Does the light really shine in the darkness?

[Cantando]

Throughout the drama of human history, we have the pervasive concepts of light and darkness, in spiritual, mental and physical contexts.

Which do you believe is the correct scenario, and why? And are there any other scenarios?

1. The default state is darkness. The light has to be ignited and kept alight using our will and intentions, otherwise the light will be overwhelmed and extinguised by the darkness.

2. The default state is the light. Darkness is an illusion which we create, which blocks out the light.

3. Light and darkness co-exist eternally in the now. They appear to be polarized but are in fact one.

4. Light and darkness are just useful concepts or analogies, translated by consciousness into the reality we experience (for example, light = knowing; darkness = not knowing).

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by Cantando

Throughout the drama of human history, we have the pervasive concepts of light and darkness, in spiritual, mental and physical contexts.

Which do you believe is the correct scenario, and why? And are there any other scenarios?

1. The default state is darkness. The light has to be ignited and kept alight using our will and intentions, otherwise the light will be overwhelmed and extinguised by the darkness.

2. The default state is the light. Darkness is an illusion which we create, which blocks out the light.

3. Light and darkness co-exist eternally in the now. They appear to be polarized but are in fact one.

4. Light and darkness are just useful concepts or analogies, translated by consciousness into the reality we experience (for example, light = knowing; darkness = not knowing).

5. All of the above, depending on your frame of reference.

From the absolute, darkness is the reflection or symbol of the thought form of "non-existence" which is an imagined or chosen opposite to "existence" or "infinity". This allows the illusion of energy movement, or "growth" as we would more likely be able to understand. Growth is a consciousness phenomenon that is a natural result of contrast. Relativity in other words.

But given the proper vantage point, any of the options listed above are true. Consciousness doesn't just determine the course of events that ARE happening or WILL happen, it also determines the path it DID take. All extend outwards from the eternally expansive PRESENT.

[Foresta Gump]

Hello posters

Here is a quote I borrowed from the absolute.net a genius forum I was a member of since 2005 or earlier.

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

As you already know the light is within us all, sometimes it's dim and needs the dark to be turned off to shine to it's potential. It is turned on fully when the darkness has disappated. When the light goes out you die, and the light returns to it's prime energy source--God.

Some people never acknowledge their light, but it is there nevertheless waiting to be turned on from the dim setting it's on.

Foresta Gump
Published Writer

[Elrond]

2.#

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Foresta Gump

Hello posters

Here is a quote I got from the absolute.net a genius forum I was a member at since 2005 or earlier.

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

As you already know the light is within us all, sometimes it's dim and needs the dark to be turned off to shine to it's potential. It is turned on fully when the darkness has disappated. When the light goes out you die, and the light returns to it's prime energy source--God.

Some people never acknowledge their light, but it is there nevertheless waiting to be turned on from the dim setting it's on.

Foresta Gump
Published Writer

In reality, your quote can be turned around i.e "No small light can extinguish the darkness." The light is surrounded by darkness. Logically, if there is only light then there is nothing to compare and it would cease to exist. Without some darkness, the light cannot be seen.

[Foresta Gump]

"no small light can extinguish the darkness" but it is light nonetheless!

But looking at it from your angle it also says the darkness is more abundant than the light. That just means there is very little energy in the darkness.

The light is so minute amongst the darkness, yet no matter how mere it is, it is still light energy, there is no energy in darkness.

Darkness is without light, so also it is without energy.

Foresta Gump

[ginkgo]

When it is cloudy out, does the sun vanish or is it just hidden? Clouds come and go but the sun is always there for another 5 billion years, even when it is dark out. You are the light. Your soul or essence is always in a state of perfect peace, limitless happiness and endless love.

But there is a lot of stuff that it is buried under. But that stuff comes and goes and you die. But that soul never dies, not even in 5 billion years when the sun burns out. Becoming your soul or true self is what enlightenment is.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Foresta Gump

"no small light can extinguish the darkness" but it is light nonetheless!

But looking at it from your angle it also says the darkness is more abundant than the light. That just means there is very little energy in the darkness.

The light is so minute amongst the darkness, yet no matter how mere it is, it is still light energy, there is no energy in darkness.

Darkness is without light, so also it is without energy.

Foresta Gump

I think from any angle, darkness is more abundant that a little candle light. Why do you use light and dark as metaphors for energy? Would it not be more realistic to use 'energy' and isn't there dark energy anyway?

[Foresta Gump]

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

"No small light can extinguish the darkness"

These two quotes are entirely the opposite, the top one is saying no amount of darkness can dim the small light, and your quote is saying there is not enough light to erradicate the darkness, or not enough light to turn the darkness off of it's darkened state.

From what I understand there is no energy in darkness. Anagogy says some interesting stuff on this subject.

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

In other words no one can dispute an indisputable thought. There is light, thats the fact--it's indisputable.

"No small light can extinguish the darkness"

In other words you're saying that darkness reigns, that the light has no influence over the darkness, that the small light has been defeated by darkness. Or, that there is not enough light to overtake the darkness.

But, still it is light nonetheless, and light is positive and good, like humans are intended to be, but still darkness is there, but without darkness, we would all be positive energies.

There is no sun in the darkness, therefore there is no energy in darkness.

[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

Becoming your soul or true self is what enlightenment is.

Thank you for the link. I really like the way this guy connected the idea of Flow with being in the Now. When I read that, I got that feeling like I had just put two puzzle pieces together.

You made me pick up the book Flow off the shelf, which I got at a library book sale about a month ago.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Foresta Gump

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

"No small light can extinguish the darkness"

These two quotes are entirely the opposite, the top one is saying no amount of darkness can dim the small light, and your quote is saying there is not enough light to erradicate the darkness, or not enough light to turn the darkness off of it's darkened state.

From what I understand there is no energy in darkness. Anagogy says some interesting stuff on this subject.

"No amount of darkness can extinguish the light of one small candle"

In other words no one can dispute an indisputable thought. There is light, thats the fact--it's indisputable.

"No small light can extinguish the darkness"

In other words you're saying that darkness reigns, that the light has no influence over the darkness, that the small light has been defeated by darkness. Or, that there is not enough light to overtake the darkness.

But, still it is light nonetheless, and light is positive and good, like humans are intended to be, but still darkness is there, but without darkness, we would all be positive energies.

There is no sun in the darkness, therefore there is no energy in darkness.

If the light is positive energy then darkness must be negative energy.
I suppose I am saying that negative energy is as real and powerful as positive energy.

[dali]

yes, we can take all this light and darkness stuff too far and many do for the sake of argument. Take someone who suffers eg from a bipolar disorder. Their psychological state can get way too bright which suggests that too much light can be destructive. Perhaps they compliment one another. Light shines only in darkness. I like the image of a lighthouse when thinking about light and its impact on us or the old fashioned image of the usherettes torch at the cinema. In real terms a smile from a stranger, a helping hand, any act that lifts the gloom is a powerful medium of light. It has a reaction within us which changes things forever so yes for me anyway I value both darkness and light. Darkness helps me take rest and get to sleep , light helps me wake up and feel alive. All life needs its share of both. Darkness gets a very bad press when really it is absolutely essential to life. As with light there are shades of darkness. Things can get too dark just as things can get too bright but to get stuck in the language of analogy does both a disservice. Used wisely though analogy is obviously very helpful indeed but its only a tool for communication. I dont think its meant to be taken literally.Can you imagine life without a sunset ?