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May Your Dark Invite Light and Your Light Sit with the Dark
Dark and Light as Twins Navigating Life Together
Thích Nhát Hạnh wrote in No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering,
“According to the creation story in the biblical book of Genesis, God said, “Let there be light.” I like to imagine that light replied, saying, “God, I have to wait for my twin brother, darkness, to be with me. I can’t be there without the darkness.” God asked, “Why do you need to wait? Darkness is there.” Light answered, “In that case, then I am also already there.”
When we become aware of both sides, we understand that one cannot be without the other. This is about awareness. Everyone talks about the light as if Light were created without dark. The darkness is there. With sunlight, we have the dark skies at night. With darkness, there is always the morning sun.
The other day in therapy, I said, “I’ve been angry all my life.” My therapist nodded.
If you met me, you wouldn’t know I’m an angry person. I don’t present my anger on a silver platter. But it has shown up. It shows up as fatigue, eczema (liver issues), stomach aches, migraines, adrenal gland collapse, and perfectionism.
