Diwali, our festival of lights gets its name from the lamps we light outside our homes. The light symbolizes the inner light within us which protects us from spiritual darkness. Diwali is a time for joy and happiness and an invitation to the Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, to visit our homes.

Children love it because they get new clothes, firecrackers, and sweets. All day is spent in eating sweets and lighting crackers. In the evening a special puja is done and then more crackers are burnt and there is feasting.

• This Diwali, instead of wearing new clothes, can I change the way I address people?
• This Diwali instead of cleaning my house, can I work on cleaning my heart?
• This Diwali instead of lighting up my house, can I light up my pathway to ignorance?
• This Diwali instead of stuffing myself with sweets, can I give up the bitterness in my heart?
• This Diwali instead of lighting crackers, can I reduce my ego and pride?
• The day I am able to do all this, or even one of these, the Goddess will enter my heart.
• While we light lamps, also spend some time in silence and close your eyes and be still.
• Light the first lamp inside you and let it light up the flames of envy within you and then extinguish them.
• Light the second lamp light within you and burn up your greed and desires.
• Light the third lamp within you and burn your anxieties and insecurities.
• Light the fourth lamp within you and the prana which is released let it purify you and give you equanimity.
• Light the fifth lamp and feel the blessings of the divinity and share the blessings with the cosmos.

Aim Hrim Klim