Shining the Light Within
I saw this picture of the Quadirikiri Cave in Aruba and it reminded me of the beauty of shining the light within.
During the last two years as COVID upended our lives, many of us found ourselves with a resource that previously had seemed in short supply – free time. Negative reactions to the disruption aside, the free time afforded the opportunity to accomplish long-stalled projects and to reprioritize personal interests. For others it offered the opportunity to shine the light within.
I have long viewed time as my most precious resource. After all, you cannot earn it, buy it, borrow it, steal it or even save it. Our lifetime has an expiration date which is unknown. So, for me, when circumstances change and time becomes more bountiful, I consider it a bonanza. Speaking of time, you may have noticed that this blog post comes a day late. Apologies – but time and I have been a little twisted recently which is why you received last month’s posts on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday rather than the promised 2nd and 4th Tuesday. 😊 But, back to the use of time and the Quadirikiri Cave.
We hear about the advantages of meditation but unless you have experienced them, it may be difficult to prioritize in your busy life. How can I just stop, rest and sit in stillness when there is so much I must do? is something I hear a lot. Often followed by, and even when I do, how do I silence my mind? The best answer to both is that sitting in silence is the best way to shine the light within.
If your mind is racing ahead you may already be wondering what would be the point? That is where the image of the concurrent beauty and emptiness of the Quadirikiri Cave comes in. I suggest as a small test that you consider these few points and then sit in silence for just five minutes:
When we silence the chattering of our mind, we can truly hear what is in our heart and connect to the purity that is the soul.
Serenity and tranquility are fuel for your soul to connect and express its divinity.
Joy, peace and love await your discovery in the ocean of silence that ebbs within. You can stop searching.
After you have meditated on the beauty of the cave, ask yourself how you feel when the five minutes is up. Did the endless chatter or worry stop or at least slow down? Are you calmer or more relaxed? Do you notice any positive impact? Do you wish I had suggested allowing 15 minutes for the exercise? If you answer yes to even one of these questions, then try it again.
Do not jump from five minutes to one hour in one sitting. Increase the time incrementally. Allow the joy to build. Apply the same caution that you do as you begin a physical exercise program. You would never jump to one hour on the second day after only five minutes the prior day. Your muscles would hate you and you would increase the likelihood of giving up before you really begin.
If you develop a meditation practice, you will more deeply connect to your inner core over time. You will find it more accepting, understanding, forgiving and loving than your ego personality. You will discover the beauty of the inner you, is as much of a surprise as the beauty of the light streaming in the Quadirikiri Cave. Shinning the light within takes prioritizing yourself, which is both well-deserved and essential as you work to learn to love yourself.
While the distractions of daily life are engaging and addicting so is the beauty and solemnity of your inner world. Give yourself the gift of time so that you might shine the light on the beauty of your inner core and revel in your divine essence.
A line from a daily quote from one of my favorite websites of the Brahma Kumaris sums it up.
If you can learn to go to this centre, peace will be your companion, positivity your partner, and you will be able to chill out in one second, anywhere, anytime.
Enjoy, as you discover the personal benefits of shining the light within. . .
Joanne
