Dazzling Darkness
Monday 25 January 2027
19:00-21:00 (UK time)
Ann Conway-Jones
A strand of Christian mysticism views the quest for the divine as a journey into darkness, the further we go, the less we know.
In this session, we will explore this thread of ‘dazzling darkness’ imagery, rooted in Moses’ experiences on Mount Sinai, and reflect on its resonances today.
There is in God (some say)
A deep but dazling darkness …
The seventeenth century Welsh poet Henry Vaughan was here picking up on a strand of Christian mysticism which views the quest for the divine as a journey into darkness – the further we go, the less we know.
The paradoxical idea of divine dazzling darkness has deep roots, which can be traced back to the book of Exodus. There, the manifestation of God’s presence is often depicted as a dazzlingly bright and dangerous light, referred to as ‘glory’, surrounded by a protective cloud. After the giving of the Ten Commandments, Moses leaves the people behind and draws near to the ‘thick darkness’ of that protective cloud (Exodus 20:21).
We will explore the imagery inspired by Exodus 20:21, from the first-century Jewish exegete Philo of Alexandria, through the early Christian mystics Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius, to the medieval text Cloud of Unknowing. And we will see how one enigmatic verse from scripture can spark off ideas which resonate down the centuries.
There will be plenty of time to reflect on how the idea of a journey into ‘dazzling darkness’ fits with our own experiences of life.
This course will involve:
Discussion, Speaker, Zoom Session
Accessibility info:
On the booking form, there is a chance for you to let us know about any accessibility or communication adjustments that will enable you to participate more fully in the course. Automated Zoom closed captions are available for all live sessions but if you feel you require more accurate closed captioning please email us directly in addition to booking.
See more courses in this category: Spirituality & Retreats
