Employing the Light Side

[Hermit]

Or rather, recognition that it is the Light Side that employs us; and equally the dark side that employs us.

The question is, and what I'd like to explore, what are the fundamental differences in how these sides employ us, and if there is in fact a reality in which we control, or are controlled, by either.

My instincts lean towards a more light sided approach, and are enforced by experience which tells me it begins as collaborative, then co-operative, but never coercive.

Is power an illusion?
Is the pursuit of power folly?
Is weakness truly strength when that weakness does not come from a place of deceit, but self acknowledged powerlessness as in the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous (for example)?

[PurpleLama]

As a high functioning alcoholic I can attest, power is no illusion, but the misled/misguided/misinformed might see some external person/circumstance/substance as wielding power against one's powerlessness, whereas in truth they have merely not seen fit to garner their own power to themselves and for themselves.

As for light versus dark methods and methodologies, one seeking mastery over self is like unto the chicken farmer, one day he feeds the flock but on another day selects a bird to be culled for cannibalistic behaviors. Surely it is light to feed and nurture, and it is dark to kill (and compost!) but each is likewise necessary for the benefit of the birds and for the farmer who needs some eggs.

[Phil]

My experience has been that:

Light = truth (information) = love
Darkness = ignorance = deception

We lie to ourselves when we say deception is necessary, at least for the type of being I consider myself. Dark is nice for contrast, and mostly harmless if you don't take it personally.

I can't personally relate to a lust for power, but am learning to not take it personally in others

All is well

[PurpleLama]

Yes, Phil, one may take all manner of dualities and liken them to the light/dark. Definitions are important, and in this context, especially for the word power, as the imortance of power is how one finds and weilds it in one's self (for good or ill, there is a learning curve, there). Within light there is only the perception of possibilities, while within darkness there is no perception therefore limitless potential. Knowing self is delving deep into the darkness within, not evil nor ignorant, rather the darkness within contains the sum total of all things that have ever been. It is within the darkness that Mystery moves, within the light all is fixed as one cultivates the misconception that one can see and know, illusion.

[Pris]

Or rather, recognition that it is the Light Side that employs us; and equally the dark side that employs us.

The question is, and what I'd like to explore, what are the fundamental differences in how these sides employ us, and if there is in fact a reality in which we control, or are controlled, by either.

My instincts lean towards a more light sided approach, and are enforced by experience which tells me it begins as collaborative, then co-operative, but never coercive.

Is power an illusion?
Is the pursuit of power folly?
Is weakness truly strength when that weakness does not come from a place of deceit, but self acknowledged powerlessness as in the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous (for example)?

Is it an illusion (and arrogant)... to believe you are even choosing a 'side'? Absolutes don't feel right to me.
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[Pris]

As for light versus dark methods and methodologies, one seeking mastery over self is like unto the chicken farmer, one day he feeds the flock but on another day selects a bird to be culled for cannibalistic behaviors. Surely it is light to feed and nurture, and it is dark to kill (and compost!) but each is likewise necessary for the benefit of the birds and for the farmer who needs some eggs.

The farmer needs eggs, does he? Become a vegan and leave the poor chickens alone.
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[PurpleLama]

I will have you know that I have the happiest bunch of birds that the world ever did see, and their eggs are delicious.

My chickens will actually stop when you walk up to them, and let you pick them up to pet them. Happiest, I should have said rottenest. They are super silly. I have built a chicken enclosure about three times the size of my house, that I'm now hanging wire on, that would suit five times the number of birds that I have, although these will be super pissed when they are relegated to the "yard". It's necessary, if I am ever to grow another vegetable.

[PurpleLama]

Absolutes aren't right, you're right. Beliefs aren't right, either, and to absolutely believe in something, well, you're fucked.

[Naga_Fireball]

It's all gambling.
Those who gamble that it is pointless in the end to have practiced discipline & or faith, could be wrong.

Those who are defensively neutral make me lol

[Pris]

I will have you know that I have the happiest bunch of birds that the world ever did see, and their eggs are delicious.

My chickens will actually stop when you walk up to them, and let you pick them up to pet them. Happiest, I should have said rottenest. They are super silly. I have built a chicken enclosure about three times the size of my house, that I'm now hanging wire on, that would suit five times the number of birds that I have, although these will be super pissed when they are relegated to the "yard". It's necessary, if I am ever to grow another vegetable.

These adorable chickens of yours are practically pets... That's another matter entirely.
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