Ternezia
On differences and the essence
In one of the forums I use to participate, I saw a topic that caught my attention; it was just a short question.
"How many Dark Paths are there?"
Most of the replies were: "I have my own Dark Path" or "The Dark Path is a Path of Individuality, so everyone's perception of it counts as a Path, because everyone's Path is unique". This, to most degree, is true, but only if we see the Path itself as something changing, or adapting to the nature of those who walk it. Yet, is it indeed so? It seems that most of the people confuse or misunderstand the concept of Path. A particular Path holds its own qualities, requirements and unique mark, which, only if followed as it is, will guide a person toward the result they desire. While this may sound like a description rather of a method, or technique, this is also a part of a Path's essence - to be definite, not flexible. Yet, let's look at what is a Path in itself.
Imagine that we are trying to describe a song. We write down its notes, use a sheet of paper and a pen, play the melody using a musical instrument...well, that's it. The song. What we did, however, is just a partial process, it is not embracing the whole essence of what is a song. Same with the Path. We may talk about it, describe its characteristics, define them - but there always remains the rest and the most important, which has to be *experienced*. In every esoteric teaching there is a part which cannot be conveyed through ordinary means of speech, sight, hearing, and even mind. Yet, the unspoken and the invisible still presents - and it is the essence. So what is a Path? Experiencing the unspoken, and walking its road. There are things that are known, but some can only be shared (and even understood) only between those who possess the same level of sensing or went through same spiritual experiences. And again, a Path is something defined. The matter is that half and even more, of that which is defined, most often cannot be conveyed by words; yet a walker on the Path do reaches the experiences leading to the knowledge, if he manages to become aware of the essence.
How much individualism plays a role in all this? A lot and a little. A lot because due to our uniqueness we perceive a song differently. There is no human who would get absolutely the same emotional reaction to it as another human, simply because the emotional reaction itself will be unique. Even when the two are so similar so to feel things in almost identical way, something yet always be seen from a slightly different angle. A little because no matter it all, the song itself will remain what it is. This is one of the aspects of the Path which is most often being excluded when we try to grasp for the picture. Yet, here individualism is rather something that helps us preserve *our own* uniqueness, which uniqueness cannot be taken from us regardless, despite that many fear the opposite. But the one who is able to affect our uniqueness, is only and entirely ourselves. The power of free will can be a coin with two sides. Still, the Path itself has nothing to do with affecting our individuality or lack thereof - no matter what kind of Path it is, there are certain universal laws that grant us the power to make the decision about our own fate and destiny before anyone else does.
Yet, I often encounter statements that a Dark Path is a Path of individualism; and some of those even base whole theories on difference between the Dark (individuality) and Light (unity). I tend to agree that the Light strives towards unity, but I see no reason the Dark not to aim the same. The difference would be that Light rather strives towards unity with all and Dark strives to unite with only that which it choses to. Also, the Dark uses to make strong distinctions, and maybe rather tends towards universal "judgement", while the Light dislikes separation, dislikes even change and strives to preserve things as they are, even shunning away from any *defining*, if possible. And if not only the Light itself together with its supporters, warriors and followers, but even ALL would remain in a constant state of peace and tranquility, this would be the best for it. From there the concept of Peace, Preservance and Unity. In the other hand the Dark also aims to gain more influence on the universal (and mundane) scene, but this is being accomplished rather by change and movement, which are also directed to destroy the continual state set by the Light. From there the concept of Movement, Change and Destruction. This two currents, Dark and Light, remain in constant interplay with each other, through the interaction of the opposites. And as much they manifest themselves in a larger metaphysical scale (as universal principles), they are also being reflected in the world we see around us.
In the mean time, our personal search should embrace the principle of being mindful to all and walk the road using both the tools of external information and knowledge that stems from within. While looking for the essence, we should not be deaf to our own inner voice, relying only to the words written or spoken and taking them as absolute truth. The truth becomes such, and the knowledge becomes a real one only when we truly feel the reflection of what we heard or learned, in our heart. Then exactly the individuality and the essence discover and meet each other.
So how many Dark Paths are there? Only one. Every perception is unique and yet, that which is, will always be. The Force is one, and the Force is. And thus its currents are also such, manifesting the oneness through diversity of their essences. Be bold in your search for wisdom and power; and decided to embrace the Dark current of the Force, always strive to behold the truth. Our inner voice speaks to us all the time; listen to the song, and listen to the Voice of your chosen current. Be mindful on your path and may you find the wisdom you seek through the sacred moments of awareness.
Ternezia Bardo