| | Dark Night doesn't have to be a massive emotional crisis, it can sometimes just manifest as an increase in reactivity and a general irritability. Dan's chapter in MCTB goes into quite a lot of detail about this stage and you'll probably find that reading this will give you all the information you need.
From personal experience I've found that it doesn't help to "expect" Dark Night to be some horrendous and painful period although it's always difficult to some degree, but the insights to be gained from it are worth the effort.
Important things to remember are:
1. Don't beat yourself up if you get angry, remember that compassion and lovingkindness should be sent to yourself as well as others. We're all human and we all experience these emotions (AF is another matter...) but as we progress our relationship to them changes so minimizing the impact they have on those around us by becoming aware of when we're in this stage.
2. Dark Night is inevitable. There's no getting away from it so learn to understand it for what it is and know that it, like everything else, will pass.
3. Practice often requires more effort and isn't as enjoyable during this stage but noting the Three Characteristics of each sensation will get you through every time without fail. Even though sometimes it doesn't feel like that, you'll see it for yourself so don't slack and keep the commitment to practice.
You've got so much experience already and a solid base to work from so don't give up, practice well and minimise the bleedthrough, as Dan puts it. |