Notes on Light

  As visual beings, we see with our eyes. What we perceive in the world around us is taken as an objective truth mostly. But, are our perceptions and worldview actually objective? Do we not process information through the lens of our personal history, upbringing, societal norms, etc.? I would argue that this veil or screen is present for everyone by default. Each person's mental schema provides a framework by which information is processed and observations are evaluated. Now, let's pose an interesting question...what would happen if that veil were to be lifted entirely? Meaning that one's interpretation of the inbound stimuli that abounds everywhere were to be viewed in perfect clarity and truthful awareness. Wouldn't that be something?! The process of peeling off the veil from one's eyes isn't an easy one, by any stretch of the imagination. It is an exploration into self knowledge that requires complete honesty and difficult realizations about oneself. The jour...

  The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, the way out, the solution to the troublesome thing. It can seem elusive and a million miles away, crushing all hope and ensuring defeat. This feeling can indeed be disheartening. Prospects for a brighter future might seem infinitesimally small. Yet, the smallest glimmer could provide the drive and courage necessary to keep moving forward, one step at a time. That tiniest of flickers acts as a beacon, a sign of resolution, the end to the struggle. Although it may seem distant and out of reach at that very moment, its appearance is a sign that the path is correct, that there is a guiding light navigating the course.  Hope can be fragile, seemingly shattering at the slightest grip. Like the north star, this hope is the light which guides, providing a reference point when one has strayed off course. Even the faintest of light indicates that hope is not misplaced, that the resolution is coming, things will get better.

  The aesthetic of straight, sleek lines is highly praised. Smooth edges, a clean visual experience. But, what of the crooked, the offset, the off-kilter? Is there not beauty and gracefulness in the experience of that which is misaligned and tilted? Think about the leaning tower of Pisa, and how boring it would be just standing upright in its perfect 90 degree angle. So, what about our rough edges, our tilted experiences? The smooth and clean is pleasant for us, it makes life bearable. Times of calm and tranquility give us space to breathe and reflect, to appreciate and rejoice. But, the crooked patches, with their difficult-to-navigate periods give us tough lessons, opportunities to grow, fuel for survival. When we experience difficulties, we swear at them and damn them to hell. Much later (perhaps years later), we reflect on them as pivotal periods of growth and understanding. Let us celebrate the offset, the crooked, the off-kilter in our lives. Very well-disguised blessings pre...

Just as the light penetrates the window, so it penetrates us. If we remain open to the light, our curtains drawn out of the way, it can enter and provide luminance to our inner world. The dark room, which is our internal hiding place, gets brought out into view. As light floods our being, we can be both healed and made aware of what was tucked away, out of conscious perception. As in the photograph, when the sun is at the correct angle, the window becomes a conduit for the inflow of beautiful light. So it is with us...when we are ready to receive the light, it can embrace us with its soft, warm glow. Its rays beaming and piercing every fiber of our being, transforming shadow to light, heavy to light.  It's a gift available to all, yet not accepted by many.