By Pastor Cindy Senarighi RN
The Scripture ~ Jesus said, “No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21 Good News Translation
The Spiritual Focus ~ All that you seek is already within you. In Hinduism, it is called the Atman, in Buddhism, the pure Buddha-Mind. Christ said, ‘the kingdom of heaven is within you.’ Quakers call it the ‘still small voice within.’ This is the space of full awareness that is in harmony with all the Universe, and thus is wisdom itself. –Ram Dass
The Breath Prayer ~ Inhale ~ I am light, Exhale ~ Jesus is light
The Devotion ~ Sitting around a campfire, staring at the flames, watching a log burn in a fireplace, or even gazing at the flickering flame of a candle holds our attention to the present moment. These experiences have the ability to draw us in and give us pause to consider deeper thoughts. In yogic philosophy the eye gaze is called drishti and is a practice that supports our physical, emotional and spiritual balance. Drishti opens us to the present moment and allows deeper thoughts to marinate.
In theology and spirituality, the idea of a Divine Light, Divine Presence or Divine Spark are all ideas that have been studied, debated and embraced by many religions and philosophies.
Christian mystical tradition teaches God’s Presence is within us. We hear that not only in Jesus’ words in today’s scripture, but also in the First Testament story when God breathes God’s very essence into Adam. The Divine Spark, also known as the Divine Light, is the little bit of God in each of us that is always reestablishing our connection with God. Jesus Christ is the light that leads humanity into reestablishing our relationship with God through Jesus’ healing, teaching and preaching. The Holy Breath is the God energy that connects and flows in and through all life.
In healing circles and yoga philosophy, it is believed we have energy centers along our spine called chakras. One of those chakras is called the manipura, or the lustrous gem. It is connected to the solar plexus or stomach and it functions to motivate us and to move us forward. It is our vitality for life; the fire in our belly, so to speak. Body, mind and spirit come together in the idea that we can practice yoga so that Divine Light grows in us, grows in relationship to God and to each other thus building a fire for all to gaze upon.
