Day 97 – Clarity

Diwali or as they like it in the South of India Deepawali, continues.The festival of lights goes on in full bloom for 5 days. Each day, has a significance and a story. Different traditions and rituals are followed on each of the five days of Diwali. Hopefully with different realizations.

Diwali symbolises the spiritual

Victory of light over Darkness

Good over Evil

Knowledge over Ignorance

The significant feature the “Lights”. Once I returning to Bombay on the eve of Diwali, and the aerial view of the lit city was just breath-taking. I just couldn’t get over it.

One of the things that strikes me, is the Victory of Light ‘Over’ Darkness. It literally never gets over. It’s Important because Diwali follows the “Lunar Calendar” unlike other festivals. And is celebrated on Amavasya, or the New moon. Which some believe is not auspicious. It if was not auspicious why would we have one of the biggest festival on that day?

As someone who has been following Moonology and practice the new moon full moon rituals, I believe otherwise. (Refer book Moonology by Yasmin Boland)

As a new moon represents the start of a new lunar cycle, it symbolises new beginnings. People use the energy of a new moon to achieve their goals or start on a new project or even plant new things.The manifestation power of a New moon is the Highest. In older tradition lots of Devi poojas were held on this night for this reason.

The “Auspiciousness” of Diwali is because of the Alignment of the Sun AND the Moon.Which obviously gives rise to New moon,

A new moon happens once a month when the moon and the sun conjoin in the sky, setting off a new cycle of light. When the moon is new, it’s invisible to us on Earth, then it slowly appears as a very thin crescent of light. Its funny how just because we don’t see something we think it is not there, or not good. While the energy of a new moon lasts for about three days before and after the lunation explains the five days of Diwali, the moon is technically only new for a moment, the “Muhurta”—when the sun and the moon are directly aligned in the sky .

So there even astrologically, it is not an OR but an AND. I am amazed how we forget and polarise conveniently and never wonder. Dark is bad – Light is good.

Last few years, I have also had some bitter sweet memories of this day. And I have had to sit with my dark and light. And explore and integrate. As within so without.

Anyway, back to the “Festival of Lights”. In all the outward celebrations sometimes we forget it is also a time to notice the Change of seasons within.

As Sadguru enumerates, one reason why light is so significant in human life is the way our visual apparatus is made. For other creatures, light simply means survival. But for a human being, light is not just about seeing or not seeing. The rising of light in our life signifies a new beginning and, above all, Clarity  This being the nature of human existence, clarity is of supreme importance.

That is why light is important. Light means Clarity. Diwali is important because it is a festival dedicated to clarity, to bringing down the murkiness in you.

I couldn’t agree more.

According to the day two, story Krishna slaying the demon, Narakasura (Narak means hell) When this “causing of hell” was brought to an end by Krishna, people celebrated by lighting lamps in every house. Today, people realize that life hits a point of inertia at this time of the year. And they have forgotten to See. And need something to “wake up”. Perhaps that is why the crackers are burst starting in the wee hours of morning.

“Diwali is a symbol of overcoming this inertia, because inertia is the source of narak, or hell. Once inertia sets in, you will not go to hell – you will be hell” – Sadguru

This makes sense from the point of view of Nature, for me. NOTHING in nature is ever stagnant. Everything keeps moving or it is dead, or about to.

“An Earthworm or insect simply knows what to do and what not to do – a human being does not.

It takes a certain intelligence to be confused – Satguru

Clarity has been a big value for me personally. But I have never really thought much about it. Seeing it in the “Light” of Diwali suddenly makes me see it more.

In Diamond terms, Clarity is the Absence of Imperfections.

Definitions of Clarity: The quality of being clear and easy to understand and be understood . The quality of being expressed, remembered, understood, etc, in a very exact way

The Three Types of “Clarity”, that have unfolded for me in my life are:

Clarity of Thought – Communication – Intention.

Clarity of Thought

Mental clarity is a state of mind. When you have mental clarity, your mind isn’t clouded with indecision, what-ifs, overwhelm or worry. Does not mean it is not there. But it is a way of organizing the thoughts in such a way that it is more efficient and elegant

I also feel clarity of thinking is a function of taking responsibility for the outcomes. When one is not willing to take the responsibility murkiness and not taking a stand or position becomes an unconscious strategy.

