Friday, June 10, 2011

Come to Light


We face numerous challenges in life. We may have illnesses and financial or relationship problems. We may face dark spells, but we do not have to be blinded by the darkness. The following story has an instructive message to help us through the dark patches our life.

There was once a cave that lived underground, as most caves do. Since it spent its entire life in darkness, it had never seen any light. One day, a voice talked to the cave, and said, "Come up into the light. Come and enjoy the sunlight." The cave replied, "I do not know what you mean by light. All I have ever known is darkness." "Come and see for yourself," said the voice.

The cave mustered up enough courage and climbed slowly up from the depths of the earth. Suddenly, it reached the top of the earth and was surrounded by magnificent light, the likes of which the cave had never seen in its life. "This is beautiful," said the cave. After enjoying the light for a while, the cave said to the sunlight, "Now it is your turn to come with me and see the darkness."

"What is darkness?" asked the sunlight. The cave answered, "Come and see for yourself." So the sunlight decided to visit the cave's home. As the sunlight entered the cave, it said, "Now show me your darkness." But with the sunlight there, there was no darkness to be found!

Where there is light, there can be no darkness. Whenever we feel we are in a dark phase, we need only tap into the light of our soul. Our true nature is light. If we would only identify with our true nature, we would find there is no darkness. If we would also bring our own innate goodness and light into our daily life, we would never be overcome by the darkness of life again.

We each have within us the light of the soul, which has been described by saints as being equal to the light of sixteen outer suns. But we are not aware of it because we identify ourselves with the outer world of darkness and illusion. If we would invert our attention within through meditation, we would discover that we are Light. Then, whenever the dark spells of life threaten to bring us down, we could invert, find the Light within, and bring it forth into the darkness to dispel it.

When we associate with the temporary illusions of this world, we feel pain. But when we realize that the outer events are but a dream existence, a passing show that is but temporary, we can rise above the pain and disappointment.

When we find misfortune, let us count the numerous times we have experienced good fortune. When we fail, take that as an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and try again. When we find ourselves in darkness, let us close our eyes and focus within until we see the light that brings peace, joy, and love. If we bring that light into our lives, then like the cave in the story, we will find that there is no more darkness.

If we sit in meditation, we can experience the light waiting for us within. Let us not be distracted by the darkness of thought, but instead sit in stillness and wait lovingly for God to shine light upon us.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

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