"Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us"

Meister Eckhart’s words evoke the paradoxical relationship between suffering and spiritual discovery. When life is enveloped in darkness, representing times of hardship, loss, or sorrow, it might feel as though all hope and clarity have vanished. Yet, Eckhart maintains that it is precisely within such darkness that light is found. Light, in this sense, transcends physical brightness and suggests an inner illumination: understanding, comfort, wisdom, or spiritual awakening.

Sorrow and adversity, though difficult to endure, often push a person to confront fundamental truths about themselves and the world. Pain strips away the superficial aspects of life, demanding introspection and vulnerability. In these moments of rawness, there is potential for profound insight. The “light” is not a promise that suffering will simply evaporate, but rather that the presence of pain may open the heart to new depths of compassion, resilience, and connection, with oneself, others, and even the divine.

Moreover, Eckhart’s words suggest that moments of greatest sorrow may paradoxically be those when enlightenment or comfort is closest. The nearness of the light in darkness implies that adversity has the unique power to dissolve illusion and superficiality, allowing the essential truths to emerge. The light in darkness is not external salvation, but something internal: the rediscovery of hope, a reawakening of faith, or a deeper sense of unity with existence.

Far from advocating for suffering for its own sake, Eckhart acknowledges the pain of sorrow while offering a subtle message of hope. For those who feel lost or overwhelmed, remembering that light is closest when all seems darkest can inspire patience, perseverance, and trust in the unfolding of life. Encountering darkness with openness can, over time, transform suffering into a catalyst for wisdom and spiritual growth.