“If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
This particular quote, like many quotes, has been over used to the point of pointlessness. The meaning diminished and indistinguishable, from common word and dialect of a failing language. We hear it but seldom truly know its meaning, until we have entered the abyss and met what lurks within.
The ambiguity of terms “abyss” and interpretive dance of language “gaze long enough” leads it to be a classic quote because of the variety of interpretation. With none being considered correct, as the paradox of interpretation takes hold and can be argued for eternity. Those who have walked through the abyss, dug into its personalized secrets and felt energy radiating across the valleys of your face. Know, with words indescribable, the true nature of this phrase.
In certain societies, the abyss is something to be crossed to bring enlightenment and to truly “know thy self”. It is of challenge and destruction; It is of a timeless and placeless state. The abyss is not a place, and possesses no time structure. The abyss is a state, a place in the void that radiates not light, but dimensional thought-like energies. This is the best written representation, I can currently use to describe it.
The Abyss summons all who lurk
Those who have “crossed” this threshold have learned much about the nature of themselves. It isn’t only for those in a specific order, every has access to the abyss. Most commonly, those with depression are frequent viewers and journeyers into the abyss. Many will stare into it, and wonder. Some venture in slightly, embracing the energy and come back vowing to only stare.
Others, run into chaotically, becoming in engulfed in the void, losing themselves in the energy. The few, whom light a torch and take caution for the journey; navigate the inner workings of themselves and the world to come out the other side knowing more of who they are and accepting their nature.
The act of writing this, while going probing the abyss myself, is cathartic. We could tie this into the dark night of the soul or even into shadow work, on healing yourself and working to become a better person. Those who have worked through their own depression, understand the concept of the abyss in a different manner then those who have willingly journeyed it as a step to mastery.
When forced to comfort it at any age, it is daunting, challenging and overall a heavy burden on the soul. I have found through my journeys in the abyss, that there is purpose when finding your way. When battling the entities that it holds, for each person it is different set of battles and journeys.
In the end, it is for the betterment of society. It can mold you to become a better person who wants to help, who desires to have a life worth living. It gives you the insight to learn empathy, and to carry the torch through the night. A lamp for those who are lost, a beacon of hope for wandering souls struggling to find there way. This is what gives me hope, in sometimes hopeless times. That knowledge gained through these struggles may help guide people to a better world.
