we have been hurt!! But I will say that in my practise I've learnt that when u embrace the darker side of yourself it's not that scary at all in fact it's as powerful as the light..just opposite ends of the spectrum..it can be shocking to discover the dark side but is also incredibly empowering!!
At last, an enlightening explanation of endarkenment! Horrible clumsy word though! I completely agree that more of us should investigate our dark side. We all have one, but most of us don't care to acknowledge that, or explore it.
I agree Callendersgal..I haven't heard the term before..but I know what woody means..for instance if a person is feeling anger n tries to stifle it it very often can lead to agression later on..in turn may lead to guilt etc...it's a downward spiral if not acknowledged..the best way to deal with anger is to acknowledge it..embrace it if u like..n then use the energy positively..for example walking..or hammering..or roaring at a candle..stamping on the earth!!
Ignore the dark n they r scary enemies..embrace the dark n they become friends..then one becomes whole!! 🕉️🙏🌈Xx
Thanks for sharing Kat. That seems to be precisely what this author wants people to consider. It is an intimidating journey to begin, yet it has always been fruitful for me.
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I'm new to this community.
Coping with the current climate 
Lockdown schooling /fed up