There is something very beautiful about Diwali, the Festival of Light, taking place on the new moon, the darkest night, when the moon disappears from view. It is a celebration of light emerging in the midst of darkness.
The invitation to celebrate the light feels particularly important right now, as the energies around us feel quite heavy.
Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, wisdom over ignorance, and dharma over adharma. It reminds us to cultivate and strengthen our relationship with right living, and to focus our attention on the true nature of reality as pure consciousness, rather than on the myriad distortions, illusions, and density all around us.
This New Moon takes place in the nakshatra of Vishakha, whose presiding deities are Indra and Agni. Associated with power, illumination, and the transformative force of sacred fire, Vishakha carries the symbolism of focused intent and the determination to reach a meaningful goal.
There is something fitting about this symbolism during Diwali. Just as a flame requires tending to remain alive, our inner light requires conscious attention, focus, and commitment. It is important now to remember that we must be active participants in our own victory, withdrawing our faith from the lies, stories, and mental loops that perpetuate suffering.
A single diya, a small oil lamp, may seem insignificant against the vastness of darkness. And yet, thousands of these little flames illuminate entire cities during Diwali. Perhaps this is a reminder that we need not underestimate the light we carry or the significance of what we contribute to the world around us.
The lighting of the external flame is symbolic of our conscious choice to move towards victory over the energies that seek to keep us stuck, unmotivated, and disempowered. The flame serves as a reminder that at any time, we can stoke our inner fire through devotion, healthy choices, and rightful actions. We have the power to align ourselves with goodness and truth from the inside out, because we say so!
The greater invitation of this time is to deepen our experiential knowing that even as we tend to our bodies and minds with great care and love, we are not that. We are eternal life. We are a spark of the Divine flame, pure consciousness and boundless light.
This remembering brings a greater harmony to our experience of duality and loosens the grip of attachment to this life and all that it brings, allowing us to see all things from a higher vantage point.
May this ancient Upanishadic chant be our guide! May the inner flame of awareness burn bright! May you come to know yourself as eternal life!
Asato mā sad gamaya
Lead us from the unreal to the real
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Lead us from darkness to the light
Mrityor mā amritam gamaya
Lead us from death to immortality