I once saw bright light in meditation. The light was so bright, it was as if I were facing a thousand suns. It is astonishing that so much light is within us!
Reflecting on Eesha’s closing questions, I realized that it is that light that compels me to meditate, to recite Shri Guru Gita, and to do other spiritual practices every day. The light wants to shine forth and supports me in removing anything that gets in the way. I also see this light as the light of love. That must be why something inside of me wants to say and do nice things to others.
My father gave me my name, which means “radiating like the sun.” After I met Gurumayi, embodying the meaning of my name became a possibility. Now it is my lifetime goal
Washington, United States
Having received shaktipat and the grace of my Guru, I know that I carry the Guru’s light within me. I know that this love uplifts me every day, and enters others in each of my interactions.
I experience this as I share a smile with a passerby on my walk or while waiting in line at the grocery store. I try to spread this light in various ways, such as by making a point of wishing a good morning to someone who may feel no one notices them. Or by expressing appreciation to others instead of just thinking it—for example, to the helpful librarian in my local library or to the grocery employee who pauses their task to walk me to the location of something I can’t find.
It is through these small gestures throughout my day that I uplift myself and others with light and love.
California, United States
Each morning when I meditate, I repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. As the mantra purifies my being, my mental chatter calms, and I often have the experience that there is a profound light present within me. This light is at once still and yet endlessly vibrating, pulsating with vivacity and peace. As I sit with this light within, I begin to have the awareness that I am that light. My worries and fears fade, and I feel at peace.
Throughout my workday and during the time I spend with family and friends, I take the opportunity to briefly pause, repeat the mantra or take a breath, and ground myself again in the endlessly playful pulsation of that light. What a blessing to have a Guru to lead me to the light of God within my very own self!
Pennsylvania, United States
After my morning meditation practice, I often look for and appreciate the light shimmering in plants, birds, and smiling human faces as I go about my daily activities. Sometimes, I feel as if I am wearing a headlamp in the form of the inner light generated by my meditation. This light illuminates my mind. I have discovered that the manifestation of this light sometimes takes discrete forms that enable me to feel the intimate presence of God.
Rodez, France
I am deeply honored to know that Gurumayi sees me as a kiran, “a ray or beam of light.” And I am moved by Eesha’s thought-provoking questions.
It is when I look back on my sadhana that I can most easily recognize how Baba’s gift of shaktipat initiation brought transformative light into my life—revealing my true identity as a child of God, bringing forth a great treasure chest of innate virtues, and helping me discover the “endless pool of love” within my heart that Baba spoke of.
Eesha’s questions also encourage me to acknowledge when and how I have “shared my light with the world.” Reflecting on this, I see that I have brought the light of deeper understanding to the many university students I taught and counseled, to my friends’ children whom I mentored as an “honorary auntie,” to the legal cases where I served as an expert witness, and to all those whose hearts absorbed my talks on reconciliation and forgiveness. I hadn’t realized till now that I have left a legacy of light!
Illinois, United States
I have experienced the light of the sun as an ebullient energy within me that radiates out to the people and world around me. Yesterday I was flying cross-country and felt full of enthusiasm. I had plenty of time and energy to connect with and be friendly toward the people around me. From the time I arrived at the airport, I warmly greeted fellow passengers and airline employees, wishing them a “good morning,” asking them about where they were traveling to, and making conversation.
Overall, people seemed grateful to connect. In such an open state of being, I was then drawn to notice an exquisite sunrise out the window as we prepared to board the flight, and I continued to watch the sunrise as we flew toward the majestic Sierra mountain range.
During the flight, I connected with the people around me. In many cases, I felt their own friendliness radiating back to me. I felt I was with the Self—within me and in the sunrise, the skies, the snow-peaked mountains, and the people around me. I felt filled with joy.
I deeply relate to Gurumayi’s likening each of us to a kiran!
California, United States
At the end of each day, I have the practice of asking myself, “What worked today? What didn’t work today?” And by work, I mean exactly what Eesha is asking us: “Have you acknowledged yourself for sharing your light with the world?”
I like to relive both the moments when I did share my light and the moments when I fell short of doing that. What’s always interesting to me is that what comes to mind are often tiny incidents—not even “incidents” really. They’re often miniscule exchanges in which love was present—or was not. In the fabric of my life, these sparks of love are what bring me joy and give my existence meaning.
And the others? Well, I can learn from them by looking at them.
California, United States
