Maintain your inner light in a very dark time. Do not let your resoluteness be shaken. Do not distinguish yourself with bold behavior. Knowing the source of the darkness, dissociate from it. Don’t struggle with it. Resist, but don’t try to defeat it directly. The dark power is at its zenith and will, in time, depart, as noted yesterday.
The text reads:
“In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behaviour. In such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being duped.
“We find ourselves close to the commander of darkness and so discover his most secret thoughts. In this way we realise that there is no longer any hope of improvement, and thus we are enabled to leave the scene of disaster before the storm breaks.”
All of this will manifest a shock that evokes extreme fear. Ultimately, through this, one realizes the fear of God. That is what is needed to see it through to the end and to recognize the factors that brought us to this circumstance.
The text reads:
“The shock that comes from the manifestation of God within the depths of the earth makes man afraid, but this fear of God is good, for joy and merriment can follow upon it.
When a man has learned within his heart what fear and trembling mean, he is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influences. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around: he remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interrupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men – a profound inner seriousness from which all terrors glance off harmlessly.”
