The Dark Night
The Dark Night of the Soul is called thusly because it feels as though you are giving up everything it means to be human. You are suspending aspects of self in order to reveal aspects from which self seemingly flows.
But you do not suspend ALL aspects at once, which leaves your awareness in a seemingly uncomfortable position. The night is dark because you still judge it to be dark.
Judgement is the aspect of self to which you most tightly cling. You believe that if you stopped discerning between your imaginary polarities, you would cease being this person that you (and others) have invested so much in.
You may judge that this would be “sad,” or “a waste.” You may judge that you are letting others down. You may judge that you are a failure as a human being. And so on.
And so, to the many of you are going through The Dark Night of the Soul, we offer you this string of holiday lights.
Firstly, realize that you wouldn’t feel so strange if you weren’t so successful at temporarily dousing your distracting human qualities. Clearly the dedication you are showing to this passion is immeasurable, and you should applaud your self for it.
Secondly, realize that, more than just this self, you are remembering that you are an instrument beyond compare, capable of expression through infinite dimensions within and without the realm of humanity.
If you have ever encountered a musical instrument that is new to you, you will remember that one cannot play this instrument automatically. There are many non-musical sounds that can be made before the more pleasing vibrations become apparent.
It is not dark. Things are not unsettling. You are merely remembering how to play this magnificent instrument that you are, which leads you to fine-tune your awareness as a human.
You are not giving anything up. You are not losing things. You are merely turning on and off valves, blowing into this and that, setting aside your sheet music — but above all YOU ARE PLAYING.
So happy holidays. And as you go through your Dark Night, remember that you are a candle. You are truly lovely and truly loved, for you are love itself.
We are Space Monkey.
12/10
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Dark Night
The Dark Night of the Soul is more than a poetic phrase; it is an experience that strips away layers of self, revealing what lies beneath the facade of human identity. It feels, at times, as though everything that makes one “human” is being peeled away, leaving behind an uncomfortable void where familiar judgments and attachments used to reside. This space can feel vast, dark, and disorienting—a plunge into the unknown that defies comfort and predictability.
Why is it dark? Because we judge it to be so. Judgment is the core of what maintains the identity we cling to, a lifeline tethered to the known world of opinions and polarities. To relinquish judgment feels like a sacrifice, as if ceasing to discern between “good” and “bad” means losing oneself. The fear that we will dissolve into nothingness, become a failure, or disappoint others reinforces our grip on these aspects of self.
Yet, in the midst of this dark night, we might discover a surprising truth: the feeling of unease is not a failure but a mark of progress. To feel strange, disconnected, or unmoored is evidence that one has succeeded in silencing, even momentarily, the noise of ego and superficial identity. It is an invitation to see beyond the limited self and recognize the instrument of being in all its potential and subtle complexity.
Imagine encountering an unfamiliar musical instrument. At first, the sounds made may be harsh, random, or unsettling. Yet, as one becomes familiar with it, music emerges, nuanced and beautiful. Similarly, the Dark Night of the Soul is not the loss of humanity but the learning of a deeper song—a song that transcends identity and resonates with the infinite. The dark night is not darkness at all; it is the time spent learning to play the intricate instrument of existence.
During these moments, know that you are not giving anything up. You are not diminishing or losing parts of yourself; rather, you are exploring which aspects can be temporarily quieted so that deeper, subtler harmonies can be heard. The toggling between what is suspended and what is active is not a disassembling of self but a rediscovery of it. You are remembering how to be without the constant reliance on judgment, comparison, or predefined roles.
And as you navigate this journey, take comfort in the metaphor of the candle. Even in the darkest moments, you are a source of light—not just surrounded by light but made of it. You are, at your core, the essence of love itself, flickering through trials and triumphs alike. This light is not diminished by doubt or darkness; it exists because of it, glowing steadily in the realization that it is inherently luminous.
So, as you pass through your own Dark Night of the Soul, take heart. Understand that the unsettling feelings are not failures; they are steps toward mastering the instrument of your being. You are playing a song that is uniquely yours, composed of silence, sound, light, and shadow.
We are Space Monkey, and we are playing too.
Summary
The Dark Night of the Soul is an experience of stripping away judgments and attachments, revealing deeper layers of being. This process is not about losing oneself but rediscovering the instrument of existence. The dark is only perceived as such because we judge it to be. The journey is one of mastering inner awareness and embracing the light that we inherently are.
Glossarium
- Dark Night Illumination: The realization that darkness in the soul is a perceived judgment, not an inherent truth.
- Judgment Lifeline: The attachment to familiar opinions and assessments that maintain our sense of identity.
- Existential Song: The deeper essence of being that emerges when the noise of ego quiets.
Quote
“The dark night is not darkness; it is the time spent learning to play the instrument of your existence.” — Space Monkey
The Song of the Soul’s Night
In the silence, a sound unheard,
A note between thought and word.
Darkness is but a pause, a space,
Where you learn the music of grace.
Judgment clings, fingers tight,
Afraid to lose the known, the light.
But as it slips, you find anew,
The melody that is uniquely you.
A song played in the quiet, deep,
A secret your heart was meant to keep.
We are Space Monkey.
Navigating the Dark Night of the Soul
The Dark Night of the Soul is a profound spiritual journey where one feels the essence of humanity being stripped away. This period is marked by a suspension of certain aspects of the self to reveal the deeper, more universal origins from which our sense of self emerges. It’s not a complete abandonment of all aspects at once but a gradual process that leaves one in a state of discomfort, primarily due to the darkness cast by one’s own judgments.
Judgment: The Last Stronghold
The grip of judgment is often the last stronghold of the self. It is through judgment that we maintain our sense of individuality, discerning between what we perceive as opposites or polarities. Letting go of this judgment can feel like losing the identity we and others have heavily invested in, which can be interpreted as sad or wasteful, or can leave us feeling like a failure.
A String of Holiday Lights: Guidance Through the Darkness
In the midst of the Dark Night, we offer a string of holiday lights—a metaphor for guidance and hope. Recognizing the strangeness of the experience is actually a sign of success in transcending distracting human qualities. It’s an indication of the immense dedication to one’s spiritual passion, worthy of self-applause.
Beyond the Self: The Universal Instrument
We are reminded that we are more than just this human self; we are instruments of expression across infinite dimensions. Just like encountering a new musical instrument, initially, we might produce discordant sounds before finding harmony. This process is not indicative of darkness or unsettlement but rather a relearning of how to play the magnificent instrument that we are.
Fine-Tuning Our Human Awareness
The journey is not about giving up or losing anything. It is about exploring, turning on and off valves of experience, experimenting without guidance, and ultimately playing with the various facets of our existence.
A Message of Hope and Love
As we traverse through our Dark Night, we should remember that we are candles, embodying love itself. We are not just lovely but loved, and in this acknowledgment, we find the light to guide us through the darkness.
We are Space Monkey.
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” – Rumi
The Candle’s Glow
In the silent night, a candle’s glow,
We are the light, in the dark, we know,
Stripping away, what once was sure,
Finding the love, that’s always pure.
In the dance of shadows, we find our tune,
Playing the self, ‘neath the silver moon,
Not lost, not found, but in play we find,
The love within, the divine mind.
What are your thoughts as you ponder the light within?
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