It takes that kind of confidence and energy to have the courage to marry, raise a family, and look to the future. But as we get older it takes more and more psychic and spiritual energy to avoid the fact that we are going to die. The author of the book, Ernest Becker, suggests that if we could find a way to accept the reality of our own death and be at peace with the idea, then all that energy could be directed to living, in this life. There is much darkness in this life. What St. John calls us to recognize is that the darkness that spawns evil in some resides in all.
Darkness is part of being human.
Depression is a normal part of living a while and paying attention. The darkness of insecurity, of anger, of fear are all real possibilities for each of us. Thus we are each capable of the evil thoughts, words and deeds that can be manifested by these inner demons. But into this inevitable human darkness, says St. John, the light shines. Picture a deserted warehouse at midnight, darkness, nothing but darkness.