Twilight

Twilight is the hour of dissolution. Sunlight does not simply disappear. Sunlight dissolves, and with it the clear shapes of trees, the contours of the land, the harsh outlines of buildings. In cities, artificial lights sally forth as if to battle twilight and coming darkness, as if to stave off an imagined offense. In traditional Jaina practice, no lights appear at twilight, for darkness is not unwelcome. “Do not hurt the darkness,” goes the saying. “The night is beautiful.”