Most people understand that suffering and sorrow--whether illness, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job--are inevitable parts of every life. They are truly universal experiences, and yet few of us comprehend the ways in which suffering can give rise to growth. In this thoughtful, compassionate book, Kathleen Brehony reveals the transformative power of suffering and shows how to turn grief into an emotionally and psychologically strengthening experience. In relating the stories of people who have endured trials and consequently found deeper spiritual and psychological meaning in their lives, After the Darkest Hour illustrates the universal nature of suffering and the opportunity it creates for connecting with others. Drawing on a rich selection of mythological and religious stories from many faiths, Brehony provides a historical and cultural context that enriches the meaning of those deeply personal tales and explores the qualities-psychological, behavioral and spiritual-of those who have turned periods of pain and suffering into opportunities for growth and renewal. After the Darkest Hour offers practical advice, strategies, and exercises that will help approach the difficult situations you face in a more conscious, enlightened way, as well as specific suggestions for creating personal healing rituals. With Kathleen Brehony showing the way, you can find the blessing and challenges in suffering, and meet even the darkest moments of your life with courage and wisdom. “[T]his book...succeeds where others might fail in its practicality.” ― Booklist “Kathleen Brehony writes about a...human dynamic that helps us achieve truth and clarity in our lives. It's a must read!” ― Robert Urich, actor “Sure to become a classic treatment of suffering.” ― Kirkus Reviews Kathleen Brehony, Ph.D. , is a Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, personal coach, and public speaker who has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions. She is the author of Awakening at Midlife and Ordinary Grace . She divides her time between Virginia and California. After the Darkest Hour How Suffering Begins the Journey to Wisdom By Kathleen A. Brehony Owl Books (NY) Copyright © 2000 Kathleen A. Brehony All right reserved. ISBN: 9780805064360 Chapter One   I was once conducting a group therapy session in a psychiatrichospital. The participants did not have long-term, serious mental ill-nesses but were generally functional people who had been experienc-ing a difficult time--often as a result of a significant loss in their livessuch as a divorce, the death of a loved one, or a similar event that hadknocked the pins out from under them and sent them reeling. In short,they were people who'd been overwhelmed by suffering.      "I know one of the secrets of life," I said to the group that day."Really!" they declared, and I could hear them scooting their chairscloser to mine. They sat stone silent and wide-eyed, not wanting to missa second of this self-proclaimed wisdom. "If you only live long enough,"I said, "you will lose everything." There was a brief silence as the wordssunk in, then the sound of screeching chairs cut through the air. Theywere falling all over themselves as they scrambled to put as much dis-tance between us as possible. "We're already having a hard time," onewoman yelled. "Why are you telling us this?! .... Because it's true," Isaid. "And because in understanding this you can learn to live better."     Because something is true does not mean that it is easy to understand,accept, or even to recognize. As with the stereogram, the hiddenimages of life's truths are there for us to see, but they often elude us. Wecan almost make out the hidden picture, then the colors blur and theimage is lost again. When something is both true and painful, we havean even harder time acknowledging and accepting it. For in these caseswe often do our best not to let the truth come to full light in hopes oftrying to avoid the pain we anticipate it will bring. Figuratively, we allwant to screech our chairs away from the notion that suffering is instore for every one of us. In fact, many of us choose to live our wholelives trying, in vain, to escape that truth. "There is nothing there!" wesay, staring at the picture of life around us in which others are sufferingloss and pain, smug in our conviction. "You may be suffering, but thatdoesn't mean I will!" we can think in our fortunate times, breathing asigh of relief as we glance nervously over our shoulder. But the truththat suffering is a part of life remains, and only when we let that truth inwill we be able to look beyond the suffering to its meaning. To see theimage in the stereogram we must shift our perspective. To see and acceptthe truth about suffering requires a similar shift in consciousness.     First, in order to realize the fundamental truths about suffering,we must first understand that everyone suffers. And second, we mustaccep