In the Shadows

Being surrounded by spiritual people on a beautiful tropical island can be a wonderful and healing experience. Sometimes, too healing! Wait, before you say "what!!", let me explain...

Someone was recommending arnica for a couple of mostly healed bruises I had on my leg. Now, I am not big into creams and salves and such things, especially for something as non-life-threatening as a bruise, so I thanked her but wasn't very keen. She was very insistent that I needed to get some arnica and raved about how wonderful it is- she seemed a little miffed that I didn't rush out right then (we were at a wedding!!) to get some...

Another friend, who is highly intuitive, seems to rush me into processing whatever I am feeling any time I am a tiny bit not perfectly happy and someone else was recommending I 'throw my cough into the sacred fire' on the second day I had it...

Now, I love all of these concepts, and I truly believe that if you are stuck in something or can't shift a feeling or health issue, then some work is needed. But do we need to instantly process and dissolve every little 'negative'?

The Shadow is instantly seen to be suffering- a darkness, something to be avoided at all costs. Not only do we need to face our shadow (all those so-called dark and negative emotions and feelings), I think we need to own and honour them. 

My bruises remind me to be careful- I honour that the lesson was no more serious. My sometimes sadness pays homage to loved ones I miss or provides fuel for introspection and growth. My cough says pay attention to an unspoken truth, a repressed expression.

Be where you are for the learnings are important at every point in the scale. Being 'spiritual' does not mean just living in the light- you have to also embrace the Shadows...

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. 

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? 

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? 

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. 

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. 

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." 

But I say unto you, they are inseparable. 

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
(Kahlil Gibran- The Prophet)