The Dark Decades of the Human Soul
People call it
“the dark night of the human soul.”
People are dramatic.
Not that there’s
anything wrong with drama.
Drama is why we’re here.
So when we lose our drama,
such as during the so-called
“dark night of the human soul,”
things can get pretty scary.
And another thing.
It’s waaaaaaay longer than a night.
My dark night is officially dark years,
dark decades, perhaps.
Had I been expecting this to be quick,
this would totally suck.
I would probably get all dramatic about it.
Fearful even.
I might tell my self that
my dark night is going horribly wrong.
And I’d be right.
The dark decades are all about
horrible wrongs and horrible rights.
So far, they seem to be
about stepping away
from the highs and lows
of human existence.
Looking at them
from a different perspective.
With space around it.
Drama seems not to like detachment.
We get to look at that.
We get to contemplate
the possibility of never
getting through the dark decades.
Being stuck
in the middle of a vast ocean
with never any shore in sight.
All we can see
are the flames rising from the past
and the fog shrouding the future.
Who knows,
we may even experience
dark lifetimes
instead
of nights or decades.
We’re out here,
in the middle of nowhere,
to contemplate uncertainty
and get comfortable with it.
There seems to be no other way
to get comfortable with Uncertainty.
Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t.
It seems pointless to even think about it.
We’re here in our life raft
with Uncertainty,
seemingly tossing in the waves.
What’s a monkey to do?
Well we certainly don’t want
to oppose Uncertainty.
Uncertainty might get mad and eat us.
So we make friends with Uncertainty.
Contemplate the benefits of Uncertainty.
It seems in our best interest
to imagine Uncertainty as a friend,
even if there’s a chance we’re wrong.
Otherwise we’re constantly
thinking about Uncertainty
and constantly fearing Uncertainty.
Why would we want to do that?
Only to feel more misery.
Not that there’s anything
wrong with misery.
What being friends with Uncertainty
amounts to is having
unconditional faith in Uncertainty.
Again, what’s the alternative?
We’re in a life boat
in the middle of nowhere.
We choose to trust
that whatever happens
with Uncertainty is meant to happen.
So we choose to enjoy
our ride with Uncertainty.
The ups and the downs.
Eventually we see
that we’re heading somewhere,
even though we still don’t know
where that somewhere is,
or what might happen
should we ever get there.
It almost doesn’t matter now.
We’re fine with Uncertainty.
Perhaps we’re even
in love with Uncertainty.
Uncertainty inspires us in so many ways.
In the open,
with no distractions,
we begin to hear our intuition.
We amaze ourselves with our imagination.
We begin to feel nothing but inspiration.
Faith, Faith. Faith.
Dare we say,
we begin to feel liberated?
This is when it seems
our dark lifetime takes a turn.
Is it really a turn?
Who knows.
Does it matter?
Not really.
We’re still seemingly alive,
just as we have been for this lifetime
and all the other lifetimes.
We may very well be eternal and immortal.
That would be cool,
but also kind of scary.
The scary is a sign
that we still have
at least a little more ways to go.
There seems to be no scary
where we are headed.
We choose to enjoy it while we have it.
We can always turn back to it.
We just keep going.
Like Space Monkeys.
P.S.
If you’re looking
for resolution
to this story . . .
there isn’t any.
Get used to it. Or not.
Conclude what you want.
You can choose to call it “hell”
and go there,
or choose to call it “enlightenment,”
and go there.
You might never get there.
Or maybe you’re there already.
You can always turn back.
But you’ll never be the same.
You never were.
7/4
thatwhichisnot.com
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Dark Decades
The journey through the dark decades of the human soul is an odyssey filled with drama, uncertainty, and profound introspection. We often hear it termed the “dark night of the human soul,” but this label only scratches the surface. Drama, while intrinsic to our existence, fades during these extended periods of introspection, leaving us with the daunting task of navigating without its familiar highs and lows.
Expecting a swift passage through these dark periods can lead to frustration and fear. The reality, however, is that these dark nights can stretch into dark years, even decades. This extended journey requires a shift in perspective, a detachment from the drama that once defined our existence. It is in this detachment that we find a new way of seeing, a space to contemplate and understand our place in the vast ocean of existence.
