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The dark side of one’s personality does not fit with one’s perfect image of one’s Self. One keeps the dark side of one’s personality away from the peace table in one’s heart by denying it; but it still lurks elsewhere. The following are some ways one can discover where the dark side lurks in one’s life: selfishness, anger, vindictiveness, uncontrolled sexual urges, self-loathing (the hemorrhaging of the Soul), making premature judgments, and distasteful or morally reprehensible behaviors.
The dark side flourishes when one engages in self-loathing. This seemingly inexhaustible capacity arises in many forms, including when one does not like the way one capitulates to the needs of others by disavowing one’s own needs, when one ignores cruelty to keep the peace, or when one denies one’s own unrequited desires.
Along with directing the negative aspects of the dark side toward one’s self or other individuals, one sometimes lashes out at groups, transforming them into scapegoats or enemies. Usually one’s negative images of other groups—minorities, homosexuals, political so-called “enemies,” the homeless, etc.—are drawn from denied aspects of one’s Self. Thus, grappling with one’s dark images of other groups reduces the difference between one’s idealized projected public image and one’s actual imperfect inner image of one’s Self.
Along with negative, prejudicial images of other groups, death and dying are considered by many people to be among the worst aspects of the Dark Side. Do not be afraid of death. Be concerned that your altruistic life will never begin.
The prospect of death can be a great motivator for those who care about how they will be remembered. The justification for an honorable epitaph on one’s own gravestone is one way death brings goodness to the living. So live long but also live wide by putting a lot into each day and at least something for others.
To Your Own Commemoration…
HumaNatureConnect Activity
If this is not a day when you prefer to spend time in nature without an agenda, do the following activity:
Prepare Your Mind and Body — Read this text attentively, engaging your literary, intellectual, and intuitive senses. Open your mind toward happiness and sustainability.
Find an Attractive Natural Being — With pen and journal in hand, go to a natural area and look around until a natural being—a plant, animal, or natural feature—draws your attention.
Express Appreciation — As you observe your chosen being, breathe in appreciation and breathe out gratitude. Let this exchange deepen your connection.
Seek Consent for Connection — If your attraction lasts at least ten seconds, consider this mutual consent to enter a connection experience that supports your optimal functioning.
Engage Your Natural Senses — Use a variety of senses to enrich this connection, including at least one from each category: radiation (sight, sound), feeling (touch, temperature), chemical (smell, taste), and mental (intuition, reflection).
Complete the Activity — With heightened awareness and nature-induced vitality, engage in the activity you have planned or feel inspired to pursue. Follow up with any additional components that resonate with you.
Writing Your Own Epitaph
For this activity, write down the words of commemoration (those words beyond your name, birth date and death date) that you would like to see on your grave marker.
Follow-up Protocol: Natural Systems Reflection Process
For best results, journal your impressions using any of the following prompts and consider sharing your reflections:
General Description: Describe how you did the activity and what occurred.
Freeform: Write freely about what attracted you to your natural being.
Three Qualities: Note three qualities you found most attractive.
Three Learnings: List three insights gained.
Self-esteem & Trust: Reflect on any changes in self-esteem or trust in nature.
Changes to Self: Identify any personal changes resulting from the activity.
Honor Yourself: Praise your commitment to progressing on the Heartwood Path.
“I’m a Person Who...”: Complete three statements beginning with this phrase, reflecting your connection experience.
Feelings if Activity Lost: Write how you would feel if you lost this connection ability.
Nature Compared to Self: Create parallel sentences appreciating your natural being and yourself for shared qualities. This prompt is especially useful in group settings.
Ride the Green Wave: Assess your agreement with the Ten Green Wave Validation Statements by marking plus (+) or minus (-) in your journal.
Two-Word Summary: Summarize your response to the activity in two words.
Nocturnal Pilgrimage
Tend To Your Dreams Before Heading To The Next Waypoint
In choosing your Dream Council, do not pick “exclusively beautiful or happy images . . . Be sure to include those images that are repulsive, horrifying, or terrible” (Aizenstat, 2009, p. 233). Such images are often the most transformative.
Patience cultivates a deep equanimity, allowing one to gently dissolve prejudice and self-centered biases from the mind. It is through this steady calm that the heart opens to others and the world beyond the self.
To transcend narcissism, immerse yourself in nature. Observe how nature operates without vanity or ego, how every element exists in interdependence rather than isolation. Recognize that your existence and achievements are woven into a vast web of relationships and support.
Embrace the wisdom found in both communal values and individual strength: the Left’s focus on community quality and the Right’s emphasis on self-reliance each hold vital truths. Balancing these perspectives fosters humility, connection, and personal responsibility.
