YOU ARE THE LIGHT
If we close our eyes and turn our attention outwards, there is darkness. Any effort to turn outwards is the mind’s doing. But if our attention is turned inwards, there is light. This inward look with closed eyes is a spiritual exercise that is not dictated by the mind. As such, the mind can neither register it nor know it. That is the reason why many do not notice this natural, profound state which is within our reach at all times.
💧︎
The Vedas, the Hindu sacred scriptures, adore the Self within each one of us, as more brilliant than millions of suns. Sages confirm and affirm this truth. Man’s mind refuses to believe it, for it is not graspable by its tongs-the intellect, and the sensations received through the five senses. Sat sang helps us to go beyond our mind and its dictates. It helps us to turn eagerly to the scriptures and their living symbols, the sages and saints, for light on the Knowledge that liberates.
💧︎
Bhagavan Sri Ramana, the perfect jnani who lived in our midst till very recently, says out of his own experience, “Pure light is consciousness. The subject, the cognizer, functions both as light and objects seen. If the light, i.e., the subject or consciousness is beheld, then, no objects will be seen. Pure light alone will remain.” This is in consonance with what the scriptures say.
💧︎
This light is not a mystery. It is always there within all of us. Bhagavan constantly advised us to turn our attention on this light within, by saying, ‘Dive within, plunge within”. Jesus Christ said, “Be a light unto yourself”. You are that light only, the agni of Arunachala, the jnana of Bhagavan. When we close our eyes and look within, there is a glow that comes neither from outside nor from inside. It is the brilliance of the light of the Self.
💧︎
Since we are not accustomed to it, initially, it will look dim and dull. On prolonged attention to it, the light will glow, and most naturally. This is not a miracle! Practice though, is essential to focus our attention inwards and BE the light. Do not imagine a light. Also, do not ignore seeing the light, assuming it to be one’s imagination. We have to be most attentive and inwardly totally alert to see this happening. This is a spiritual experience – is not a thing of the intellect and the mind. The mind and intellect are the medium but not at all the source of it.
This light, unlike a flame, has no form. Just be aware of the luminosity pervading your being. You are the Light.
💧︎