Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated as the festival of Light
in India & many other places. People light their homes/offices &marketplaces.
The word ‘light’ has got one more meaning
associated with it. Being light also means shedding (unwanted) burden and free-up
some space from the burden of heaviness. Most of us attempt or consider it with
our bodies by way of diet and exercise programs. Diwali is the time of
reassuring this commitment to your favorite program.
In fact, this process should be
extended to our homes also. Over the period of one year, we accumulate so much
stuff that a ritual to consider ways to make our home lighter is needed and Diwali
offers an opportunity for this. Let us review our inventory of our wardrobes, shoe-racks,
drawers and storehouse. Discard the unwanted items in a respectful manner not
causing environmental issues. If these can be of use to someone else, consider these
for joy of giving for a healthier society.
Can we use the same process for ‘being
light’ for our minds to shed off some burden?
Well, this will be the real
enlightenment.