by TPO
Though it is often said that ‘ignorance is bliss’,
we must admit that it is also akin to being left in darkness without regard for
consequences. I am convinced that the
most effective approach to understand darkness is the metaphysical (philosophical)
one. And to solidify our total
understanding, we will need to conclude with a demonstration (example) of
darkness and its meaning and implications.
I - From
Brahma Teachings (*) :
According to the Grandsire Prajapati (and the Brahma
teachings), Darkness (“Tamas”) is one of three qualities or
manifestations of existence. [The other two are Goodness (Sattwa), and Passion
(Rajas).]
TAMAS (Darkness) …
should be known to have the night (or obscurity) for its essence. It is
otherwise called Delusion. It has unrighteousness (or sin) also for its
indication, and it is always present in all sinful acts ….
Complete delusion, ignorance, illiberality, indecision
in respect of action, sleep, haughtiness, fear, cupidity, grief, censure of
good acts, loss of memory, unripeness of judgment, absence of faith, violation
of all rules of conduct, want of discrimination, blindness, vileness of behavior, boastful assertions of performance when there has been no
performance, presumption of knowledge in ignorance, unfriendliness (or
hostility), evilness of disposition, absence of faith, stupid reasoning,
crookedness, incapacity for association, sinful action, senselessness,
stolidity, lassitude, absence of self-control, degradation, - all these
qualities are known as belonging to Darkness (Tamas).
Whatever other states of mind connected with delusion
exist in the world, all appertain to Darkness. Frequent ill-speaking of other
people, censuring the deities and the Brahmanas (priests), illiberality,
vanity, delusion, wrath, unforgiveness, hostility towards all creatures, are
regarded as the characteristics of Darkness. Whatever undertakings exist that
are unmeritorious (in consequence of their being vain or useless), what gifts
there are that are unmeritorious (in consequence of the unworthiness of the
donee, the unseasonableness of the time, the impropriety of the object, etc.),
vain eating, - these also appertain to Darkness (Tamas).
Indulgence in calumny, unforgiveness, animosity, vanity,
and absence of faith are also said to be characteristics of Darkness. Whatever
men there are in this world who are characterized by these and other faults of
a similar kind, and who break through the restraints provided by the
scriptures, are all regarded as belonging to the quality of Darkness.
II - “ In
the Dark” … by Rabbi Raymond Beyda (**)
[...sic ...]
What is the significance to the nighttime encounter
and the conversation held at dawn?
There was once a man who was shipwrecked on a deserted
island. He had no contact with the outside world and was unfamiliar with any of
society’s mores or conveniences. When he was found and brought to the city he
experienced many things that we all take for granted for the first time.
Sometimes he understood what he saw but many times not.
One day he saw a line of people entering through a
large lobby into a dark room. He paid at the counter and followed the others
inside where he was awed by the sight of several hundred people sitting in rows
of chairs staring at giant figures walking on the wall. He stood frozen in the
rear of the theater as the movie scene changed from minute to minute. At one
point it became very dark and the man had trouble seeing what was happening. He
immediately took out a halogen lantern and pointed at the screen to illuminate
the area where the people had disappeared. A large white spot appeared and it
became clear that there was no one really on the wall as the audience turned to
the rear of the theater and angrily protested the light. “Turn that thing off –
Don’t you know we can’t see anything unless it is dark?” Silly man – didn’t he
know you can’t see in a theater unless it is dark?
In this world of ours there should
be a sign – ‘Keep the lights off - We only see in the dark!” ...[sic] ....
_____________________
(**) Excerpted from:
http://www.torah.org/learning/tabletalk/5767/vayishlach.html
Parce Que Tu Pars
