The Light Within

One day, the sun and a cave struck up a conversation. They exchanged pleasantries and discussed their day-to-day lives. The sun could not understand what darkness meant while the cave could not grasp the meaning of light and brightness. They decided to peek into each other’s lives for a few moments. When the cave saw the sun’s world he was mesmerized by its light; he could see everything in its bright and clear light. The cave acknowledged that the sun’s world was beyond wonderful. However, when the sun went into the cave, it did not see a difference. Both the cave and the sun were surprised at this. The cave observed that there was a notable difference between the sun’s brightness and its own dark world. However, the sun was convinced that both their worlds looked the same.

Why didn’t the sun notice the difference? When the sun went into the cave, it had taken its light along and even the darkest corners were illuminated. It only knew of light. Similarly, an enlightened soul can never be pushed into darkness, as it carries its light all the time. If one is full of darkness or negativity, fear, or doubt, one inadvertently becomes like a cave. But if one is illuminated like the sun, then none of the darkness one sees is consequential as there will always be light that removes it.

How do we become like the sun in the story? How can we emanate light wherever we go? Where do we find this light? Here the cave and the sun are metaphors for human mindsets, and we can slowly transform ourselves from the cave to the sun once we embark on our spiritual journey. This journey is our quest to search for the divine light that we carry within us – that is our essence.

Saints and mystics are illuminators who help us to realize this light. The Lord sends his messenger in human form to connect with us, just as the sun sends out its rays. The ray is not independent of the sun; it exists because of the sun and has the same qualities as the sun. When the sun sets, the ray merges back with the sun and becomes whole again. The ray is always connected to the sun, and even when it is away, its quality remains constant – it is always a part of the whole. Similarly, the Master comes to us in human form so that he can connect with us at our level of understanding; he is someone with personal experience who can show us the way. The formless assumes the human form.

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
_{Bible, John 8:12}

The Lord’s devotee is like the Lord; make no difference because of the human form.
_{Guru Nanak as quoted in Quest for Light}

Christ affirms the same truth when he says:

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me:
or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
_{Bible, John 14:11}

Once we find a true living master who has achieved realization, our journey to search for our inner light begins. Then we can leave our cave behind and be closer to the inner sun as in the story. It is the living Master who shows us the radiant way to our inner light and puts us on the path of Shabd, Nam, or Word.

When by the grace of a true living master one is put in touch with the magnetic Word, one’s eyes are opened, and our spiritual blindness is cured. The inner light shines forth and the darkness of ignorance melts away.

Those who see the light of the inner flame and hear the Word become attached to the true Lord.
_{Guru Nanak, as quoted in Quest for Light}

Referring to this inner light, Christ says:

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
_{Bible, Matthew 6:22}

At initiation we are given the technique to experience the divine light and sound within. The soul is of that same divine essence, the Shabd or Nam which permeates our every pore. We can realize this spiritual truth once we merge with the Word or Nam within through our meditation and the grace of our Master.

In the sky within is an inverted well
wherein burns a lamp;
Wherein burns a lamp
without a wick, without any oil.
Day and night, it burns,
through the six seasons and the twelve months.
One who has found a perfect Master
alone can see it;
To the one without a Master
this flame remains invisible.
_{Saint Paltu}

Even with a continuous eternal light which is within, we would remain in utter darkness and ignorance without a spiritual master. There is no light, no salvation without a master. The Master is the indispensable link between the disciple and liberation.