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Photo: Sun rise on the road in New Mexico
Happy Winter Solstice!
Light magic
A hush comes over the crowd as the house lights dim. I glance at my six and ten year old nieces and see their eyes widen as the stage lights illuminate the acrobats, magicians, and dancers poised to welcome us with the opening number. One moment we are swept up with the thrill of high flying aerialists weaving through radiant beams. Next, we are momentarily suspended in the glittering quiet wonderment of snow falling inside the theater. Through the two acts of the holiday variety show we are invited to lean into the warmth of fantastical fireside imaginings. The power of creative arts is limitless and inspiring!
Delights in the dark of winter
Nightfall of winter solstice approaches. I’m reminded of my childhood in Hong Kong, gathering with family for our traditional celebratory hotpot to mark the longest night of the year. My mom would set an electric hotpot in the middle of the table. The delicious vapor from the bubbling broth would swirl in the glow of the simple hanging light fixture. There were no theatrical tricks, but it felt like magic. What could be better than three generations around the table? What an exciting novelty for me to be able to “cook” at the table! This act of gathering with the intention to share and care allowed my eight year old self to experience deep kinship. These marvelous memories coiled in the swirling hotpot steam from 40 years ago remind me the simplest joys set our hearts alight with the unity of community.
Photo: Sunset view from Isla Coralina, Rosario Islands, Columbia.
Guru, remover of darkness
In the ancient scripture Guru Gita, the term “Guru” is explained as the ‘remover of darkness, who reveals the light of the heart.’ The term ‘Guru-Shishya’ refers to the teacher-student dynamic where the disciple learns from the teacher who is well established on the path of enlightenment. This semester in my ancient texts class I sometimes got confused with the multiple meanings and nuanced phrasings of complex concepts found in the various source texts. I felt like I was stumbling amongst shadows of uncertainty and interpretation. Thankfully, the best teachers make that which appears to be obscure simpler by holding forth enough light by which one can find their way.
My teacher Dr. Rajesha offered this simple reminder,
“Don’t mistake the filament in the light bulb for the cause of the light. The electricity is what causes the light, the filament is how we see the light.”
In this metaphor, our body-mind complex is the filament. The electricity is the Atman, the pure consciousness that animates and shines through us. Another teacher, Subhash Kak, provides another example of light as metaphor in the Vedas, the ancient texts that are the foundation of Yoga.
“Yoga is the union between the manas (the mind) and the Atman. Atman is something transcendent, like a light, not ordinary light, a transcendent light which illuminates the contents of the mind. This is the heart of Vedanta.”
Photo: receiving the healing warmth of winter sun on the trail in Shenandoah
Atman, transcendental light
The roots of yoga ask us to recognize the transcendental light within ourselves. As we come to know it in ourselves, we can perceive it in each other. My inner child was captivated by the carnival of creativity on display at the holiday show. The budding wisdom of my grownup heart recognized deep joy running through me simply because I was experiencing the artistry together with my sister and her precious girls.
As we walk through these long nights, enjoy the moon’s silvery glow, the twinkle of the stars, and the soft amber of candle flame. Let these visual illuminations remind you to look to your inner source of light.
The invitation is to turn your awareness inward. Rest easy with the origin of the light inside yourself. No matter how elaborate or simple your personal circumstances may be, the source of the light is the same. The light within me sees the light within you. I bow to you and choose love. Namaste.
Winter Solstice 2024-2025
