Why Diwali is about clarity and not just "good over evil."
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a 5-day celebration that is celebrated in Indian and South Asian culture around the world began last week, culminating on the new moon. This time is meant to be about all about shedding light on darkness. Illuminating the mind, and "good" overcoming "evil".
Diwali, or Deepavali is observed by several religions - including Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. However, how it is practiced can look incredibly different not only based on belief systems, but even down to each family and lineage.
My family observes Jainism, and we grew up celebrating Diwali with a mish mash of Jain and Hindu traditions. I started to learn quickly at a young age that while we observed Jainism, some of our traditions were “culturally” Hindu because of how and where my family grew up (and because Hinduism is the dominant religion in India). For example, some Jains observe Diwali as a representation of dharma (duty, purpose), overcoming adharma (not-purpose, unjust), whereas you may be more familiar with seeing Diwali as celebrations and pujas for Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity). More on this in a future article, but for now, I encourage you to do your own research as well to avoid the assumption that all Indian and/or South Asian folks observe Diwali in the same way (or at all).
The language around Diwali that you likely hear the most is that it is a festival of lights - a time for light to overcome darkness. After all, the word Diwali comes from Deepavali, literally meaning a series of or a row of lights.
I’ve been sitting with this newsletter draft for over a week, observing the nights getting longer and the energy around us getting more and more restless and rage-filled with the U.S election quickly approaching. Reducing Diwali to a binary like “good” over “evil” just doesn’t sit well this year when we are living in a time of multiple genocides, misinformation, and so much confusion. After all, if was just about what’s good and what’s bad, why would our government be continuing to fund a genocide? Isn’t that a clear red line?
If you’re familiar with my work and approach to yoga and yoga therapy, you know how much I believe in language having an impact, and understanding the intersection of rituals, how we practice yoga, and social justice.
Consider how changing the language from "light over darkness" to "clarity over lack of clarity" can give a more holistic understanding of Diwali (and yoga).
The practice of yoga is ultimately about discernment and clarity. As my teacher would always say - which voice are you listening to? Either your inner knowing or something else.
Yoga Sutra 2.28 discusses a vital concept in yoga, “viveka khyatihi”, which means to have continuous discernment or wisdom. In other words, this wisdom comes effortlessly and is free from doubt. Discernment is beyond the intellectual mind, and takes time to be developed and refined.
The experience of clarity deepens your connection to who you essentially are, and the process of yoga can be helpful in unlearning and relearning ways to come back to yourself. In other words, cultivating clarity may mean a decision is clear and undeniable to you, yet it may not be comfortable or even peaceful.
Here are 5 reflection questions and journal prompts to explore this season, when the veil is thin between our living world and ancestors and when there are many ripe opportunities to misperceive and misunderstand.
How are you taking the experience of illumination beyond your own practice, out into your communities and the world?
Are you focusing more on getting others to perceive clearly, that you’re neglecting developing clarity within yourself?
How can I lean into community to help me illuminate the samskaras/patterns I’m acting out of that are not useful to me right now?
How can these sacred yoga practices support me having clarity so that I am equipped for the next steps after the election?
How is darkness vital to your process toward clarity?
In other words, to know clarity is to know lack of clarity. Sending you a lot of love, care, and intentional community as you navigate this season.
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With love,
Melissa