A Flame In A Dark Cave

8/19/2023

Reading this passage 'A Flame In A Dark Cave' authored by Colin Walsh reminds me of a song my mother used to sing in my native language Gujarati "Dilman divo karo, divo karo." Let the light of the lamp shine within your heart. There were times when I used to find fault in what others were saying or doing. And my mother lovingly would sing this song reminding me of looking within to see the light coming from uncluttered, calm and clear inner space. I learned that there is light of wisdom radiates from within when I keep my heart and mind open to receive it. It is an unconditional gift and I bow gratefully for receiving it.

I am a human being some times doing wrong things. The Being component of human being helps me keep my eyes open to see the light of the truth and follow it. This is the path of Liberation and I am happy to follow it. It is a journey of shifting the inner gear from human
doing to human being.
Namaste!

4 Comments

Therese M Griffin link

8/19/2023 02:09:34 pm

A Flame in A Dark Cave
By Therese

I believe my body is my Creator's Temple. At times my temple can become dark as a cave in the middle of a mountain. When I was struggling to find Addiction Recovery of Alcohol and Prescription Drugs. My life was negative of who I was. A gentleman asked me, "What’s going very well in your life?" I grumbled about what wasn't going right. He asked, "What is one thing that you know you're the best?" I said immediately, "I'm the best Aunt in the World! His reply was, “That's wonderful!"

Today, as I reflect on my day my two questions are "What's going well? and What can improve." It's like a farmer, she doesn't just count her dead chickens. She counts the ones who are perky, laying eggs, and grateful for the rooster too.

I have always enjoyed the song, "This Little Light of Mine" was written by Harry Dixon Loes in the 1920s. It has the rhythm of Gospel Music.

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.

All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood

I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.

I have learned if I want to live then I need my attitude to be of gratitude. The only way I keep my loving spirituality is to give it away. Don't hide it under a bushel or in a deep dark cave. At evening time, I often say, “Thank-you, God for a beautiful day, God bless me.”

Debbie Podwika

8/19/2023 03:03:31 pm

I really loved the OP. I totally agree with the idea that many times we don't know what we don't know, and I'd add how much we don't know. We have to continue to remember this no matter how old we get. As we get older, we have learned so much but there are also new things all the time, certainly technology, but even in the last few weeks there have been sooo many new discoveries in science being posted. We have to keep remembering no matter how much information our brain holds currently, there is sooo much more to learn.

I also believe this "light in the cave" idea has to do with understanding situations and people. Many times, we rush and make assumptions only to find out how much of the situation or of the person we did not know and had we, we would have had a very different opinion or conclusion.

Finally, this piece reminds me this is sooo very true of others as well. I need to remember this and not jump to an opinion about them just because they do not see as much of the Cave as I do otherwise someone who sees more of the cave than I do could form a similar conclusion of me. I need to remember that I could help light the cave a bit more for them or make it much darker. If I use my heart, I can help illuminate the cave and they will see what I see and perhaps with both our flames, we will both see much more than we both have been seeing!

Elaine noonan

8/19/2023 03:08:55 pm

Dr Dave’

Your responsive remarks touched me deeply. The powerful words in song that your mother taught you continue to come through you to me and other people in your life. I am so grateful for this.

Creating inner space of light is a beautiful way to live mindfully. When situations arise, surrounded with dark or negative ideas or people, it is important to have the light within provide peace and harmony, in the processing of an event or personality of another.

Thank you so much for the blessing of your words that come straight from your heart. Namaste.

Elaine noonan

Maria

8/19/2023 03:50:37 pm

What a beautiful reflection. Thank you for sharing your experiences with your loving mother. Being a mother to me was a struggle when my kids were little because I was very young and I wanted to be a perfect mother. Now I know that there is no such thing as a perfect person.
My mother was stressed, sickly, and impatient when I was little although she had a lot of faith. She couldn’t see that the way we treat others is part of our spiritual practice not just going to church on Sundays. The reason I bring her up is not to just speak of her flaws but to let you know that she was the person I looked up to always. I wanted to be a good daughter. I wanted her to express her love for me. She was able to relax in her later years and then I received the nurturance and attention I wanted when I was little. Now I try to slow down and tell my kids how much I love them with my actions not just words. I believe stress narrows our ability to remember that our problems are but a small speck in the vastness of our existence. Love illuminates and opens our hearts to accept ourselves and others.

Mindfulness

A Flame In A Dark Cave

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