Questions about being a darkworker

[Baltar]

I just read the polarization blog entries, and they really resonate with me. I'm starting to understand why my life has been such a mess. I also can see that it's a tough choice to make between the "light side" and the "dark side". Both certainly have their advantages. If we have to choose one side and put all of our energy into it (which makes sense to me), then this certainly has major repercussions down the line. I mean, it's really not something you can easily reverse after a certain point (like a speeding train). One thing I'm a bit stumped about though is darkworker contribution.

As I understand it, lightworkers focus primarily on the contribution they're making and let the universe take care of compensating them for it (this is something I have a hard time accepting, or maybe a hard time "trusting" the universe to do the "right thing" which is why I'm leaning toward being a darkworker). Darkworkers on the other hand focus primarily on figuring out ways of getting what they want. As a side effect of this, they end up creating value for others. Creating this value (for the sake of creating value) isn't their primary goal (as it is for lightworkers), but this is the only way they can get something valuable in return.

For instance a business owner who's a lightworker would create a product that's really good because they primarily want to make a valuable contribution, but a business owner who's darkworker would create a very good product because it's what's necessary to be competitive with other businesses and is the only way they can be successful.

This is my understanding of the light/dark sides. Personally I think I'd be best suited to be a darkworker, but there's one thing I'm a bit confused about. The thing is that I want to make a contribution, but I know that being a darkworker I can't focus on this in itself (the conflict between this and my personal gain has created a huge mess of my life). However, I have a feeling that my ultimate reason for making the contribution is to get recognition. Is this considered normal darkworker reasoning?

I think I've been feeling guilty about wanting to make a contribution mainly to get recognition for it.. But if I can have the best of both worlds (getting recognition and making a contribution) then I'll be very happy being a darkworker. So is this kind of thinking consistent with being a darkworker? Or is this an indication of an internal conflict that would sabotage my polarity choice? Also, given my understanding of how a darkworker thinks, wouldn't a darkworker be just as likely as a lightworker to do volunteer work? Just not for the same reason of course.

[Antiventurecapital]

I am troubled by the choice of "darkworker" as a label. The term implies that there is something dark and sinister about these types of people. I mean who wouldn't want to be a lightworker given a choice between the two?

Couldn't Steve have come up with a better term?

[Baltar]

I think it's kind of fun to be on the "dark side". But the way you name it doesn't really matter. How about "quasar" and "black hole"? Still makes the latter sound negative though, I guess. The point is that both of them are very powerful when they reach their full potential -- one spits energy out, the other draws it in and swallows up anything that stands in its path.

Even quasars and black holes work together though. Wikipedia says that "quasars are believed to be powered by accretion of material into supermassive black holes in the nuclei of distant galaxies..." Which from my understanding means that the black hole is ultimately what makes a quasar possible. So I wouldn't get hung up on the choice of words. Just pick what feels natural to you. I like the idea of being powerful, unstoppable, and achieving a lot.

[Antiventurecapital]

I'd prefer something like "Magnet-people" in place of "darkworker."

I mean, what the hell is dark about it?

[Baltar]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

I'd prefer something like "Magnet-people" in place of "darkworker."

I mean, what the hell is dark about it?

The words "light" and "dark" are probably not the best labels, but they're simple, convenient, and are opposites. I'm guessing that's why Steve chose them. Here's what Steve says in his blog:

While words like light/dark and love/fear obviously have major social conditioning attached to them, it’s best to view each polarity as equally valid and acceptable. Judging these polarities as good or evil is out of line with their actual practice. I assert that the good polarity is the one that’s best for you, and the evil polarity is pretending to be something you’re not. Don’t resist who you really are.

If you’re feeling that being a darkworker would be wrong or evil, consider that a darkworker can end up making a much bigger social contribution than a non-polarized person, even though contribution isn’t his/her primary concern. So don’t beat yourself up if you feel drawn to this polarity.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Baltar

The words "light" and "dark" are probably not the best labels, but they're simple, convenient, and are opposites. I'm guessing that's why Steve chose them. Here's what Steve says in his blog:

Okay, let me get this straight.

Lightworkers are all light and love driven.

