Part 1 of 3 · The Principle of Light series
When we meet something that is not as we wish, most of us react the same way: find what is wrong and try to get rid of it. This is very natural, yet it often leaves us tired while things grow no brighter. This essay tells the story of a dark room, to explore the Principle of Light with you: instead of chasing away the darkness, light a lamp.
The dark room
Take a pen, draw a rectangle and fill it in completely. This is a room sunk in darkness. Now ask yourself: how can this room become bright?
Light and darkness are a pair of opposites: where there is light there is no darkness, and where there is darkness there is no light. So to brighten the room, there are only two ways:
- Way 1: Take the darkness out. Try to scoop, sweep or push the darkness out of the room.
- Way 2: Bring the light in. Light a lamp in the middle of the room.
The first way sounds reasonable, but try it and you will find it very hard. Darkness has no shape to grasp; you can never remove all of it, and even when you believe you have, the room is still not necessarily bright.
The second way is completely different. A room that has been dark for a thousand years needs only one struck match, and the darkness immediately draws back. Wherever light appears, that place is bright at once. It is certain, and there is no waiting.
Darkness does not need to be chased away. When light appears, darkness withdraws on its own.
Three differences
Placing the two ways side by side, we see three differences:
- Effort: taking the darkness out takes great effort, with uncertain results. Lighting a lamp takes one right action.
- Certainty: removing all the darkness does not guarantee a bright room. Where there is light, there is certainly brightness.
- Speed: light brightens instantly, no matter how long the darkness has been there.
There is one more thing to remember: darkness is not destroyed; it is only covered by light. When the lamp grows dim, darkness flows back in. So what matters is not only lighting the lamp, but keeping it burning.
The darkness and light of daily life
In daily life, “darkness” is the troubles we meet every day: a habit that does not serve us, a strained relationship, a worry about money, a tired body. Most of us spend our whole lives “taking the darkness out”: trying to quit bad habits, trying to avoid conflict, trying to cut back, trying to fight against something.
These efforts deserve respect. But if we stop at removing things, we easily fall into a loop: one problem is solved, and another arrives. The light in a human life is the good we actively nourish: understanding, peace, kindness, ability and health. As these grow, many troubles shrink on their own, without a fight.
Change the question
The Principle of Light invites us to change our question. Instead of asking, “What do I need to get rid of?” ask, “What do I need to light?” A few everyday examples:
- Instead of trying to quit scrolling your phone before bed, light the habit of reading ten pages of a book. When you have something to look forward to, the phone loses its pull.
- Instead of scolding your child for misbehaving, light words of recognition whenever your child does something good. What is illuminated grows.
- Instead of only cutting expenses in worry, light a new skill that creates value. Abundance comes from both sides.
- Instead of avoiding difficult people, light peace within yourself. When your heart is steady, others’ words sway you less.
Lighting my own lamp of physical health
In the past, I lacked confidence in my physical health. Whenever exercise came up, I remembered my school days: in PE classes, I would be out of breath or turn pale after just a few minutes of activity. Only when my Teachers guided me did I deeply understand how important the Body is. Whatever a person’s dream, large or small, it can only be reached through a healthy body.
Someone once shared that when we have our health, we are free to dream of everything — beauty, wealth, fame, traveling the world, a harmonious family — but for someone who has lost their health, sometimes all they want is to be healthy again. From then on, I decided to light the lamp of physical health for myself.
I learned what healthy people eat, how they sleep and rest, and how they live day to day; and especially, I observed and learned from the inner life and good relationships of people who stay healthy. Through my Teachers’ guidance, I also came to see that, in truth, every one of us has a chance to be healthy if we do four things well: keep a balanced, cheerful inner life; maintain a healthy lifestyle that balances work and rest; eat well; and move in a fitting way.
So whenever I think about caring for my health, I review these four things and keep improving them step by step. Thanks to this, the darkness around health — illness, my own constitution — no longer shapes my thinking and actions.
Practice for today
- Write down one “darkness” you have been trying to chase away for a long time.
- Ask yourself: which lamp, if lit, would make this darkness shrink on its own?
- Choose one small action to light that lamp today, and one way to keep it burning every day.
Reflection question: Today, what will I light, instead of what will I fight?
Frequently asked questions
Does the Principle of Light mean ignoring problems?
No. We still look problems in the eye; we simply choose a wiser way to resolve them: nourishing the good until it is strong enough that the problem withdraws, rather than only fighting against it.
Is it ever necessary to “take the darkness out”?
Yes. For things that are clearly harmful and urgent, we need to stop right away. But after stopping, light something good in the empty space, so the darkness has no place to return.
Why does the darkness come back even after I have lit a lamp?
Because darkness is only covered, not gone. When the lamp grows weak, darkness flows back. Turn the good into a daily habit, so the lamp is always refilled with oil.
Where can I read Part 2?
Part 2 explores the four areas of human life and the seven lamps of complete wealth.
The Principle of Light series
- Part 1: Light a Lamp Instead of Chasing the Darkness (you are reading)
- Part 2: The Four Areas of Human Life
- Part 3: The House of Seven Lamps
This essay is an English rendering of the original Vietnamese article on Chuyện Bên Mâm Cơm.