The Light and the Dark Struggle

black and white wolf tale

Many people have shared this traditional Native American legend filled with wisdom:

There was once a native Elder who came to realize that he had two wolves fighting inside of him.
The dark wolf was mean spirited, angry, fearful and selfish.
The light wolf was noble, honest, loving and kind.
A boy once asked of him “Which wolf usually wins?” He replied, “It depends on which one I feed.”

I shared this story the other day and asked the question “What can we do to stop feeding the dark wolf and nourish the white wolf?”

What came up was surprising. I had always thought of our inner emotions being the key to which wolf we are feeding. When we are angry, jealous or resentful, we feed the dark. When we are loving and grateful, we feed the light.

But its not as simple as this.

Like life, its more that black or white.

I believe that the biggest feeder of the dark wolf comes from the environment we live in nowadays. It feeds the dark insecurity within us. It ignites fear and anger. It triggers old wounds and deep insecurities. It fans the waves of violence and retribution.  Whether we are surrounded by negative angry people, or are listening to negative politicians, or are watching live footage of violence …  this is the food that feeds our dark wolf.

It is mostly unconscious, and perhaps habit … but I’m sure you know it is so.

So now, you can choose.

What can you stop doing that is feeding the dark wolf? For me it was to turn off the t.v. and make a conscious decision about what I listen to and who I choose to be around. I have become aware of which wolf I am feeding, and my life has changed for the better.

Namaste

 

 

34 responses to “The Light and the Dark Struggle”

  1. o mükemmel yüreğinize emeğinize sağlık

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  2. jeanne.myers66@gmail.com Avatar
    jeanne.myers66@gmail.com

    Wise! Sent from my iPhone

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you dear Jeanne 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Yes, there are many ways to feed the good, and environment (inside and out) is very important.

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    1. Thank you Brad 💖

      Liked by 2 people

  4. A wonderful reminder, dear Val, of how to strengthen the light in our lives. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you dear Jet 💐🙏🏻💖

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I love that Native legend. It is so very true. Just like what you put out, you get back.

    I can’t watch the news anymore. I won’t, actually. The news filters in anyway but at least I am not bombarded. I choose to let the light in whenever I can.

    Wonderful post, Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Dale. 💐🙏🏻💖 We have to make choices that feel right to our inner being and nourish our soul.

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      1. That is for sure! 💞

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  6. Perhaps, out of compassion, we might feed the wolf to keep it alive, knowing it can harm us.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Sounds like the ego mind is having some fun!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Perhaps! Fun might be an indicator of joy…

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It depends … don’t you think. Questions like this stir up guarded responses and early childhood hurts.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Yes, it definitely depends, and I was thinking of my own childhood which I recall as wondrous, joyful and FUN! So, in a way, it is easier for me to say such than others…

            Liked by 1 person

  7. Powerful words Val, it is indeed our diet of this world. My tv barely gets turned on anymore and has been replaced with a little music instead. I create my world instead 🤗❤️🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Creating the world around us that we want to interact with … priceless for our health and well being. Thank you Mark 💝

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  8. Love this native legend. Great reminder to feed the good wolf. Thank you ☺☺☺

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    1. Thank you Michelle 💝

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Sharon Lawrence Avatar
    Sharon Lawrence

    Thank you for the wisdom and reminder. And the light you shine brightly.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We all have this inner struggle … and when we find our way back to the light of our inner truth, we are able to choose and move forward 🌸🙏🏻💝

      Liked by 1 person

  10. YES!
    Thank you for sharing this message Val! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for being here Paul 💖

      Like

  11. Yes!!! What we put into our minds may haunt those hallowed halls forever.  I choose to jealously guard the entrance to mine.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well done Nancy. Guarding what matters is good trouble❣️

      Like

  12. I’ve shared that legend in the past too, Val. I need to share it with myself these days! I need to do more breathing for sure. Thanks for the reminder about what is within my control. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Diana💖 We all needed reminders when the external word gets chaotic and unnerving.

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  13. This is one of my favorite native American stories; there is so much there to take in and think about. It is interesting; I had never thought about how this battle within is so affected by the battles we see in our environment. It shocked me when I read your words, as they are accurate. Insecurity, fear, and anger definitely seeps in with our interaction with the world (the news, the endless battles, either political or other), and no matter how hard we think we can handle it… it affects us, all food that feeds the dark wolf, as you say. Step away, enjoy nature, and the good that is also out there 24/7 is the answer. Thank you, Val, for your wise words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Randall for your kind reflections 💐. The universe keeps opening up new opportunities to see afresh, learn and shift perspectives.
      What once was a given is no longer the case.
      What we take for granted offers so much more… or less…
      I learned about how the external world can mirror our internal world…and vice versa. Until we become aware, we are forever at the mercy of what we experience around us.
      Be aware, step away, enjoy nature and nourish our essential being, keeps us in balance.

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  14. I love this old story. And I still find it helpful to say OK, which wolf are you feeding?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wisdom is always worth repeating… and also evolves along with our understanding. Thank you for being here Bela 💐

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