Soul, darkness and compassion

When we are journeying with soul, we navigate so many paradoxes. And, it is said that the older we become, the more we start to let go. For we cannot take anything with us when we get to the end of our earthly life. It is akin to the getting of wisdom. For example, Mary Oliver wrote: “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” (Poetry book - Thirst)

Her words are describing her own grief, loss and pain caused by someone she cared deeply about. If we are endeavouring to live aligned with our soul, this is a journey that may or may not have an ending. Mary Oliver understood this and it must have been a difficult time for she says 'it took me years to understand'. We may feel ourselves cry out, 'but you don't know the truth'.

However, the loved one has their own journey. And they are responsible for their own lives. We cannot make them reconnect or behave in a certain way.

There is also the reality of that what seems 'truth' for them, is a 'different truth' for us. Truth has many sides. Love and compassion are the only way through this. Compassion for one another is where we can find ourselves and peace within and understand a little of the other side. We are taught that we cannot truly understand another unless we have 'walked a mile in their shoes'. Jesus said, 'treat others as you would yourself'. And, the golden rule, 'do to others what you would have them do for you.' There is no guarantee that the other person will hear us, understand or change, but compassion and forgiveness helps us to live with peace in our heart. Another saying is that, 'holding onto anger is compared to carrying a burning coal or drinking poison while expecting someone else to suffer.' But the real person who is suffering is ourself. We must practise compassion and forgiveness* in order to prevent our own heart being regulated and harmed by living in darkness and pain. *Forgiveness is not about forgetting or ignoring something horrific, nor giving into it. The forgiveness I am referring to is about forgiving ourselves. Forgiving ourselves for focusing only on the darkness and not allowing ourselves to live our lives or to shine. Because if we dwell in darkness, we have lost joy in our lives. And that stops us living abundantly.

Yes, this is hard stuff. But, when we dig deep down within ourselves, we realise that to be aligned and at peace with our soul, the path is to follow compassion. Because that will bring peace to our soul and lead us to joy. We must choose to live in the present ...

not in the remembered past nor the projected future.

Words copyright Karen Curran