What is Darkness? - by TPO

What is Darkness?

----- // -----

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] ....
_____________________

(*) Source: http://www.hinduism.co.za/sattwa,.htm

(**) Excerpted from: http://www.torah.org/learning/tabletalk/5767/vayishlach.html