Light and Shadow (1): Understanding it for a better life
Light and Shadow are words that like others evoke a multitude of ideas and concepts. They are already well-discussed in the field of Psychology, particularly in psychoanalysis. I don’t want to dwell too much on this debate, but I bring this reference to what I’m willing to discuss. For you to get more acquainted with the subject, I suggest reading the authors that delve into it. Such as Carl Jung, Robert Johnson, and others in this field. I would arguably suggest even reading one that deviates from it: Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, but bear in mind the necessary critical reading of it.
Robert Johnson, in his book “Owning Your Own Shadow” clarifies that:
— “The shadow is that part of us we fail to see or know. (...) The shadow is that which has not entered adequately into consciousness [that is light]”.
From that, we can already understand that shadow is what we fail to see in ourselves or even comprehend consciously. We could even say that is what we choose or not to ignore, and when it manifests from our psyche is the materialization of ignorance. And what do we ignore? So many things…
The Light for instance. By pointing out what is its shadow, we can comprehend what would be light because one defines the other. You can only see and define Light if it’s surrounded by Shadow, and can only notice darkness if there is something bright.
The obvious assumption would be conscious itself, and it is right. Being the shadow that of which we don’t accept in our conscious, the light would be what we accept.
Now, in a prose argument, and even in a scientific one, we can understand Light as what illuminates our path while casting shadow on the corners. Can you see where I want to get? Light and Shadow are neither good nor bad, as common sense tries to explain. They are actually instruments for what purpose we want to manifest. Another common analogy to light would be intelligence since the shadow is ignorance. But, as we see in the Apocalypse of Jesus, according to John, 6:13:
— and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.
What does this mean? Brother Paiva Netto argues that these stars represent those luminaries that used intelligence without morality and thus fell. Paul Apostle says in his Epistle to the Corinthians, 3:19-20:
— For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
So does not matter just intelligence, that is Light, or even just ignorance, which is Shadow. We need a moral, ethical compass, to understand what is immoral, and work in ways that we don’t manifest immorality through our light.
The Moral Light
What could we use as a compass to manifest morality? Jesus, an example of intelligence, humbleness, and compassion.
— I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Eternal Life.
That is to say: “if you follow what I show you if you decide to follow my example, do not worry. You won’t be swallowed by darkness, rather you will become the Light of Eternal Life”. It’s remarkable what He is stating here, and when we think about it we can conclude that it is possible to live a balanced life where intelligence walks together with morality.
I urge you to read, in Spirit and Truth, under the Light of the New Commandment of Christ, the Bible, particularly the Gospel of Christ and His Apocalypse, which both show us not only a possible and balanced life in communion with God but also the divinity of Jesus. That is represented in His conscious choice to do God’s Will and do Good to others.
— The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.
(Gospel, according to John 10:17-18)
This shows us what is Divine about Christ. He does not choose to turn His back to the darkness of this world but to be an active changer of it, to be present and be there, helping us, through His example, to become One with God.
“I am the Light of the world”
He is truly Divine, and the Light which we decide to follow to make this a better world, to make it the Kingdom of God. What is even greater is that Jesus invites us, to be part of it as well (John, 13:34-35). To be a light just like Him (Matthew, 5:14-16),
— 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Another argument that I want to bring up is the Divinity of Christ and Earthly Humanity, as His counterpart. As Brother Paiva Netto teaches that Jesus is “the Sun that cast no shadows”. He is, therefore, LIGHT. And not any Light, He is the one that is above anyone and anything.
He is what morally sustains Eternal Life itself, and we are His shadows in a way that we exalt His Humbleness and Greatness. In that sense, Jesus is also Christ, because of us and we are only “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans, 8:17), because of Him. As two polarities, one can only exist because of the other. That is you can only be Christ with a Humanity to take care of and you can only be in a Humanity if there is a Christ.
— How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalms 36:7)
To finish this first part, I want to quote Brother Paiva Netto in his beautiful statement, to which we can perceive Light and Shadow in perfect harmony: “I admit the Divinity of Christ, but I am also moved by the Humanity of Jesus”.
