Thoughts 2–Light and Darkness

Light and Darkness 

In many religious faiths around the world, light and darkness have been used as metaphors for thousands of years. Light is usually seen as a Godly phenomenon, emanating from a place of spiritual goodness and peace. It provides spiritual clarity to humans, allowing them the ability to see their spiritual paths clearly, similar to how we use light in a physical sense to guide us on a path. Light’s equated in most religions with positive qualities, while darkness is almost universally seen as something negative or frightening.

Our ancestors probably thought about light and darkness the same way—light meant a time of safety, abundance and good, while darkness represented danger, predators, and the unknown. As soon as humans discovered the use of fire, darkness began to be relegated more and more to a minor role; light based on sunlight and firelight became primary in most religious and cultural beliefs.

Even in today’s garishly lit world—a world full of neon and strobe lights and one in which true nighttime darkness is becoming rare, poisoned with light pollution (ask any dedicated star gazer), we still use the terms light and darkness with their original connotations intact for the most part. Light is good, darkness is bad. Shades of gray, figuratively or literally, are often disliked because they don’t offer as clear a distinction between good and bad. We have to make a decision—physically, as when we are driving in a fog—or spiritually, when we see multiple choices or options—based on what we can see.

Today’s world, however, may be even more confusing simply because there is so much more light. It’s become possible for humans to create the light of a sun on the surface of the Earth, using thermonuclear devices. These suns are blinding both in their physical presence as well as in their spiritual ambiguity. The power of the split atom can be used for good as well as for evil. The nuclear light is one that we associate with evil on many levels, based on its lethality. So we’ve come to realize all light does not equal good, nor is all darkness bad.

We’re often blinded even without the light of a thousand suns in our eyes by the neon enticements of the modern city and its 24 hour attractions. Some cities actually bill themselves as entities that never sleep. In these places, the darkness has been physically banished but we still realize—on some deeper level—that all light is not always good, nor is the lack of darkness indicative of safety and health, spiritually and intellectually. Over time, as we grow culturally, we’re coming to realize that the absence of actual darkness does not dispel the spiritual darkness we feel inside. In fact, it may be making it more noticeable.

In the Christian New Testament, light and darkness are described in the traditional ways. Light represents God, goodness and clarity, while darkness is seen as evil or lacking in God’s presence. Jesus told his Disciples, “You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14). In his recorded words, Jesus emphasizes many times that those who believe in the one true God are blessed and are light-bearers to the world. By their very existence and belief, they spread light over a world lost in darkness of a spiritual nature.

Luke takes the simile even further when he says Jesus noted that if we are good within, our light of goodness shines forth to others from our very eyes. “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light.” (Luke. 11:34).

The Apostle John, speaking of John the Baptist, an evangelical believer in the Abrahamic tradition of worshipping one true God, said, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John. 1:4). He goes on to say, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it… he was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light, the true light, which enlightens everyone…” (John. 1:5-9). Later, John says, in reference to Jesus this time, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John. 8:12).

In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…” (2 Cor. 4:6). And again, in his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says, “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” (1 Thess. 5:5).

So it’s very clear in the New Testament, both from what Jesus explained and what his Disciples reported, and what those same Disciples explained to later followers, light is seen in a very positive way and darkness is equated with apathy, ignorance, or knowingly doing wrong in the eyes of God. Christians have been taught over the centuries that by following the preaching of Jesus, and the explanations of his preaching from his Disciples, they can be filled with a healing spiritual life and light.

In Islam, light and darkness are portrayed in a very similar way. Since Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all three based on Abrahamic tradition and thought, this is not too surprising. But Islam has some extremely poetic images of light and darkness for humankind that are worth exploring in more detail. When humankind loses its way spiritually, the Qur’an, revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) says, “God is the protector for those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith, the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness.” (2:257)

The Qur’an is a guide and a gift to all of humanity. “Oh mankind! Verily there hath come to you a convincing proof from your Lord: for We have sent unto you a light which is manifest.” (4:174). Here we can clearly see the similarities in the messages that the Qur’an and the New Testament of the Christians share. God has sent messages of light, of hope, to all of humankind, throughout the ages. Often, we seem to find light, follow it and be “enlightened” by our spiritual journey. But somehow, we lose the light over time, and we drift away from the light, the peace and the basic message that God loves us and wants to guide us spiritually to a better place and a better life.

“And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law…We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him.” (5:46). Later, it was revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): “A Book which We have revealed to thee, in order that thou mightiest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light—by the leave of their Lord—to the way of Him the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!” (14:1). Light that we can find in true spiritual guidance—a light from within us, but also from God—will lead us toward the Truth.

One of the most moving and visually striking Suras of the Qur’an, which is filled with many passages of great beauty and wisdom, is this: “God is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the Glass as it were a brilliant Star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive neither of the East or of the West, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touch it: Light upon Light! God doth guide whom He will to His Light: God doth set forth Parables for men and God doth know all things.” (24:35).

Those who believe are likened specifically to lamps: “And as one who invites to God’s Grace by His leave, and as a lamp spreading Light…” (33:46). Even the Qur’an itself is seen as a source of spiritual light. “And thus have We, by Our Command, sent inspiration to thee: thou knewest not before what was Revelation, and what was Faith, but We have made the Qur’an a Light where with We guide such of Our servants as We will; and verily thou dost guide men to the Straight Way…” (42:52).

As with the truly faithful believers of the message Jesus was entrusted with, the believers of the message the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) are also told that their spiritual light will guide them and others who know them. “Their Light will run forward before them and by their right hands, while they say, ‘Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us and grant us forgiveness: for Thou hast power over all things!’”(66:8). Light will light our way as we progress on our individual spiritual journeys through life.

An ancient Vedic mantra gives the same message to us:

Oh, Thou, Who givest sustenance to the Universe

From Whom all things proceed

To Whom all things return

Unveil to us the face of the true spiritual sun

Hidden by a disc of golden Light

That we may know the Truth

And do our whole Duty

As we journey to Thy sacred feet

Our way is lit by goodness from within and from God, no matter what name we give our belief. The true spiritual sun is available for all who seek it; it’s a natural process within each person to seek out the Light and its answers, and to use it as a guide in our lifetime journey. It will lead us to peace, love, forgiveness and ultimately to God, and the Truth.

Each of us is guided somehow to words of truth and love revealed by God and placed at our disposal. If we’re lucky, we find the Light sooner rather than later on our journey; if we’re truly blessed, we can share that knowledge and source of wisdom with others to assist them on their own journeys. We need to be aware of the false lights which can lead us astray, and to be aware that darkness, too, has its place and function, if only to define what we don’t want in our lives.

Amen!