Originally published July 10, 2020
“In discovering Inner Light we find the wholeness that we are, the Oneness and Light that we share with every other being in the cosmos.”
~ Swami Sivananda Radha, The Divine Light Invocation
I come from a Quaker family and was raised with the term “Inner Light.” Of course, it was more than just a term. Somehow it got under my skin and touched the core of my being. This Inner Light was a bridge for me when I went to Yasodhara Ashram for the first time, many years ago. There, I was introduced to gods and goddesses, which are part of the world of Yoga and symbols of Inner Light. These gods and goddesses were strange to me, but they eventually became a way for me to engage more personally with Inner Light, with my Divinity.
The Divine Light Invocation is a yoga practice that helps us discover Inner Light. It takes only a few minutes to do, yet those few minutes of practice hold the potential for many personal insights. These insights can keep you learning about yourself and the world around you for many years, if not a lifetime.
Swami Radha emphasized the importance of precision with this practice. I think of precision and Light as Yoga at its best. It teaches mental awareness (the heart of yoga), body awareness, concentration, visualization. As I look at these words, I realize that what’s needed by the practitioner is to reflect on each word as well as the word “Light.”
- What is Light? What does it mean to you?
- What is awareness—both physical and mental?
- What is Concentration? Visualization?
Why would anyone ask us to think about these words? In my experience, thinking in depth (and that includes feelings) can take us into a sweet intimacy with our inner being, the very essence of who we are. And that connection can support the struggles and the joys of being in an ever-changing world.