Sometimes, it feels like the world is closing in on us. When Robert Bly speaks about the deep darkness around us, he isn't just talking about the absence of light, but that heavy, overwhelming feeling that life has become too much to carry. It is that sense of being lost in a forest at night where you can no longer see the path beneath your feet. This darkness can feel suffocating, making us feel isolated and small against the vastness of our struggles.
In our everyday lives, this darkness often shows up in the quiet moments. It is the heavy silence in a house after a loss, or the overwhelming anxiety that hits when we face a mountain of responsibilities we didn't ask for. We often try to run away from this feeling, lighting every candle we can find just to pretend the shadows aren't there. But there is a profound truth in realizing that the darkness is a natural part of the landscape of being human. It is not an enemy to be defeated, but a space that demands our presence.
I remember a time when I felt completely swallowed by my own shadows. Everything felt muted, and even the simplest tasks felt like wading through thick mud. I spent so much energy trying to force myself back into the light, feeling like a failure because I couldn't just 'be happy.' It wasn't until I stopped fighting the darkness and sat with it, acknowledging its depth, that I began to find my footing again. I realized that even in the deepest night, my heart was still beating, and that was enough of a lantern to start walking.
When we stop viewing the darkness as a threat, we can begin to see it as a place of profound stillness and reflection. It is in these deep, quiet spaces that our true strength is forged and our most honest reflections are born. You don't have to find the exit immediately. You only need to find enough breath to exist within the moment.
As you navigate your own heavy moments, I want to gently remind you to be kind to yourself. If the darkness feels deep today, don't feel pressured to find the sun right away. Just try to sit quietly with your feelings and see if you can find one small, steady breath to hold onto.