Darkness Defines the Light – Guest Post by, Tina Frisco…

Posted on by Chris The Story Reading Ape

Image courtesy of Ningren

Without darkness, light would have no definition. Without evil, good would never be challenged to expand. Without definition and challenge, there would be no growth. Without growth, our spirits would not evolve.

Many indigenous peoples say the Earth is a schoolhouse and we incarnate here in order to learn. This makes sense only if we view the spirit as separate from the corporeal. If we do, then advancing to higher consciousness and an elevated spiritual plane holds great promise for human transcendence.

The Earth is a bipolar planet. Since all matter converts to energy, we can infer that our lessons will be of a bipolar nature. Darkness and evil are not, in and of themselves, our enemies. When we set up something as the enemy, we constrict and lose all prospect of growth. When we see adversity as our ally, our growth potential expands and accelerates.

I recently reviewed The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch. You can read my review HERE.

The message in this book is that our spirits pledge with one another to learn specific lessons when we incarnate, and each of us plays a role specific to any person or persons with whom we have contracted. Thus, if I pledge to help another soul learn joy, I might be the implement of sorrow. Likewise: prejudice → tolerance; cruelty → compassion; animosity → forgiveness; fear → love.

This places adversity in a very different light, inclusive of the importance of endeavoring to change a bad situation. Growth lies in rising to the challenges we pledged to meet when making our contracts.

Viewing life in this way is empowering. If we made a contract that we later discover no longer serves, then it is within our power to change it. However, we might not readily see the means by which to do so. I have encountered this many times in my life and still struggle with it in some areas.

My spiritual teacher has often told me that I have the power to manifest what I want within a split second. When I sit in relative consciousness, this concept boggles my mind. When I move into absolute awareness, I understand and see the vast potential of existence.

Rumi speaks eloquently on this subject . . .

The Guest House
~Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

If truth holds that we contract with each other before we incarnate, then everyone we now meet is a guest in our lives. We might not like the gifts they come bearing, but they are gifts nonetheless – seeds to help us grow.

I see the Winter holidays as the Season of Light. Christmas: Star of Bethlehem; tree lights. Chanukah: Star of David; menorah. Kwanzaa: kinara. Yule/Winter Solstice: candles; yule log. The list goes on.

Each of us chooses whether to light our path or walk in darkness; whether to see not only with our physical eyes, but also with our spirit eyes. We choose whether to open our hearts and allow light to enter, or close them and live in darkness.

During this Season of Light, I wish us all the warmth of an open heart and the myriad blessings it bestows. May we invite in each guest who knocks, honoring the pledge we made to them. And may we walk in beauty, love, and harmony with all living things.

Image courtesy of Pixabay CCO

Until the next time, my friends… Namaste ❤

© Tina Frisco 2017

Tina Frisco

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Amazon:

UK – USA – CA – AUS

98 thoughts on “Darkness Defines the Light – Guest Post by, Tina Frisco…”

  1. HI Tina,
    Again you enlighten us on your ability to write thought-provoking and inspiring messages. (When I grow up I want to be able to write like you.) You are one talented lady and I’m fortunate to follow and share your writing. This is another must-read for my friends. Thank you.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  2. What a thought-provoking post Tina! Once we experience darkness, we do emerge wiser and resilient. Only the darker corridors of life enlighten our inner self, only a dark room makes us search for that streak of light, which infuses hope. Thanks for sharing Rumi’s inspiring words… “The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
    meet them at the door laughing
    and invite them in.” The day we understand this, we learn the true meaning of being alive. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  3. A lovely perspective, Tina. I certainly have grown as a person from my encounters with adversity, and I wouldn’t be where or who I am without having traveled the hills and valleys of my path. I’m not convinced of any particular belief about the nature of our existence, but any viewpoint that brings wisdom, kindness, and compassion is worthy of contemplation. Wishing you a season filled with peace and joy. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Thank you, Diana. Remaining open to all viewpoints fosters those virtues we hold in high esteem. We don’t have to accept any one viewpoint as truth, but leaving the door open to exploration is exhilarating and gives fear a run for its money 🙂 Happy Holidays, my friend ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  4. What an amazing pearl you’ve given us, Tina.
    “Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
    still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.”

    And your own words, Tina (so many stand out, like these “We choose whether to open our hearts and allow light to enter, or close them and live in darkness.”)….so inspirational. Thanks for a provocative post, and thanks, Chris for sharing it!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  5. This is beautiful, Tina. I love the concept (and believe it) that everything and everyone that comes to us (good or bad) are our guests. We are to give gratitude even for adversity because that is how we grow. Thank you for shining your sweet light on others, Tina. Though I may never meet you in person, you are my sister. Hugs, light and love to you.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Aw Jan, you’ve so touched my heart. You exemplify gratitude in your writing and all that you share with us. This is especially meaningful given the many storms you have weathered in life. Hugs, light, and love to you, my sister ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  8. This is a beautiful way to look at those contrasts. It is so hard, but so necessary to invite those darker guests into our life. They have much to teach us. Thanks for such a thoughtful post, and for the lovely Rumi piece.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

Leave a reply to Jennie Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.