In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.
How do these words spoken by Yoda in Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith apply here?
We can find ourselves in dark places in several senses. We can literally be without the light, in a street, in a room in our home, in a place of work. But look at what Yoda says – “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” – the darkness might exist outside of us, but the knowledge that “lights our way” is something that we generate within our self. It’s generated in our hearts and minds.
We have found ourselves in dark places time and time again this year, for example with coronavirus and all the upheaval that brought. Then the death of George Floyd has naturally stirred up many feelings – some of those feelings have not done us justice. They have surprised us, caused us to look at friends and family in a different way as some have viewed Black Lives Matter as a force of darkness rather than a work of light. The divisions between Trump and Biden supporters, Brexiters and Remainers can take us to dark places.
Dark places of emotional states can be caused by fear, anger, hatred, jealousy, or anxiety. And sometimes stress can become so great, that it looms so largely in our minds, that it seems that we live in its shadow; so that it blocks out the light of opportunity, the light of joy. Blocking out the light of peace of mind, also.
“In a dark place we find ourselves”. Quite often, when you are faced with a challenge you haven’t faced before, or that causes your stomach to knot and your knees to shake, you will discover strengths and resources that you didn’t realise you have. And so we can say in a different way “In a dark place we find ourselves”.
From my point of view, dark places are not necessarily bad places. They can be frightening places to go to, they can be filled with pain. But when you visit dark places, in a safe way, during therapy, you can learn a great deal about yourself.
You can learn that you are a survivor. You can learn that you are a person with real agency in the world.
Joseph Campbell said: “Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the source of what you are looking for. The damned thing in the cave, that was so dreaded, has become the center.”
Frequently in life, you might come across stumbling-blocks or a dark place to which you don’t want to go. A dark place from which you continually flee. A dark place from which you avert your gaze. And all of your efforts not to stumble, all of your efforts not to see, hear, or feel that darkness, actually bring the obstacle and the darkness front and centre into your mind. Into your life, and then this affects the way you live, love and play. It affects what you create, how you work. It affects how your parent. It affects how you view your success and your path in life.
But! Neutralise the obstacle, bring light to the darkness, and then those anchors to your past, those anchors to your fear can no longer exist. Then you are able to move forward – perhaps confidently, perhaps with care and caution. But you are are able to move forward and to begin living your life in the way that you want to. This is where therapy comes in.
In many ways and by a variety of means, therapy can help you to overcome obstacles, and to neutralise, or bring light to the darkness.
If you want to know more about how therapy could help you find the knowledge that lights your way. then give me a call.
May the Force be with You.
Gavin Bowtell is a hypnotherapist. He works on line and face2face. His force powers include hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, and BWRT®. WSN – Warriors, Settlers, and Nomads – can help you control your inner Sith and release the resources of your inner Jedi.
