Lo-Fi & Hushed / 2023 Winter Solstice Session / To Know the Dark

“To know the dark, go dark.”

— Wendell Berry

Each solstice and equinox Contemplify offers a public Lo-Fi & Hushed contemplative practice session for both free and supporting subscribers of the Non-Required Reading List. For those interested, go tell it on the mountain…

The third week of Advent salted on joy. Not because of the circumstances, but despite them. The work remains to create the conditions for the gift of joy to emerge. The candlelight had built around the Advent wreath and solstice was breaking into a light jog. The arms of Advent and winter solstice were outstretched, reaching towards embrace. We were so close to completing the circle. Our own sweet darkness yields in a protected and patient trust. Let us welcome the gift.

Wendell Berry’s “To Know the Dark” was the vessel for the Winter Solstice Lo-Fi & Hushed Practice Session. You can follow the link to peek at the entire poem.

Welcome this dark knowing into practice.
May we show up with expectation under its seamless cloak.
Advent rejoices within the crackles of reality.
Let us slow our pace to hear this joyful song.

Visit and post reflection to practice on Substack here.

Episode Show Notes

Poem for Lo-Fi & Hushed

Resources & People Mentioned

  • Wendell Berry
  • Evelyn Underhill

Drink Recommended

  • Egg nog

photo by Contemplify