Night

“The world rests in the night. Trees, mountains, fields, and faces are released from the prison of shape and the burden of exposure. Each thing creeps back into its own nature within the shelter of the dark. Darkness is the ancient womb. Nighttime is womb- time. Our souls come out to play. The darkness absolves everything; the struggle for identity and impression falls away. We rest in the night.”
― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

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A Hasidic Tale

'How can we determine the hour or dawn, when the night ends and the day begins?' asked the Teacher.
'When from a distance you can distinguish between a dog and a sheep' suggested one of the students.
'No' was the answer.
'Is is when one can distinguish between a fig tree and a grapevine?' asked a second student.

'No.'
'Please tell us the answer then.'
'It is, then,' said the Teacher, 'when you can look in the face of a human being and you have enough light to recognise in him or her your brother or sister. Up till then it is night and darkness is still with us.'

 

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