The Light Inside the Dark: Zen, Soul, and the Spiritual Life

by John Tarrant

Book Overview

"An exquisite mapping of the Buddhist and totally beyond Buddhist path of liberation, done with the lightest of touches, with perfect grace and clarity and warmth of heart, in a way that makes it so human, and so compelling, that it shows this path, and the work play of meditation, to be nothing less than life itself, the human condition, offering anyone and everyone the actualities, the shadows, the blossoms, and the boundless, ever-present...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060172193
• ISBN13: 9780060172190
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Map of the Dark Road

The modern world has marginalized and anesthetized the deep, dark, inward turning process of the Dark Night of the Soul. John Tarrant revitalizes the descent into the underworld as the sacred journey that it is. Top notch writing.

East and West.. Psychology, Mythology, and Religon

I would expect that this book is heavy going to many readers. Tarrant's blend of Eastern and Western myths, depth psychology, and religeon make this one of the most dense, thought provoking, and awakening books I've ever read. With literary flair, Tarrant maps out the path of the Hero and the Everyman toward a more evolved self.

A very good attempt at bridging the gap...

Between Eastern and Western spirituality. I enjoyed reading the book, simply because of the authors' tone. In the past I have read several of Mitchell's books and enjoyed them; this combined effort did not let me down.The authors attempt to bridge the yawning (at times) gap between Eastern spirituality (in the form of...hmmm...Taoist Zen) and some facets of Western psychology. I enjoyed reading their views and did find some very thought-provoking ideas. I suspect if you have read any Wilber you won't find a major surprises but they do have a few differences of opinion.I have read it a couple of times and did notice more on the second try. I suspect that starting fresh on the book without all of the other books clouding my mind would probably make it even a better experience.

Extraordinary book for spiritual seekers

Tarrant's book is a masterwork. For those experiencing loss, depression, despair, or just plain frustration by the uncertainty, confusion or slowness of their spiritual search, Tarrant's book is sure to bring hope and new understanding. He is sure to remind you, as he did me, that the experience of living life, whatever happens, is the reason we are here. THIS IS WHERE THE ACTION IS. While we may be pulled upward to the Creator, we've also got things to learn here and passing through the dark is the great teacher of how to find Spirit and evolve. Learning to control your attention is the key. But this book will do more than make you UNDERSTAND that; it will make you FEEL it right down to your toenails! Tarrant speaks from his heart here! His prose sparkles like poetry and fine, aged wine. In his foreward, Tarrant reports dreaming that this book was a large fish. If you read it, his big fish will swallow you whole, like Jonah, and you will come out a different man or woman.

Zen Enlightenment COMBINED with Jungian Wholeness

It doesn't get much better than this. i read a paragraph or 2 a day -- that's all i needed to get a wonderful hit of Zen/Jung. Took months. If you could articulately elaborate as a Zen master on Jung's quote "Enlightenment is not imagining figures of light but making the darkness conscious;" and as a Jungian analyst on Kornfield's quote "Enlightenment is intimacy with all things," it would sound like Tarrant (imho). Reading this book moved my thorough practice to an entirely different level. Caveat: i don't consider it a beginner's book; _A Gradual Awakening_ or _Seeking the Heart of Wisdom_ would be better starters. Then after 5 years of practice, _The Light Inside the Darkness_ would probably act as a rap on the shoulder with bamboo or Rinzai shout. i think the discipline of the practice needs attention first (a la _Breath by Breath_ by Larry Rosenberg (discipline w/ a sense of humor) or _The Heart of Buddhist Meditation_ by Nyanaponika Thera (detailed, serious read), later comes the poetry.