Diwali is a great time of celebration. It is often described as the ‘festival of lights’, and the idea of light as a symbol of enlightenment and new life occurs in many cultures and religions—the lights on the Christmas tree, for example, or the festoons of light which are an integral part of the celebration of Ramzan. There may be darkness all around, but the lights offer hope, happiness and joy.
Festivals such as these punctuate our lives and serve to remind us of the deeply spiritual—in a life that can sometimes be overtaken by the ordinary. They awaken meaning and purpose in our lives and teach us to look towards greater, higher and nobler things. They remind us that even when it feels that the light of the soul is almost extinguished, God can come into our life and re-light our lights, reawaken the spirit and renew our spirit.
All of us are touched in some way or other by negativity, and we are yearning for the light, to be free once more of the mental and spiritual prisons that we have created for ourselves. We long for the light of truth once again. In reality there is no darkness, only the absence of light. The way to the light is not to be ‘out there’, but to go within.
Before the advent of extravagant electrical displays, the lamp or ‘deepak’ was a simple clay vessel with a white cotton wick. The wick is fuelled by oil, and for as long as the oil is replenished, the wick will keep burning brightly. In the same way, we are reminded that this body of ‘mud’ is simply a container for the soul. More important is what it contains, the real self—the soul.
Soul consciousness means to be in the light. For a person on a spiritual path, the daily practice of ‘soul consciousness’ is a must. Spiritual beings focus on soul matters, meaning that they care more about what goes on inside their spirit than the outer world of distractions.
A graceful and easy spirit radiates a light and vibrant energy which expresses a latent and profound wisdom from within. The Almighty lights our light, but it is up to us to keep it burning by maintaining the fuel—our spiritual practice and our effort in bringing truth, goodness and compassion and service for others into our everyday lives.
There are so many challenges and storms that come during our lifetime which try to blow out our light! Those storms come to all of us at different times in our life. But it is the one who is able to weather those storms and still keeps a smile on their face that we can call an enlightened soul who gains victory as the storms pass.
It takes only one light to… light up the world!
Aruna Ladva, author of several books on self-development, is a Rajyoga meditation teacher who has taught this ancient art of meditation in many countries.