Darkness: A Path to Growth and Wisdom
In life's most challenging moments, when faced with the stark reality of a life-altering diagnosis, we stand at the edge of the known, confronted by the abyss of the unknown. It's a place few willingly enter, for it is unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and filled with the emotions we've been conditioned to avoid. Yet, in this darkness, there lies a profound opportunity for growth and wisdom.
To accompany someone through this liminal space takes courage, knowledge, and a deep trust in something greater than ourselves. We cannot medicate away these difficult feelings or ignore them with empty words. We must be willing to journey through the depths of despair, to sit with the darkness as both witness and companion.
This darkness is not inherently negative; it holds a beauty and a depth that can transform us if we allow it. Grief, fear, and despair are not enemies to be fought, but teachers to guide us towards healing. They demand our attention, asking us to listen closely for the lessons they offer.
To navigate this realm is an art, whether we're guiding others or tending to our own souls. It starts with trust, trust that through this journey, healing will emerge. We must learn to befriend the darkness, to surrender to its transformative power, knowing that all spiritual traditions speak to this universal truth.
So, let us not shy away from the darkness but embrace it as a path to growth and wisdom. Let us be willing companions in the liminal, listening intently to what it seeks to teach us. For it is through this journey that we discover the true essence of healing and the depth of our own resilience.
(adopted from: LaVera Crawley, The Art of Spiritual Companionship)