Shadowing Light

Photography and Text by Jules Hovee Steffen

It seems that in each moment, there may likely be an open space for healing a part of us that may be hiding in the crevices and shadows of ourselves, not wanting to be found out in some profound way.   The crevices and shadowed spaces deep within us may offer a sense of safety when considering our backstories and early perceptions about whether we felt truly safe.  For many, we may now realize from our life patterns that we have felt unsafe in a myriad of varying levels – physical, emotional, spiritual, energetic, etc.  What may be true for us – is that the darkness in the shadows of these crevices may shield us from having to step forward into what may feel like beam of brightness that may create such vulnerability while illuminating what’s really going on for us.  To experience the light may feel too shocking – it may feel as if its just too much for us to bear its penetrating sense of hope and enlivened grace.  The shadows may insulate us from the light such that we may stay separate. And the separation may likely feel familiar from times past in our early existence, and to some degree, we may experience elements of safety in the separateness.  Yet, in staying separate, we also stay removed from ourselves and others – and experience our spiritual connections potentially remote and unavailable.  The process of shifting from the deep crevices and shadowed places deep within our being – as we transition toward the light may likely be a slowly-paced journey, with varied lengths of pauses and resting places. It’s not a journey that can be rushed.  That may be part of our wounding, that we were rushed in ways beyond description, that we perceived we had little – or no choice – in any matter that pertained to us, and subsequently, we lost deep connections with ourselves along the way.  All of it is expressed in the Middle Ground: Where Sages Dwell, where the gaps of shadowing light are embraced with deep respect.  Without the darkness, we may not really know what it means – to venture toward what may be – a little dot of white light, our first hope-filled glimpse of an open space ahead, waiting for us.