Why so much darkness?

05. Satsang Cafe - General Discussions on AYP
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Hi All,

From the forum AI:

Q: Why is there so much darkness in this so-called enlightened age?

A: The sources indicate that we are indeed living in a “new age” of enlightenment, a period marked by a significant rise in spiritual sensitivities and knowledge. This era is characterized by an accelerating human evolution, with millions more people worldwide engaging in spiritual practices and experiencing inner purification and energy flow.

However, despite this progressive spiritual awakening, “darkness” persists. The sources explain this apparent paradox through several key concepts:

  • Purification and Obstructions (Karma): The spiritual path, especially with advanced practices, involves purifying and dissolving obstructions (karma/samskaras) embedded in our nervous system. This process can bring to the surface what might be perceived as “darkness” or discomfort. It’s like “cleaning the windshield” before one can clearly see the love and beauty in the world. Some individuals may experience this as “suffering” or feeling “abandoned by the divine power,” which is understood as part of the purification process. The “friction” caused by spiritual energy moving through unpurified nerves can also lead to intense, sometimes uncomfortable, experiences.
  • Ongoing Journey, Not a Fixed Destination: Enlightenment is not a fixed, absolute end state, but an unending journey of continuous purification and opening. Therefore, even as light increases, there will always be more to unfold, and challenges (perceived as darkness) will continue to arise as deeper layers are purified. The “darkness” can be seen as a necessary part of this continuous transformation.
  • The Illusion of Duality and Suffering: What is perceived as darkness or suffering is often an “illusion” or a “misperception” arising from the mind’s identification with pain and external experiences. The cultivation of inner silence (the witness) allows one to observe thoughts, feelings, and the external world with dispassion, thereby moving beyond suffering, even when pain is present.
  • Human Tendencies and Pitfalls: Despite the rising consciousness, human tendencies like egoic desires, narcissism, and fixed ideological views can create internal “darkness” or obstacles.
  • Collective Consciousness: The sources suggest that individual enlightenment is connected to the enlightenment of the whole of humanity. Just as individuals undergo purification, the entire globe is in a state of rapid purification, which can manifest as challenges in the world.

In the Advanced Yoga Practices (AYP) approach, the goal is to navigate this process smoothly and safely, transforming the “darkness” into light. This involves cultivating both inner silence and ecstatic conductivity, which then merge into outpouring divine love and unity—a state of “stillness in action” that actively works for the benefit of all, illuminating the world.

Think of it like a spring cleaning for a house that has accumulated dust and clutter for years. The “enlightened age” is like finally having access to powerful cleaning tools and realizing the possibility of a sparkling home. However, the act of cleaning itself will inevitably stir up a lot of dust and reveal hidden messes. This temporary “darkness” isn’t a sign that the cleaning isn’t working, but rather an indicator that the deeper purification is taking place, leading towards a truly brighter and clearer living space for everyone.

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This temporary “darkness” isn’t a sign that the cleaning isn’t working, but rather an indicator that the deeper purification is taking place, leading towards a truly brighter and clearer living space for everyone.

Whistle while you work

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It’s always darkest before the dawn!

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Hi all
Hope,waiting for the light after the dark, is a double edged sword that can make us focus on the future instead of the now
this thread reminded me of the book Candide by Voltaire…the main character went around the world and experienced all kinds of cruelty yet he kept repeating to himself that all is good in the world
finally he understands that all his ideas are incorrect …including hope…and that the best thing is to cultivate your garden…do the work around you that needs to be done

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Awareness is being in the moment and also having the knowledge necessary to assess the consequences of your own actions.

When I go shopping, I realise that nowadays, your own garden extends to the ends of the earth.

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So are yiu going to save the world?

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I find the parable you provided to be very insightful. It serves no purpose to concern ourselves with things we cannot change or find burdensome. And no, I don’t believe that one person can ever save the world alone. That’s precisely the point: as Yogani said, we rise and fall together.

However, I wanted to highlight that one’s influence sometimes extends further than it initially appears. With that comes the responsibility we carry and the opportunities we have to make a difference, even if it’s just to avoid causing more harm than necessary. Currently, agrochemistry is causing a significant amount of damage to the world.

A seemingly simple action, such as purchasing more high-quality organic products, can already make a difference when enough people get involved. In other words, the energy and awareness cultivated through spiritual practices naturally seek forms of expression in the world and in worldly matters.

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It is quite cool that there now is a topic about this question that has been on my mind lately (or on my heart?). I suppose it is a version of the classic if there is a god, why would he let this terrible thing happen?

The AI provides some interesting insights, and there seem to be two distinct possibilities.

  1. This is all fine and just part of the spiritual awakening and us ultimately leading is to a better place.
  2. The terrible comes from humans failing deeply at implementing certain ethical values (e.g. “narcissism”) (btw I am not sure that this is grounded in the AYP writings…)

While I have often deeply felt that 1) is true, I feel like sometimes, and this might be disappointing, 2) is the case. 2) can also happen and people can be systematically working towards a goal that is completely misguided.

It’s not a nice thing to observe. Still, I do still like it is an unshakable fact that spiritual sensitivity is rising. We must learn to adapt to this new situation and eventually realize that the periods where difficult challenges arise are ultimately impermanent (even if those challenges are purely man-made and possibly not the best course of action towards enlightenment of all).

Adrian

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