Darkness, in George's vision, wasn't simply the absence of light — it was the pull of Māyā, the Sanskrit word for illusion, the veil that distracts us from our true purpose. Included in his landmark 1970 solo album "All Things Must Pass," "Beware of Darkness" was George's gentle but urgent reminder that spiritual growth requires vigilance.
Awareness is the first act of protection. In the song, George warned us about the temptations of everyday illusions like greed and materialism. In the philosophy that shaped this song, Māyā doesn't announce itself. It seeps in softly, disguising distraction as desire and confusion as wisdom.
Remaining anchored to the light means choosing spiritual practice over materialism. George had seen the Beatles' world — wealth, fame, adulation — fail to deliver the inner peace he desired. His answer wasn't to retreat from the world, but to move through it with spiritual discernment.
Knowing yourself is the key to warding off the forces of darkness. George believed that those who cultivate inner clarity become harder to deceive. "Beware of Darkness" is not a song of fear; it is a song of freedom. Each small act of awareness is a step toward the light George spent his life seeking.
Today, I will focus on one temptation that tries to pull me away from my best self, and I will consciously choose the light instead.
What illusion has been quietly pulling your attention away from what truly matters? And what one practice could help you stay more anchored in the light?
