The Light Inside the Dark: Zen, Soul, and the Spiritual Life

This is a book everyone should read. John takes the reader through a masterclass of self awareness, helping us understand there is value in every stage of life, and a life spent only in the sun of spiritual high is a fantasy and an unrealistic way to life a life that is anywhere near enjoyable.Just like the plants and animals accept and adjust to the change of seasons, so too should humans accept and adjust to the seasons of our emotions, successes, failures, and triumphs - knowing each is ephemeral and has something to teach us as we seek wisdom and grace in an every uncertain and serendipitous world.

Fierce, yet compassionate. Honest about life and not making it more beautiful than it is, the author convinces the reader that life has to be embraced and loved,loved through in all its aspects. That we we develop "negative capacity", equanimity in the face of great adversity, even loving the dark aspects of our existence.The language is poetic and literary, the deeper meaning of the myths and stories that lie at the foundations of our civilization are brought into our consciousness - the difficulties of life, impossible situations, are to be lived with by us like the immortals suffered through them. The stories and philosophy of Asia, although less exuberant, are equally wondrous and eye-opening. A very satisfying book, to be read and read again. It has been a good companion to me in rough times. I will always treasure it and read it over and over again. Every sentence contains so much meaning, that it will take a lifetime to digest this rich fare. Sometimes I even wish for the darkness to return, just so that I may reconnect with the contents of this book.

The Light Inside the Dark is an astonishing book. It should be read with patience and an open ,ready mind, or perhaps not at all. Like a poem, it is not an attempt to explain, or argue, or discuss, but to evoke. In a rich mixture of images, metaphors, myths, and stories, it probes every crack and crevice of the psyche, looking for enough purchase so that it may break open a gaping hole-- not so that it may swoop in, but that it might liberate a torrent of emotion and insight trapped within. Perhaps its most important service is to show by example, rather plead by treatise, that the solution to our suffering lies not in running away or building all manner of psychic and material fortresses, but in plunging into the darkness and learning that we have the strength to survive, and even to flourish. I am thankful for this gift.

For the first time in my adult life I finished this book and was so moved that I went back immediately to read it all over again; this time with greater attention. For anyone who is faced with the challenge of balancing a thirst for God with the darkness we call depression this book does not provide quick and easy answer. Rather it gives us insights as to what is going on in our lives and how we can do the hard work of finding genuine happiness. This is not a book just for students of Zen spirituality but for any honest seeker regardless of religion. If you are sympathetic to the writings of Thomas Merton or the poetry of Rumi and Hafiz you will find much to savor in this wonderful book.Tim

This book was helpful in a number of dimensions. I really appreciated the explanation and differentiation of soul and spirit. Tarrant brings the metaphysical into the physical and stays grounded while at the same time he transcends. Drawing on Zen, Jungian Psychology, and Christianity this work eschews dogma and rhetoric in favor of transpersonal humanity and spiritual growth that isn't rooted in any religious tradition but rather The Kingdom/Universe Within.

Simply one of the very best books I have ever read on grief, depression, loss of innocence, existential angst, and what we can learn from it all. It is not for the faint of heart. But when everything is coming apart, and you have nothing else to lose (not even your "life"), this is a phenomenal & deep read. Make it a study along with your meditation. Well done, John. Very well done.

Written in the spirit of the great spiritual Mystics, including themes such as: initiation, descent, ascent and transformation. Psychotherapist, poet and Zen teacher, John Tarrant reveals his influences of east-west spirituality and practices, coupled with Jungian insights. A practical and poetic blending of these strands of existence. Worth the read!

This book is beautifully written, and provides support for the hardest times of our lives and those we love. It is the spiritual book I most often recommend to others, and I have purchased and given away numerous copies. Highly recommended.I'll add that although John Tarrant is a Zen teacher, I am not a practitioner of Zen nor a Buddhist and have enjoyed the book greatly.

My order arrived very quickly and the book was in a descent condition.The book is a great read and just what I was looking for.

This book is great. The most important thing about it is the guidance it contains for ongoing zen training. I have never seen this type of treatment elsewhere, and doubt it is to be found outside the interview room. So John Tarrant has done a great service to the zen world by publishing this.

Beautifully witten

Well worth a read

One of the worst Zen books I have ever tried to read. After the first 10 pages I was so bogged down that this book is on its way to the local charity shop! If you like a tough read go for it but if you like your Zen simple then give this book a miss!