Do you know you have an inner light? Maybe even… do you know that within you resides a light that is free from suffering and pain? In the Yoga Sutras (1.36), Patanjali speaks of the eternal light that resides in each of us. That light resides at the heart center and he describes that light as free from all suffering, grief and pain. Reflecting on this idea of your own inner light, free from all sorrow or pain, can serve as a positive support to help calm the mind, reduce stress and light your path no matter how dark it may feel around you. For me, yoga as a practice, is about discovering that light, illuminating that light, supporting that light in everyday life. I remember when I first discussed this sutra with my teacher. The sutras were quite difficult to comprehend at first. They just seemed so out there but when I attempted to “break it down” and apply it to my life this is what I came up with. Below is an excerpt of a written assignment about this sutra.
“I came to yoga at a very dark time in my life. Overall, I knew deep down inside that my life was good, my upbringing was filled with love, we (my 5-siblings) always had what we needed and my parents, extended family and friends were all supportive, loving and compassionate people. I had so many years of joy, happiness and success that I could never imagine feeling so alone, dark and sad. Then life happened. I tried to keep telling myself "it could always be worse" in efforts to stay positive. That mantra only served me for so long. After years of “doing” yoga I find myself studying the sutras and I started to practice yoga. It’s rocking my world! I realize that my inner light is diminished or covered by the trauma I had suffered from for years. My dullness, pain, sadness and hardness were all veils that were covering my light. It was a very scary, emotional and life changing experience to acknowledge how dark I was for so long. In those years of darkness there were still glows of light: like meeting my now husband, exploring the world, meeting my nieces and nephews, having my family and friends and finding my first teacher. I was a “productive” member of society but at times I was overwhelmed with feelings of loss and sadness. When I reflect on this sutra, I realize that life can cover this eternal light that resides in us. When we get knocked down, hurt, scared, injured or whatever the mind wants to protect, so it starts to put up walls, shields and veils. If we are not aware of these walls or veils our light can be diminished and sometimes in the worst cases it is extinguished completely. But if we have the courage, good teachers and support system we can illuminate that light once again! Once that light is acknowledged, with practice and over time that light can guide us and withstand even in the darkest times. Now, I understand what B.K.S Iyengar meant when he said, "Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim, the better the practice the brighter the flame." Now I practice yoga not only on the mat but off the mat. I have faith in my life, my practice and my inner light. Whenever I feel lost, I turn inward and reconnect to that light and remind myself, it is free from all suffering and pain.”
Phew… that was deep! Re-reading that assignment brought tears to my eyes. I have come so far. The pain is still there, sometimes greater than expected but now I don’t let the pain veil the light. I want my inner light to shine! I turn to sutra 1.36 often and use the mantra, "My Inner Light Shines." I chant the sanskrit Visoka va jyotismati (VEE-SHO-KAH-VA JOE-TISH-MA-TEA) not only in times of darkness but at all times! To maintain my focus on the inner light I repeat the mantra and extend to four areas to illuminate and warm myself from the inside-out.
I welcome you to explore this mantra and allow your inner light to shine! In darkness and light, reconnecting to the inner light will help you along your journey, clarify your purpose and remember the “better the practice, the brighter the flame!” Here is a guided meditation around illuminating your inner light.
P.S. yoga isn’t/doesn’t allows have to be so heavy. As Martin Luther King Jr said, “Only in darkness, can we see the stars.” We need the courage to overcome the darkness so we can see and be the light!