lights signify all that is good, positive, desir-

able and holy, triumphing over darkness,

or evil, or negativity. Today, more than ever
before, we need to consciously experience
Diwali every single day.
We sometimes ignore the darkness that
creeps into our being, often without any
warning when our thoughts turn negative
and start refecting in our words or actions,
they bring pain and sorrow to ourselves and
others, and change our reality to a negative
and unhappy one. We succumb to our lower
self. Human personality is a complex interplay
of conficting values, sensibilities, thoughts
and conduct. Diwali like most festivals is
an occasion to realise the good in
us and to banish the bad.
Demon King Ravana rep-
resents our lower self and
the qualities of Rama
represent our higher
self. The occasion of
Diwali reminds us that
we must conquer our
lower self with the
higher self. Within us
is a constant battle
between darkness and
light the dualities of
material existence arrogance
vs. humility; greed vs. generosity;
lust vs. love; anger vs. forgiveness; pride vs.
gratitude.
Diwali lights signify a virtuous path along
which our thoughts are pure, our words are
pleasant and positive, and our actions are al-
ways benefcial to ourselves, and to everyone
and everything around us. This is when we get
back in touch with our higher self, and allow
the brilliance and radiance of our souls to
shine through.
Darkness does not have an identity of its
own; it exists due to the lack of light. Similarly,
there is no evil in the absolute sense; it exists
only because sometimes the good remains
un-manifested in the humdrum of our pursuit
of worldly success.
In the words of Plato, Light is the
shadow of God. Knowledge, joy, strength,
generosity, love are the basic characteristics
of our soul. The veil of ignorance caus-
ing darkness in our lives hides them. The
festival of lights, Diwali, is thus our internal
victory in the fght against our own little evil
forces, and creation of peace and happi-
ness within as well as outwardly.
While its great to celebrate Diwali, it
is also important to experience Diwali.
As we clean our homes, let us cleanse
our minds and souls too. As we purge the
clutter in our houses, let us also purge our
old, unwanted, disturbing habits of anger,
jealousy, worry and hatred. As we
wear new and bright clothes, let
us also embrace desirable
qualities of peace, love,
bliss and joy.
This Diwali, instead
of burning crackers,
why not burn the
negativity within us
and purify our minds
and thoughts? As we
exchange sweets and
gifts, let us also exchange
pleasant words, good
wishes and blessings.
As we end this year and begin a
new one, let us also settle our old karmic
debts, unpleasant relationships and begin
our relationships and lives in new, positive
ways.
As we invoke Goddess Lakshmi, let us
also invoke all that is good and beautiful
in this world and within us, and make the
wealth of spiritual knowledge and qualities
an active part of our daily lives, for that will
take us a step closer to our ultimate goal of
heavenly perfection.
A single diya holds infnite beauty and
hope. This Diwali, let us light a single diya a
small fame of our own conscient awareness;
and connect with the sublime brilliance of
the Supreme Consciousness.
This is when we get back in touch with our higher self, and allow the
brilliance and radiance of our souls to shine through, writes Jaya Goyal
D
iwali the festival of lights and the start
of a brand new year for Hindus around
the world. In a country enriched by the
diverse cultural ethos and social mores,
this festival plays the important role of reminding
us of the underlying unity and oneness of humanity.
Celebrated across the globe, the festival com-
memorates the return of Lord Rama from his
14-year vanvaas, after vanquishing the demon-king,
Ravana. No other festival unites Indians around the
world, as does Diwali, one of the biggest festivals in
the world, marking the victory of good over evil.
As a kid, I looked forward to this time of the
year. Festivities would begin almost a month
before Diwali. Houses and streets were lit up
brightly, rangolis were made at the entrance
with fowers and colours to welcome guests,
friends and families would get together, wear new
clothes, distribute sweets and gifts, and burst
crackers in celebration.
On Diwali, Lord Ganesha, the auspicious one,
and Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth,
prosperity and good life, are worshipped; and their
aartee (musical paeans) sung and diyas (earthen
lamps) are lit to celebrate this beautiful, bright,
positive and joyous festival!
Amidst the fun and joy of festivities, it is vital
to contemplate the spiritual signifcance of this
beautiful festival of lights. Lighting of small diyas
flled with oil or ghee (clarifed butter) signifes
the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness,
knowledge over ignorance and absolute truth over
the unreal.
Diwali celebrates removing darkness, but
what is this darkness we want to remove? Why is
Diwali even more signifcant in todays world than
ever before? How does this Indian tradition ft
into our lives today?
Although a Hindu festival, Diwali is not about
religion. It is about knowing the truth of life. Diwali
the
Festival of
Lights
Celebrating
The essence of
Diwali is summed up
beautifully in this
Mantra from the
Upanishads:
Asato m sad
gamaya
Tamaso m jyotir
gamaya
Mrtyor m amrtam
gamaya
From Falsity
(Unreality), lead
me to the Truth
(Reality),
From Darkness (of
ignorance), lead me
to Light (of spiritual
knowledge),
From Mortality, lead
me to Immortality.
OCTOBER 2014 | yogal ife | 29
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28 | yogal ife | OCTOBER 2014