“evil is the absence of the awareness contained in the present moment”
We use the words evil, bad and the shadow occasionally in this book to point to the identity and behavior of the false self. But consider this truth: “the only human behavior that could be called ‘evil’ is to be unconscious (not present). The metaphor of the devil is referring to the false self which is also supported by the shadow within each individual and further influenced by the narrative (P-B) containing each person.”[i]
“The Jewish Tradition also seems to recognize both the dark and light aspects of God—his wrathful and merciful nature—while the Christian God, who claims ‘I am the Light,’ is forever sundered from his dark brother, the Devil, who contains only shadow. Rather than posit the devil as an outer independent actor, mystical teachings affirm the reality of the shadow within. Their introspective practices offer a way to gain power to redeem it.”[ii]
Insight # 35 comes to us from Roy Charles Henry (b. 1938). He is the creator of The Simple Reality Project.
“As darkness is the absence of light then evil is the absence of the awareness contained in the present moment. … It is in our best interest that we stop fearing the specter of evil [and instead] shift our energy to living in the NOW.”[iii]
__________
Additional Reading:
- Evil, The ABC’s of Simple Reality, Vol 1
__________
[i] Henry, Roy Charles. “Evil.” The ABC’s Of Simple Reality, Vol 1. May 2018, p. 164.
[ii] Zweig, Connie and Jeremiah Abrams. Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 1991, p. 129.
[iii] Henry, op. cit., p. 166-167.
