A book review on Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
This is a memoir, and an astute well-researched and readable account of the concept of “the dark” as a physical, spiritual, theological, psychological, and emotional state. Though Taylor references dark and light in the context of racial misconceptions of the bad and the good, her overarching purpose is to expose the complex yet simple nature of darkness, and what we can learn about ourselves and each other if we embrace it—a fascinating read.
A phrase the author repeats several times in reference to different circumstances captured my attention —”the way out is the way in.”This applies to cavers who for recreational or research purposes explore caves as well as those who explore spiritual and theological conundrums. She also writes about the art of psychotherapy, which involves stepping into the darker side of our conscious and unconscious being to find our way out of conflict, psychological malaise, and emotional distress.
There are ample references to authors in each of these areas, a bibliography of names and works, to support the value of exploring darkness. These explorations may occur while walking on a darkened street, sequestered in an isolated, lightless cabin, or retreating from the outer/external world into the often tamed and untamed world of our thoughts and feelings.
Taylor quotes Carl Jung, who wrote: “Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.”The psychoanalyst may have been addressing the therapist-patient relationship in particular, but I suspect he also meant these words to apply to all of us in the myriad relationships that we have: parent-child, teacher-student, friendships, loved ones, and the lesser intimate ones we experience on a daily basis that are momentary in duration.
Taylor makes an excellent case for stepping into darkness to explore and know yourself, and then embrace finding some peace and [even] restless comfort in living fully into the truth of who you are.
by 