Darkworkers are all dark and fear driven.

But they are both equally good?

[Yynatago]

Originally Posted by Baltar

I think I've been feeling guilty about wanting to make a contribution mainly to get recognition for it... So is this kind of thinking consistent with being a darkworker?

Definately! As Al Pacino (who played the devil) said in 'The Devils Advocate': "Vanity . . . is definitely my favourite sin"

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Couldn't Steve have come up with a better term?

Probably. I've noticed that Steve tends to use alot of negative terms when talking about Darkworkers like "Fear" and "Greed". I reckon this is because he is a lightworker and probably wants to encourage others to be like him, in his own subtly selfish ways

If he was a dark worker, he'd probably describe dark workers in a more positive light such as "determined to get what they want" and describe lightworkers as people who are wishful thinkers who neglect themselves.

[danas]

Originally Posted by Yynatago

Probably. I've noticed that Steve tends to use alot of negative terms when talking about Darkworkers like "Fear" and "Greed". I reckon this is because he is a lightworker and probably wants to encourage others to be like him, in his own subtly selfish ways

If he was a dark worker, he'd probably describe dark workers in a more positive light such as "determined to get what they want" and describe lightworkers as people who are wishful thinkers who neglect themselves.

Im a lightworker and am VERY determined to get what I want ( and so is Steve Im sure) but my drive is that I have responsibility to fulfill my potential, all the talents and opportunities Ive been given. I know that Im meant to be this amazing successful person, and that its up to me to make it happen! thats what makes me determined. I see myself as part of a bigger plan. I have to take responsibility and use all my potential for the highest good for whoever I can, including myself.

[Steve Pavlina]

To a darkworker fear and greed are not negative terms. In fact, they're rather positive. For an example of this type of attitude, watch Gordon Gecko's "Greed is good" speech from the movie Wall Street.

[John Wesley]

Gordon Gecko is the quintessential darkworker, or actually, anyone on Wallstreet probably is for that matter.

I'm not so sure about the need for polarization. In the original essay Steve said that polarized darkworkers actually do more for society than people in the middle. While they probably have a bigger impact, I'm not sure if I see the promotion of greed as a virtue is helping anyone.

I think that the most influential people have large elements of both light and dark, but only choose to represent one to the public. Gandhi was a great spiritual figure, but I'll bet behind closed doors he loved the fame and adulation as much as the good he did.

[Jerigan]

"I'm not sure if I see the promotion of greed as a virtue is helping anyone."

People promote greed by choice. Like promoting beer or something. I for one will never do that. What is the point? It's not like I belong to some religion that constantly needs new converts.

I've been helping people with all kinds of things, pretty much on demand as long as it gives some sort of benefit. Because of this, I'm pretty sure most people would label me as a lightworker. Makes no difference to me, I'm happy.

[Baltar]

Originally Posted by John Wesley

I'm not so sure about the need for polarization. In the original essay Steve said that polarized darkworkers actually do more for society than people in the middle. While they probably have a bigger impact, I'm not sure if I see the promotion of greed as a virtue is helping anyone.

Many people who're in positions of power are darkworkers. For instance, John F. Kennedy was a darkworker, yet he certainly did a lot of for the country. Even Richard Nixon who was a very extreme darkworker did a whole bunch of good things as president. People just choose to focus on his misdeeds.

Originally Posted by John Wesley

I think that the most influential people have large elements of both light and dark, but only choose to represent one to the public. Gandhi was a great spiritual figure, but I'll bet behind closed doors he loved the fame and adulation as much as the good he did.

I really doubt that Gandhi cared one bit about publicity and fame (as far as feeding his ego). If he did he wouldn't have been a lightworker.

[Asmoday]

Fear and greed are merely *tools* that are used on the dark path. Just like lightworkers use compassion and...whatever heck else they use, to obtain results.

Fear is the raw energy that we transmute into anger, hate, jealousy, vanity, pride, humiliation, etc, etc, etc.

The difference between the two paths lies in duality vs. non-duality.

But, for simplicity, the dividing line is self-love motivated versus other-love motivated.

Those are paradigm shifts, not tools.