大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya

The Festival of Diwali

Good morning.

For millions of Hindus around the world the time has come to celebrate the festival of Diwali.

In homes around the country and around the world, we prepare for Diwali by performing the equivalent of a spring clean. Since the festival of Diwali is about celebrating and welcoming the presence of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, it's important for us to prepare our homes, our surroundings, and also our minds such that we are able to receive this divine presence into our lives.

We may be cleaning our surroundings regularly on a daily or weekly basis, but I often find that it鈥檚 when I take the time to really clear a space I haven鈥檛 looked at for a while, that I learn something or come away with something to reflect on. When we take the time to clear spaces like that drawer full of odds and ends in the kitchen, we find things we forget we had, or things we no longer need, or things of sentimental value. We have an opportunity to examine the way our life has progressed and evolved between the time linked to that object and the present day.

Today also marks Armistice Day, an occasion for people around the world to pause and remember those who have given their lives in war. We fall silent in their memory and honour their sacrifice.

As we prepare for Diwali, I pray for the clarity to recognise what I do and don鈥檛 need in my life. I pray for the strength to let go of what no longer serves me. I pray for the wealth and the resources to be able to retain what's important to me in life.

Hari Om.

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