Thursday, January 6, 2011

Jan 6: Let Some Light In

The best compliment I've ever gotten came from an adorable 4 yr. old boy named Gabriel.  As I helped him take off his shoes, he looked up at me, smiled, and said, "You have lights in your eyes." I'd been told that once before, and I'd noticed in others.  Some people, some times, have a sparkle from within.  Many faiths refer to light as a symbol for knowledge, truth, purity, and enlightenment.  Siddha Yogi recognize a ball of light at the center of the soul called the "blue pearl." Buddhists believe that all beings are inspired with their own divine light.  Christians refer to Christ as the "light of the world."  Themes of light and dark are common in literature, art, and movies.  One that comes to mind is the light of Elendil in The Lord of the Rings, a light to be used "when all other lights go out."
In my bedroom are some heavy curtains and these obnoxious rods that slide right out of their grooves when touched.  So we often keep them closed all the time.  In fact, when we go to bed at night, we take a moment to check that they are pulled tightly over the windows, so that a stray ray of light won't pierce our face in the morning.  But today, after making the bed and saying my morning prayer, but before I started meditating, I opened them.  As they usually do, they fell.  But I fixed them and pinned them to the side, letting in some natural light.  At first I thought the bedroom would have a stroke.  "What's going on here?" it must have been thinking.  But then it took a deep breath and we noticed it looked quite different in daylight, kinda beautiful.
In our lives we tend to cover up our own light, whether through fear, despair, or following dark paths.  So what can we do do let our "little light" shine?  Try meditating daily (with natural sunlight on you if possible) and focus on all the blessings in your life.  Then try to hold that gratitude inside you throughout the day.  Imagine a light in every cell of your body, shining out through your eyes, your smile, the tips of your fingers and toes.  Increase your own search for knowledge, truth, purity, and enlightenment.  Let in some light, and see what grows.

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