Dark Spirituality: Encyclopedia - Dark Spirituality

Dark Spirituality

Dark Spirituality is a broad term used to describe the Left Hand Path religions, however small groups of people are beginning to define themselves as dark spiritualist without identifying themselves as practicing any of the well known left hand paths. The religion believes all spiritualities divide into a dark spirituality/light spirituality dichotomy. Light spiritualist are believed to draw together into groups to seek out a higher being or beings to act as their Goddess/God or Goddesses/Gods. The dark approach is believed to be a solitary approach that leaves one responsible for their own spiritual growth without the assistance of any Goddess/God or Goddesses/Gods.

Dark Spirituality - Defining Dark Spirituality

Defining dark spirituality in the western world is difficult, because of its reliance on the individual to define their own spirituality. Dark spiritualists believe that each individual should be responsible for defining their own morality and spirituality. A person who goes to a God or authority figure to define their spirituality is often considered to be involved in light spirituality. This means even left hand religions can be considered a light spirituality if they worship some form of God or Goddess. For this reason even Theistic Satanist are considered a light religion by some. Reliance on the philosophies of a single man will often cause a dark spiritulist to name a left hand path a light spirituality as well. This has caused some dark spiritualists to critisize those that follow the teachings of any man including Anton Lavey.

Dark spiritualist are also divided on their belief of how one becomes dark. Some believe that dark versus light spirituality is not a choice, but is an inherent part of a person's nature from birth. Others argue that anyone can choose their spiritual path. The first school of thought believes that people discover they are dark after years of frustration in light religions. Some even claim they can sense a dark nature within others. The second school of thought sees dark spirituality more as a philosophy that is learned.

There is also a debate about whether there is a true dichotomy at all. Many will consider themselves in grey spirituality or shadow spirituality claiming that they have found a balance between both dark and light spirituality. This tends to be more popular among those who have adopted eastern philosophies along with dark spirituality. Most western practitioners believe that there can be no middle ground, however. Many that oppose the concept of a middle ground ironically claim to have chosen a patron. A patron is believed to be a higher entity that assists the dark spiritualists in exchange for some service the dark spiritualist will provide for the patron. Many that claim to have patrons argue that their relationship with the patron is a mentor/apprentice relationship and not a God/worshiper relationship.

The meaning of dark as a symbol in other religions also causes people to define dark spirituality with various different meanings. Christianity often views the dark as a symbol for evil. The Wiccan religion has a tendency to view dark magick as a selfish or harmful practice. Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism view dark as something that must come into balance with light. Taoism also holds many meanings for the symbolism of darkness that do not relate to the western version of dark spirituality. Not only do these other religions change the way society as a whole views dark spirituality, but they have caused those describing themselves as dark to have very differing views of the meaning of the word dark. One group may call itself dark to intentionally imply they are an evil group, while another may be implying that they are approaching eastern philosophy on a dark path. Those in the west specifically calling themselves dark spiritualists tend to discard these meanings and use it more for the purpose of creating the light/dark dichotomy.

Perhaps the one thing all sides agree on is that dark spirituality represents non-conventional spirituality. The precise meaning of the path will change for every individual, however most who use dark spirituality as the name of their religion tend to have common beliefs. .

Dark Spirituality - Spiritual Goal

Survival is often considered to be the overall goal of dark spirituality. Even in the physical, the survival of the individual is considered to be paramount. A process known as individuation is used to carry out the goal of survival beyond the death of the body. Individuation is the process of improving one's self spiritually to the point where the individual's consciousness survives death. This should not be confused with the psychological meaning for individuation. Some within the religion believe there is a reincarnation cycle that has to be overcome to accomplish individuation, while others believe one's spirit simply disperses at death if individuation has not occurred.

The dark spiritualist tends to accept the possibility that light spiritualities may be obtaining what they believe in when they die. It is believed that more powerful beings could be capable of providing many benefits in the afterlife, if they are in fact concerned with their believers, and they exist. The dark spiritualist consciously chooses to enter the after life alone rather than depending on another entity after death.

Dark Spirituality - Morality

The religion of dark spirituality is focused on the individual. Altruism is considered to be a myth created by light religions, and morality is determined by comparing the positive and negative consequences an action will have on the individual. This does not remove a person's ability to care for others or wish to do good things for society. Fufilling one's desire is believed to be a benefit in itself. It is for this reason that the dark spiritualist views all acts as selfish, since a person has to desire to be altruistic before they will be altruistic. A dark spiritualist can actually arrive at believing in the same morality more conventional religions support, but they will tend to approach each situation separately. Broad morality rules tend to be avoided, since every situation has a different set of benefits and costs.

Dark Spirituality - Occult Beliefs

Magick, meditation, and psychic ability are widely accepted tools for spiritual development amongst dark spiritualist. Energy is believed to be the fabric of all existence. Some adopting more eastern philosophies will consider this energy to be a God itself. Those that view dark as being spirituality without the worship of Goddesses/Gods prefer to view this energy as a building material for manifestation. Many different forms of pagan ritual have been adopted by dark spiritualist of all type, however there is a growing movement that calls for an avoidance of pagan ritual altogether. This type of dark spiritualist considers meditation to be the preffered method of accessing the spiritual, however even those wishing to avoid pagan ritual may use them in moderation to help with the three keys to energy manipulation (willpower,focus, and visualization). Psychic abilities are considered to be inherent in everyone. Dark spiritualist do not see themselves as unique in their abilities. It is believed that all humans have psychic capabilities, but the majority repress this ability through disbelief.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Dark Spirituality", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki