dark side

I don't particularly embrace, attempt to destroy, or avoid my dark side. I register it's existence and do my best to co-exist with it. It is part of who I am. And sometimes darkness is called for, in my opinion. I understand some may disagree or feel that isn't their way, and I accept that - but it's mine.

Some parts I embrace, and others I work to eradicate. It depends on what my intentions are. I do my best not to avoid or ignore it. Yes, I am comfortable with it.

I prefer the term "shadow" to "dark side."

I have a mixmaster personality; light and dark are all part of the blend. I long ago accepted that I could do harm as well as good; but I keep attempting to minimize the harm while using the strengths that what might be considered "dark" aspects (compeptitiveness, amition, egotism) can give.

In your definition, Rev, what is the dark side? Is it anger and violence, or is it the tendencies to be facinated with death and debauchery. I feel it is all me, so I do embrace it. It is the only way for me to keep it in control. I even have a profile that is directed toward that side.

I know I have a dark side because at various times I've lived it either in reality or the imagination, I will start some line of thought or action that others and myself might consider "evil" (for want of a better word) and usually I will pull myself back from the brink before the thought translates into act, but sometimes I will return to the thought and revel in it, look at the world of possibilities from 1000ft and sky-dive into it pulling my parachute chord at the very last possible moment.

Muhahaha!

I'm just amazed no one has made a Star Wars quip yet.

I think in our society, people are encouraged to try to conquer or be victorious over their dark side. I grew up really really really Christian and our dark side encompassed a lot of things, but mainly our "flesh". Not our body, per se, but our wants and desires. I grew up with A LOT of guilt and am still trying to shrug that off. I do hallucenogenics and one recent mushroom trip really screwed with me. I saw me, for who I really am, and it was scary. I saw my dark/shadow side and my first reaction was to be afraid of it. To not want anything to do with it. This experience messed with me so much so that I went all the way to Peru to work with a Shaman and to drink ayahuasca. I had to confront this dark side of mine and see what was up. And I did. It was hard, but I now see that there is balance in us. Dark/Light. I have learned to not judge my shadow side, but instead, at times, when necessary, to embrace it. I disagree with a post here that says there is nothing good that can come from sorrow. There are times when we need to mourn. When we need to go through hard times to appreciate the good times. I recently broke up with my boyfriend of two years and man, it's been hard! I refuse to plaster on a smile and pretend that I'm not hurting. I also don't engage in any thoughts that will keep me down, but I instead, choose to let those emotions come, observe them, and let them go. I see it like being in a cocoon. It's dark. It's uncomfortable, and it's long, but in the end, the natural process of things will not let me down. Beauty comes. Now, as far as hurting others, or allowing myself to spread gossip, and that kind of "dark" stuff, no, I don't want to be that kind of person, so I don't participate in things that will hurt orthers or myself.

Another note: when I was in Peru, during my last aya session, I felt myself being pulled under. The previous time I had flown with everything alive in the Universe. Well, when I felt myself being pulled under or in towards my underworld, I panicked. I thought, oh no, I'm going down into my hell again. I saw orange and felt heat. It wasn't my hell. Instead, I saw a beautiful cat woman locked in a cage. She was very feral and velvety. Let me go, she said. Let me out. She was purring and it was all so overwhelming. She was my "dark" side, my sexuality and yes, I had been locked until that moment. It was a hard decision; I went against everything I was brought up with, but in the end, I slid open that lock and she came out. It was amazing and I'm glad it did it!

I put on my cape and run around the house in it....

Embrace and draw strength from.
Not as much what, as where and how. My dark side is a verb.
Comfortable. Like having an extremely well trained Mastiff. (for those not into dogs, Mastiffs are the "Dogs of War")

LOVE THIS: "the dark side is a most precious resource. It is a highly protected playground and once you can cross it while laughing and being a little sad for the apparent bottomless pit of human stupidity, you are done." Would not have used the word "stupidity", but what the hey.

For those into Astrology - I am a Gemini with a Moon in Scorpio, Scorpio rising.
Descriptive phrase for that combination: "I am my evil twin."

If you mean my shadow, I try to understand it so that I can transmute it.

I consider my dark sides (yes more than one) to be all part of the whole. I think I tend to co-opt my darkness and bring it into service. I tend to not be judgmental of either the darker or the lighter sides of me but see them as inevitable inseparable parts of the complete person.

Willy

I'm a fan of the Tantric idea that Dark and Light, Good and Evil are both the same exact thing, the same single consciousness that we have split into two categories because we perceive them differently. The reality of it is there's no separation between dark and light, hehe! Most people, including me, can't see it so easily, but that doesn't mean its not true ;P I at least think you should accept your dark side with your light in order to be whole and balanced. Dark doesn't necessarily have to mean bad!