Shadows

The skull. The hourglass. The hooded figure with a scythe.

Why are old churches rife with these and other dark, macabre symbols?

Because, confronting darkness (even in holy spaces) is a non-negotiable step on the path toward wholeness.

For a soul to reach high to the heavens, it also needs to plumb the pits of darkness.

Spiritual depth goes both ways.

Today, a person can go practically their entire life reading only positive, uplifting books, viewing only art that is decidedly happy, watching only comforting, Lassie-come-home types of movies, and visiting only bright, have-a-funnel-cake, ride-the-Ferris-wheel kinds of places.

Of course consuming positive, uplifting media is healthy. But maybe the opposite is too.

There seems to be a certain dosage of the dark and the melancholic that’s vital to the health of the soul.

Looking blackness square in the face, instead of uncomfortably shuffling past it, forces confronting discomfort — discomfort with the darkness inherent to life.

Once investigated, it can be easier to acknowledge the shadow within the self. Pretending the dark side isn't there is a recipe for disaster.

The internal shadow is impossible to vanquish. In fact, to murder the bleakness within is to kill any hope of living an honest, multi-dimensional life.

But, once the shadow is acknowledged it can be reasoned with.

Once reasoned with, it can become an ally.

Once it’s an ally, it can be fully recognized as an integral half of a two-sided self.

Then, a soul can experience wholeness. With wholeness comes inner peace.