Very often in life, and especially at this time in our collective history, the question arises regarding why things that seem like they could be so simple to execute, turn out to be difficult to accomplish and with many obstacles in the path. While this does not happen always, it often happens in exactly those areas in which we hope for change or have been waiting a long time to see something appear that is especially valued or needed.

The phenomenon which describes the difference between light-filled intentionality or desire and the suppressing movement of something that acts as a counterforce to this desire, preventing it from being fulfilled or successful, is called 'contraction'.

'Contraction' refers to a physical-energetic event that exists within spiritual reality that is based on the relationship between light and darkness and the 'spiritual physics' which define the ways in which these two energies relate. It also refers to the inner experience of limitation, frustration, and helplessness which can occur when one desires very much to accomplish something and is repeatedly deterred from doing so by circumstances in the environment. Examples include the desire to increase one's income, to have something that one has created or developed be received well by others, or to just have things go smoothly when trying to get help with a project or undertaking. In the presence of 'contraction', it often feels like nothing 'works', or only with great difficulty and after much effort.

Beloved ones, the pain of an extended period of contraction can be very great. It can give rise to repeatedly disappointed hopes, a chronic sense of frustration and helplessness, and a feeling that God is indifferent or has abandoned oneself. It can also give rise to jealousy or resentment toward others who seem to have an easier life. One of the things that is important to know about contraction is that although circumstantial events or particular people may seem to be causing it, the phenomenon of contraction is not based on circumstance but rather on a configuration of energies. These energies can create a sphere of constriction around an individual, a group, or a society, inhibiting forward movement in life or in part of life. They can also create constriction around the forward movement of light and life on the physical plane for a larger collection of people -- even for an entire planet. They cannot undo God's divine intention and movement to bless the whole of life which is consistently and eternally present, but they can make it appear that this movement is absent, effectively covering or concealing it.

Energies of light are spiritual forces that bring God's purposes more into view, creating greater love and harmony between people and within the environment.. However, when darker energies are in the ascendant, these energies operate as a counterforce and are drawn to the expanding light 'electro-magnetically' in order to restrict this expansion. This is particularly true at this time on the earth, for light's expansion has intensified greatly, and therefore the efforts of dark energies to suppress this expansion has also intensified.

One can look at this phenomenon in two ways -- impersonally, as an electromagnetic effect of Creation which causes an interaction between polarities (see below), resulting in light's capacity to attract darkness to itself as a magnet does. Or, it can also be looked at in terms of the 'will' aspect of this interaction, namely, the intentionality and desire of dark energies to prevent and inhibit the outward expansion of light. Both interpretations are true. What is also true is that the 'will' aspect of darkness is primarily directed toward the light itself, not toward oneself personally, though most of the time when involved in this kind of interaction, we experience it as being personally directed toward ourselves. The latter, however, happens much more rarely. For this reason it is useful to think of darkness as operating in relation to light, rather than as operating as a force designed to defeat us personally. The former attitude allows us to martial our inner strength so that we can try to hold steady and endure through time. The latter invites fear and paranoia.

The suppression of the expansion of light defines the nature and purpose of dark energies within the realm of Creation that are the source of contraction. Darkness came into being when the original Unity from which all emerged radiated outward, manifesting pairs of opposites. Before then, darkness had no effect and could have no effect on anything since it was part of a greater whole. Still, today, at the highest levels of spiritual vibration it has no effect. But once separated out into the duality of light-darkness, the latter became the force that within the realm of duality could act against Divine will. It is one of the purposes of spiritual evolution to reunite polarities and to reabsorb darkness within the greater wholeness of light.

Important to enduring through this cosmic phenomenon is, first, the ability to not personalize it, but to understand it within the larger picture of what is taking place on both the physical plane and on higher planes of energy and consciousness. In this drama, vast forces are at work -- the stuff out of which tales and legends are made. Secondly, to recognize that within this phenomenon, strength and a kind of heroism are being forged, not on the plane of physical battle but on the plane of durability, endurance, and steadfastness. Indeed, it often happens among servants of the light, that a training period is gone through in which steadfastness is honed in the presence of an extended period of contraction.

In the end, a period of contraction MUST give rise to something else, for light is inherently stronger than darkness and forms part of the greater whole in a way that darkness does not. Therefore, it behooves all those who are devoted to the purposes of light to remain faithful to their intentions even when these cannot manifest for long periods of time.

The power of contraction lies in its ability to cause those who serve God and the purposes of love to abandon the light. Its victory lies in the defeat of hope. However, if one were capable of holding to the truth of light's greater strength and the truth of God's presence even during periods of contraction, then light-filled hope and the belief in a positive outcome would act as a force to reverse the situation of contraction, allowing God's divine intentionality to bring into fruition purposes that are sanctified and holy and of benefit to the greatest number of people.