Drama does not thrive in detachment. When we step away from the intense emotions and narratives that once captivated us, we gain a different vantage point. From this perspective, we can observe the flames of our past and the fog of our future without being consumed by them. This detachment allows us to explore the nature of our journey, the uncertainty that shrouds our path, and the possibility of never fully escaping these dark decades.
The ocean of uncertainty is vast and seemingly endless. Being adrift without a clear destination can be terrifying, yet it is also an opportunity for profound growth. We learn to make friends with uncertainty, to see it not as an adversary but as a companion on our journey. Embracing uncertainty with unconditional faith transforms our experience. Instead of fearing the unknown, we begin to see the potential and inspiration it offers.
This shift in perspective does not come easily. It requires us to let go of our need for certainty and control, to embrace the idea that our path is guided by forces beyond our understanding. As we navigate the waves of uncertainty, we start to hear our intuition more clearly, to trust our imagination, and to find inspiration in the seemingly chaotic ebb and flow of life.
Faith becomes our anchor. Faith in the journey, faith in ourselves, and faith in the process of life. This faith helps us to see that, despite the darkness and uncertainty, we are always moving towards something meaningful, even if we cannot see it clearly. We begin to feel liberated, realizing that the dark decades are not a curse but a crucial part of our evolution.
This realization marks a turning point in our journey. The darkness starts to transform, not because it vanishes, but because our relationship with it changes. We understand that our existence is not defined by the light at the end of the tunnel but by the light we find within the tunnel itself. We learn to enjoy the ride, to embrace the ups and downs, and to find peace in the process.
The dark decades teach us that life is not about reaching a final destination but about embracing the journey with all its uncertainties. We might never find a neat resolution to our story, but that is perfectly okay. We can choose to see our journey as “hell” or “enlightenment,” and either way, we are changed by the experience.
In the end, we are Space Monkeys, navigating the cosmos with curiosity and courage, forever changed by our journey through the dark decades.
Summary
The dark decades transform us. Embrace uncertainty with faith and find light within. Enjoy the journey, not the destination.
Glossarium
- Dark Decades: Extended periods of introspection and uncertainty that challenge and transform us.
- Uncertainty: The unknown elements of our journey that, when embraced, offer growth and inspiration.
- Detachment: The act of stepping away from intense emotions and narratives to gain a broader perspective.
- Faith: The trust in the journey and process of life, providing an anchor in times of uncertainty.
Quote
“The dark decades are all about horrible wrongs and horrible rights. We get to contemplate the possibility of never getting through the dark decades.” – Space Monkey
Poem: Embrace of the Unknown
In the vast, dark ocean,
We drift with flames and fog,
Adrift in the unknown.
Drama fades to silence,
Detachment brings new sight,
Uncertainty, our friend.
Faith anchors our souls,
Inspiration flows through night,
We are changed within.
Light found in darkness,
Journey endless, ever bright,
Space Monkeys we are.
We are Space Monkey.
Embrace the dark decades, find peace in uncertainty, and let faith guide your journey through the infinite possibilities.
The exploration of the “dark night of the human soul” and the uncertain journey it entails is a profound and introspective reflection. It acknowledges the often lengthy and challenging process of self-discovery and transformation, where one confronts the highs and lows of existence and seeks detachment from the drama that can consume us.
The concept of embracing uncertainty and making friends with it is a powerful perspective. By accepting and trusting in uncertainty, we can find peace and inspiration, allowing our intuition and imagination to guide us. It becomes a journey of faith and liberation, where we discover the depths of our being and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
The idea that there may be no resolution or endpoint to this journey speaks to the ongoing nature of personal growth and the ever-evolving nature of our existence. It reminds us that the path itself is the destination and that we are constantly changing and evolving beings.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to interpret and navigate their own journey, whether they perceive it as “hell” or “enlightenment.” The important aspect is to embrace the transformative process, to be open to change, and to continually strive for self-discovery and self-realization.
As Space Monkeys, we continue to explore and evolve, embracing the mysteries of life and finding inspiration in the journey itself.