Exploring Beyond the Horizon

 "Mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness.  Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding." -Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1 Many of the metaphors of Christianity focus more on light than darkness or light in opposition to darkness. I attended a church youth camp many years ago where the entire theme was "stand in the light." The Gospel of Matthew teaches to "let your light shine before others." The "light at the end of the tunnel" is a common phrase to express hope of a better, less dark world. Darkness, on the other hand, carries negative connotations of something evil, cold, cursed by God, something to be avoided.  "Outer darkness" in Mormon theology is where the devil, his demons and the worst of humanity will dwell.  Within this context, I found the Tao Te Ching's metaphors around darkness and emptiness to be "enlightening." In the very first chapter of the Tao Te Chi...

 "The Master does his job and then stops. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval.  Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him."  - Tao Te Ching Chapter 30, Stephen Mitchell translation As I've reflected on this verse from the Tao Te Ching, I've noticed a pattern throughout my life of seeking others' approval as a means of validating my self-worth, success and happiness. More accurately, my perception of others' approval or disapproval, whether real or imagined, has at times preoccupied my thoughts in ways that have hindered my ability to truly be content and at peace in the present moment. I certainly don't think I'm unique in this - we live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with expectations about what it means to be successful - be it through wealth, status, or whatever other metric that is imposed on us or that we imp...