I have been reminded recently of this ancient Mayan quote; reminded of the cyclic nature of life and experience. I have heard this quote many times. I’ve used it many times. But I have a newfound understanding and respect for it.
You see, in order to understand something, you have to also be able to experience its opposite. You cannot define up without down. Left without right. Black without White. Or Dark without Light. It is the dualistic nature of our experience. And it is somewhere in the middle of all of these extremes that you find peace and balance. Whenever there is one extreme, there is always it’s opposite to balance it.
This quote is often portrayed as evil being brought down by good. And that is partially true. The universe has a funny way of making sure that the truth shines through no matter what.
But, what is truth, really? What is true for me may not be true for you. My perception of my experience shapes my truth, as it is with everyone. And some become so involved in their perception, sometimes their delusion, that they begin to believe their own truth, even if it is not based in fact.
Two people can observe something, and come out of the experience with completely different perspectives on what happened. So who decides what is true and what isn’t? And more importantly, does it matter?
Sometimes, you just have to let go of the truth. I have reached a new understanding of letting go. It’s not about sighing a hefty sigh and saying, “Oh well.” It’s not about biting your tongue, and then choosing to ignore something.
I’ve had to let a lot of things go in my life. Some by choice, others by circumstance. I’ve had to forgive and forget just like everybody else. I’ve even had to let go of my old patterns and ways of thinking, my skewed perspectives. I do this regularly.
But I realized recently, letting go is much more than dismissing or forgetting, or even accepting and acknowledging something. Letting go is seeing what is before you as it truly is, without judgment. Without my human perception or anyone else’s on it. It is recognizing that both extremes are present, and they will always balance themselves out. There is nothing you have to do. Just observe.
Allow it to unfold in front of you, with openness and without expectation. Do not invest in discussions of who or what is right or wrong. Who has the authority to determine that anyway? It’s all based on human perception, seen through tainted glasses.
See the truth for yourself in your own eyes. It is always shining if you are willing to see it. And let your own truth shine through you. Lead by example, whether anyone follows or not. So long as you can look yourself in the eye, rest your head with no worries, and know in your heart your own truth, there is nothing else to do.
You cannot force anyone else to believe you just because you say something is true. You cannot force anyone to perceive anything other than the way they choose to. It doesn’t matter sometimes what the facts are, it is the perception of people that decides what the truth is. At least in their own minds. So worrying about what other people think, about how they view you, about whether they understand your experience is pointless.
Do you believe in you? Do you act from your purpose, whatever that may be? Are your words, your actions, and your experience a reflection of you as a whole? Do they represent the path and purpose you have set out for yourself? If not, why? What has caught your attention, distracted you from your purpose? Have you allowed an outside experience to influence you? Have you lost your focus? Have you fallen off of your path?
Out of Darkness, Comes light is not limited to good vs. evil. It is not limited to religious use or quotations. There is a very deep universal truth to this quote. Out of every bad experience in life, whether it be with Lyme disease, with personal relationships, with social status, with random events…..every “bad” experience provides an opportunity for personal growth.
Sure, we can sit there and complain and feel sorry for ourselves. We can even lash out at those that shine before us and make us see our own painful flaws. It is usually what we see in others that is a true reflection of what we like or don’t like about ourselves. That’s the point, we can choose.
The less traveled road, the more frightening road, is to allow these experiences to teach us more about ourselves. They open doors we didn’t even know were there and allow us to look deep within. It is an opportunity to take the next step, to shift something in our perspective and experience. To take a chance, put ourselves out there, and see what happens. People are often too afraid to make these shifts. Too afraid of what other people will think. Or maybe it has more to do with being afraid of what you might see when you do look in. That is always the defining moment.
So let me ask you, suppose you did look in and you didn’t like what you saw? Would that not be a blessing? Would that not be an opportunity to learn and grow? Would that not be an opportunity to shift your experience, turn onto a new path, a brighter path (or darker if you want)? And how much influence do you give to others in regards to your own internal walk and dialogue. How much of what you see within is not really you?
At the end of the day, I suppose the important question is, “If you were to die today, would any of this matter? And would you have any regrets? Any unfinished business?”
Out of Darkness, Comes Light. And then back to darkness we go. It is the cycle of life, the cycle of experience. It requires no judgment. It requires no fixing. It is simply an opportunity, to look within. Say hello to yourself. And have a conversation.
As for the truth? Well, that is up to you to decide.
Enough rambling….
As the Winde blows….I will come again!