New Beginnings

Tonight the moon is only 1 percent full. It's just a sliver of a moon in the sky. Tomorrow at 4:27am EST we will have a new moon. This will mark the beginning of the Indian Year which is celebrated tonight as Deepavali. It is always curious to me how this celebration is about lighting lamps and candles just before the moon turns completely dark.

In this darkness the lights are more apparent. Even the smallest light shines brightly. I remember a dream I had once. I was in a cave that was so dark I could not even see myself. Then as I looked deep into the velvety blackness of the cave I saw the tiniest flame emanating soft rays of blue and golden light. As I looked at this beautiful light I could hear part of the refrain of a song being sung over and over again. I just stayed there looking at the beautiful flame and listening to that enthralling song for some time until I woke up.

I realized then that I had heard that song before so I got up and looked for it. It was a song that my Teacher had sung in Hindi. That part of the refrain that I heard reads:

"O mother Devotion your power is amazing! "

The rest of the song talks about how Devotion to that which we hold highest carries you through everything and brings all kinds of success. 

As we move through this last part of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, may the Devotion to that which you hold highest carry you now and always through all endings and all new beginnings.

Blessings 

Jorge Nihal