Darkness Visible: Awakening Spiritual Light through Darkness Meditation [Paperback]

Ross Heaven (Author), Simon Buxton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2005

The first book to examine the spiritual and therapeutic practice of retreat in physical darkness to explore inner light

• Shows how experiencing complete darkness over prolonged periods helps in developing mental clarity and creativity

• Draws upon many indigenous and spiritual traditions that use this technique

The use of ceremonial darkness is a classic and cross-cultural method for exploring hidden aspects of unconscious and super-conscious states, accessing invisible landscapes, and embracing the deeper recesses of the self. In Darkness Visible Heaven and Buxton examine the spiritual and therapeutic practice of taking retreat in physical darkness.

For millennia mystics and sages have used darkness as a spiritual tool for breaking with their pasts, prior conditioning, and the limited reality of their societies. Spiritual seekers from many traditions--Celtic, Eastern, indigenous North and South American, Tibetan, and African--have used darkness as a tool for spiritual enlightenment. Heaven and Buxton show how experiencing complete darkness, even for only a period of hours, brings about a remarkable clarity and mental stillness and thus provides a springboard for creativity, intuition, and spiritual development. They include exercises that explore lucid levels of dream consciousness, drawing both from their experience as teachers of this method and from the many cultures that include this practice in their spiritual traditions. Darkness Visible shows how deprivation of sight can truly teach us to see.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Joseph Campbell would have liked this bright book on an essential and overlooked everyday pathway to greater spiritual strength. Part discourse, part anthropological exploration and part spiritual road map, this volume asks the simple and profound question: "What might we learn about ourselves and the powers of the 'other world' by surrendering to the beauty and opportunity for greater vision afforded us in darkness?" This pioneering effort marshals the experiences of various global cultures that look to extended periods of literal darkness for spiritual initiation and inner illumination. The text is based in part on excerpts from various people who have participated in the authors' "Darkness Visible" workshops. The praiseworthy testimonials ground the volume with real experiences and ring with consistent clarity, attesting to the capacity of darkness for fostering an "exquisite connection to spirit, self, and others." Extending an open hand to all faith traditions and offering interesting and simple exercises, the authors transcend any erroneous notions of occultism that may be associated with the title. A valuable asset to personal and public libraries, this work opens the door to the wondrous dark chamber we enter every time we close our eyes to pray, meditate, chant or dream.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“. . . we learn about ourselves and the powers of the ‘other world’ by surrendering to the beauty and opportunity for greater vision afforded us in darkness. . . . Ross Heaven and Simon Buxton have nurtured the most fertile ground for the development of true spiritual sightedness.”
(Malidoma Patrice Som?, author of Of Water and the Spirit: Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman )

“A shaman is a man or woman who sees in the dark. Gifted storytellers Ross Heaven and Simon Buxton blend cross-cultural stories of initiations in darkness to bring a powerful ­initiation to our modern world . . . inspiring us to open up to new perceptions made ­possible by using our other senses.”
(Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self Through Shamanic Practice )

“Darkness Visible soars. A colossal book!”
(John Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, The World Is As You Dream It, and The Spirit of the Shuar )

"A valuable asset to personal and public libraries, this work opens the door to the wondrous dark chamber we enter every time we close our eyes to pray, meditate, chant or dream."
(Publisher's Weekly, Religion Bookline, Dec 7, 2005 )

"These gentlemen have come up with a new form of spiritual experiential magic that will change most people's views of reality."
(Magical Blend, Oct 2006 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (November 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770611
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770616
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Darkness Meditation Book, February 11, 2012

By 

JUBAL LARIMORE - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Darkness Visible: Awakening Spiritual Light through Darkness Meditation (Paperback)

I think the darkness meditation has value. "Darkness" in this case has nothing to do with evil. It's more about relaxing all of our 50,000 thoughts and emotions a day to open up to deeper levels of consciousness. I read sometimes 100 pages a day. I did not care for this book, though it does have some value.

11 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Heaven, March 2, 2007

By 

Jennifer E. Fisher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darkness Visible: Awakening Spiritual Light through Darkness Meditation (Paperback)

I have not written many reviews but this book was a wonderful surprise. I borrowed it and have had a hard time giving it back until I get my own copy! I especially like the exercises that allow you to explore and practice on a small scale and see the wisdom gained by this spiritual practice. Highly recommended!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Essential Paradox, December 10, 2011

By 

The Alchemist (Somewhere USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Darkness Visible: Awakening Spiritual Light through Darkness Meditation (Paperback)

Essential Paradox:

This is not an audiobook.

Consequently I can not simultaneously both READ and DO this book.

If obligated to make a choice, I would certainly pick the doing of it.

No written word can substitute for the gentleness of the human voice.

Thank you, Simon. Thank you, Naomi. Thank you, Spirit of the Horse.

Thank you, Mother of Darkness.