Sunrise

One:
It is so very dark. I know that you’ve been out in the light. Can you tell me about the light? What is it like when the sun rises?

Two:
We’ve talked before about the light and the breaking of dawn; I don’t think there is much I can tell you that you haven’t heard before. You really need to experience it. If you’d like to come and walk in the desert and experience the sunrise, I am happy to accompany you.

One:
I’m not really comfortable going out in the dark; it doesn’t seem like I would be safe. Can’t you go out and wait for the dawn, and when it is fully light, come and get me?

Two:
I wish I could, but one cannot jump from the dark to the light here. You have to go through the transition from darkness to light. I know the dark is frightening. Almost everyone is more or less scared of the dark. But we will go slowly, and I will be with you. I’ve walked with many as they move from darkness to light. You may be uncomfortable, but you will be okay!

Two:
I am glad that you have decided to brave the dark so that you can walk in the light. Now that we are here tell me: how are you doing?

One:
I am afraid to move. What if we step off the path?

Two:
We don’t need to hurry; we will go as slowly as you would like. Be still for a moment. What do you notice?

One:
I think I hear things out in the darkness. I am a little scared. What is it I am hearing?

Two:
Could it be the sound of the world waking up? It might be rabbits and squirrels venturing out for the day, or you might hear birds stirring in their nests while they wait for the light.

One:
Yes! Yes! That is what I am hearing!

Two:
That means that we are on the right track; dawn is coming. Can you hear those sounds as heralds of something coming and not something to fear? As you do that, pay attention to what your other senses tell you.

One:
Hmmm. I think that maybe it is starting to get a little bit lighter?

Two:
Is it? Can you see any further ahead than you could? How does the sky seem to you?

One:
Oh. Yes, I can definitely see more than I could before. The shadows are not as deep and dark as they were; I can make out the shapes of trees and bushes quite clearly now. And yes, the sky is a bit lighter. Instead of black, I see a deep blue, and at the horizon, I think I see a bit of gray.

Two:
It sounds like you are starting to see light. When you are ready, let me know, and we will move on.

Two:
We’ve been walking a bit now. Let’s rest here. What are you noticing now?

One:
Wow, the clouds! Before, the clouds were grey, but now they are tinged with colors.

Two:
Can you tell me more about the colors? How do they make you feel?

One:
They are soft pastels: pink, orange, and purple. I think I see blues and yellows as well. It is hard to say I they make me feel. Happy, maybe, but more than that. I think I am feeling a sense of peace.

Two:
Why don’t we just sit and watch for a few minutes? I wonder what happens next.

One:
That seems silly; I just told you what I am seeing!

Oh…Wait! I do see something happening; the colors in the clouds are changing. Even as I am watching, they are becoming more intense and brighter. There is hardly any gray in the clouds anymore. This is amazing!

Two:
It is wonderful, isn’t it, how the light brings so much color and beauty. I am glad that you are noticing it. Take a minute and look around. What does the sky behind us look like? What do you see in the landscape now?

One:
I can’t believe this: the colors are in the sky behind us. Even where there are no clouds, the sky is purple and pink. And I am starting to see the colors of the plants around us as well. I can see yellow and red flowers and shades of green in the foliage. And the shadows are almost gone. Now I can see birds and rabbits scurrying in the underbrush. That must be what I was hearing before.

Two:
As we move from the dark to the light, it is important to look around ourselves frequently. You’ll see lots of unexpected things! The sun is almost up now. It may be tempting to stay here, but let’s go on up to the top of the hill, shall we?

Two:
Well, here we are at the top. I wonder if we are close to the sunrise.

One:
I’ve already seen a lot that I never expected. If I am honest, I am feeling a bit disappointed now. The beautiful colors are fading. The sky looks more blue, but the lovely colors are almost gone from the clouds.

Two:
I see what you mean. It can be hard to let go of something, like the parti-colored clouds; especially if we don’t know what is coming next. We can’t really hold on to what was. Let’s rest and see what is next.

One:
I really like the beautifully painted clouds. Why do they have to fade?

Two:
It is in their nature to fade. They herald the sunrise, but they are not the sunrise. The sun cannot rise without whitewashing the clouds. But if you are willing to press into what is next, I think you will be glad you did.

One:
I think I see something new. It looks like there is a line of bright gold on the horizon. It looks like the sky is on fire! It is getting hard to look at. Is that the sun?

Two:
Not yet, but soon. Look around you again. What do you see? What do you notice?

One:
I see so much more detail now. The colors I thought were bright before are really bright now; they are vibrant. Even the shadows are brighter. They are still there, but they don’t hide anything anymore. They are no longer shadows; now, they are shades.

Two:
Look to the east again.

One:
I see it! I see the sun rising! I can’t really look at it; it is too bright. It is incredible, each moment more of it is revealed. I am feeling its warmth, too. It feels like everything that was dark or asleep has come to life.

Two:
I am glad you were able to experience the sunrise. Now it is time for us to go back down the hill, back home.

One:
I know we are not going back into the darkness, but it will get dark again, won’t it?

Two:
Yes. It will get dark again. And the sun will rise again. It will be a while before it is dark again. For now, enjoy the warmth of the sun and the brightness and newness of the world around you.

Now that you have seen the sunrise, do you think you will experience the darkness differently?

One:
I think so. I hope so. I want to. I will remember the sunrise.

Will it be just like this the next time it rises?

Two:
No. Each sunrise is different. Sometimes, there is almost no color in the sky; other times, the sky is completely filled with impossibly vivid reds and oranges. But remember: the “show” is just the preamble, the herald of the coming sun. You may rightly delight in seeing it, but the sun is what warms us and feeds our souls.

One:
I like that. Knowing the sun will rise again will help me bear the darkness.