“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.”
The word Deepawali originates from Sanskrit words; Deepa, which means light and Avali, which means row. Thus, it is also known as the Festival of Lights.
Celebrated on the darkest night of the month of Kartik, it symbolises victory of wisdom over ignorance. Diwali brings joy, light and smile on every face. This festival also stands for the fact that if any aspect of our life is in darkness, we are given an opportunity to light the row of lamps and brighten it up. Diwali also tells us that it is necessary to strike a balance between darkness and light.
Every lamp lit on Diwali symbolises the main aspects of human nature like love, strength, peace and bringing light in the lives of others. All these virtues are present in every individual, we just forget to acknowledge it and light the lamp of wisdom.
Drop issues of the past and worries of the future. Exchange of sweets and gifts on Diwali helps in renewal of friendship and creating an environment of happiness, which results in strengthening the bond.
Every individual should try to spread the sweetness of happiness and wisdom to each member of the society. The more extended our service, the better our lives will be. Diwali being the Festival of Lights is incomplete if we are unable to light the life of others.
Everyone is gifted with enough resources to share with others. It doesn’t matter how small the contribution is. True celebration lies in sharing. As they say, it is in giving that we receive.
The rituals (puja) performed on Diwali is a way to show our thankfulness to the Divine. According to tradition, we keep our wealth in front of Ma Lakshmi and say our prayers. By doing this, a sense of abundance is felt as well as created. If one feels lack of abundance, you end up creating that in your lives while concentrating on abundance creates abundance in all spheres of our lives. A feeling of abundance helps us be at peace. And peace brings depth to the celebration, and brings in the feeling of progress and prosperity.
This Diwali along with lighting diyas, illuminate your inner self. The light is within you. You just have to spark it bright with your wisdom.
Try this meditation exercise: Sit quietly with your eyes closed. Withdraw yourself from the outer world. Concentrate your mind on your heart chakra. Fill it with bright pink light. Bright,very bright. The light should be bright enough to fill your soul. Hold on to it for few minutes. Enjoy the presence of the Divine merging with your inner self. Let the oneness illuminate your mind, heart, body and soul. All the lights and brightness cannot be compared with the bright light of your soul. Now, slowly open your eyes and bask in the eternal bliss of the soul.
For many, Diwali comes just once a year, but for me Diwali (rows of light) is celebrated every moment of every day. Wisdom is required at each and every step. Igniting the lamp of wisdom is the only way to give rise to a new dawn.
So, celebrate Diwali by lighting the lamp of wisdom and creating a peaceful environment both within and outside.
The writer is a life coach, holistic healer and also conducts workshops on Law of Attraction
