Does the term “Dark of Love” feel awkward to you? Most people are more familiar and comfortable with the phrase “Light of Love.”
All my life I have been deeply saddened by the continual racism I see in our country. I’m a writer so I look to words for understanding. I see embedded in our language a basic racism. We talk about blackmail as bad but white lies are OK. The examples are endless. And spiritually you’re supposed to go to the light and avoid the darkness.
As a person of light skin, I imagine what it would be like to frequently hear people say, “I just went through a really light time in my life and it was terrible. I’m glad to get away from the light. That whiteness was truly ugly and disturbing.”
I believe that there is a pervasive “spiritual racism” occurring in this country, deeply embedded in our spiritual communities.
Equating light with spirituality doesn’t even make sense. When I get ready to meditate, I don’t go around turning up all the lights or sit under a spotlight. I turn down the lights, close my eyes and enter a blessed darkness where I can feel a connection with all Oneness. I feel more inspired and peaceful staring up at the black night sky than staring at the white sun.
I believe It is time to “blackwash” our language and avoid the terrible lightness of prejudice. Let’s talk about encouraging love and connection and avoiding disconnection and chaos. I find it a good spiritual practice to be aware of my words and try to avoid the white/good, black/bad bias. As a white person it also helps me stay aware of racism and white privilege as I listen to my language and other people’s use of words.
I wish I had a magic wand to change the entire world but I can change my words and so I invite you to join me in embracing the beautiful dark of love.
Jan Ögren, MFT * Psychological Shamanism * 
Thank you, Jan, for drawing attention to our (mostly) unconscious choice of words embedded in our culture. I will give more thought now to the words leaving my mouth.
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Dear Jan, Thanks for courageously addressing this often unnoticed psychospiritual-linguistic bias. I think that dark matter and invisible “light” balance and outweigh visible ight in this universe. Otherwise it would end in entropy. The Spirit is generally invisible to eyes. How could we see the stars without the Night? How can we see the Star in each soul when we focus upon skin?
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I saw some verbiage that you had studied with the native tribes of America. Is this true? I have some deep questions on how they communicate mentally with each other. My mother could trace her linage to very early settlement of Texas. I’ve been told by medical doctors that my facial bone structure is definitely Native American Indian heritage. The only reason I bring this up is that my Mother communicated very often to my brother and I mentally even over long distances. We didn’t even realize it was unusual until late in adult hood. She is no longer alive. I would like to discuss with with someone who understands it deeply.
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Thanks for your comment – I’m curious if “communicate mentally” comes through in words or more emotions, images or sensations? I use the word vear and vee instead of hear and see when related to spiritual/energetic communication – to represent Visionary/vibratory hearing and seeing. You can contact me more directly through http://www.JanOgren.net if you would like.
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