It can also be a result of not having your choices or decisions mean much, growing up. And so one is left second guessing a lot. I know of a lot of people with this kind of early childhood experiences. What ends up happening is then, even when their own intuition and gut tells them otherwise, they let the “other” make decisions on their behalf. So that responsibility and the impending shame can be avoided. And end up getting willingly or unwillingly manipulated. I feel quite sad. Decision making is a skill, which gets better with practice.

While growing up,  I had to take on the “Responsibility” mantel very early. I remember, when my dad was leaving for his new job to Bahrain there was a lot of crying etc at home. And we all went to see him off at the airport, the entire jing-bang, my younger siblings mom grandparents etc. Just before he went in, he turned, took in all the people who were crying. saw me – not crying , and just addressed me and said “ You are now responsible for all of them”. And just like that with that, statement, I became in that moment someone who was Responsible for Everyone. That sentence became my Life sentence.

Because of that, I had many ups and downs. Still do. I became someone who would not let the ball drop. Figure things out. Look after my family of Six. Some days, in school when my friends worried about birthday parties, etc, I was worrying about food on the table for everyone.I was responsible. Very early on I learnt to make money. I had to. And for that I needed my Mental Clarity. I couldn’t afford indecisiveness. My family depended on me, I did not always make the right choices. But, with iterations and practice, I got better.

I learnt to have backup plans and ”hacks”.  I did not have the luxury of second guessing and doubts.

“When there is Clarity there is NO choice”

Rhea

When I don’t have clarity I also get stressed, fatigued, feel agitated and confused. And lose energy. I have to then find quiet and recenter. I try to avoid any decision making in such states.

Most people also mistake Clarity for Confidence. Just because you have clarity does not always mean you will have confidence. And vice versa..

Infact this leads to the famous, Dunning-Kruger effect. It is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are. Essentially, low ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence. The combination of poor self-awareness and low cognitive ability leads them to overestimate their own capabilities. They often shun feedback.

The effect is named after researchers and social psychologist David Dunning and Justin Kruger. And used a lot in political domain

“Whoever knows he is deep, strives for clarity; whoever would like to appear deep to the crowd, strives for obscurity. For the crowd considers anything deep if only it cannot see to the bottom: the crowd is so timid and afraid of going into the water.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Path :

• Circle of Influence: What is in it – my goal-what and why I want something
• Options: List options of how, when, where etc
• Scenario planning: List what-ifs, and what will I do in the end of each what-if
• Manual override – Most Important: Not thinking of what I have already though again.
• Take responsibility and DON’T blame:  For my choices whichever way they go
• Learn always from my decisions about decision making

Proof:

• Silence in my mind.

• No more “Choices.

• There is no noise.

Practice:

• Quiet time
• Being in Nature
• Exploring and experiencing Beauty

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream” – Vincent van Gogh

Clarity of Communication

It kind of flows from Clarity of thoughts. When my head is sorted, speaking and being understood is easier. The theory of Mirror Neurons works quite nicely over here I think. But there are a few things that make it easier.

Path:

• Essentialism: The disciplined pursuit of less. Choosing only the bare necessity, leaving out instead of adding.
• Being deliberate using, mental Bullets while speaking
• Keeping it Simple, in language and form.
• Remembering : “Speak only of you can better the Silence”

Proof

• Being able to fully listen to the said and unsaid. I have nothing inside me
• Being able to stop Mid-sentence without feeling incomplete

Practice:

• Contemplation
• Engage in conversations only when fully tuned in
• Say No.

I have found, what causes confusion, the opposite of Clarity is misunderstanding.

When most people say they want Clarity, they mean Certainty.

Like day before when I asked my son, Will you come home, I am not sure. What does that mean, I am not clear.  The answer was clear. He was not certain. He was clear about that. But I wanted to hear a yes or a no.  Certainty not Clarity.

If we are able to sit with Uncertainty as a given. We would not be tentative about it. We would be clear about the uncertainty. That one day we all will die is Certain. When is not Clear. That is all.

Clarity of Intent

I find this is a function of connection with oneself and the Universe. When I feel this kind inf Intentional Clarity – My body feel at rest and buzzing at the same time. I feel a connection and alignment with the Universe. And I don’t feel alone even if I am.The universe has my back.

It is when I know something without knowing how I know. Or say I will do it or have it without the How. If it is the Universe’ desire, the let the universe figure out the how. I am sure it knows a lot more than I will ever know. So I don’t worry. I let the Universe have my back. And Relax. And cruise along.  

“More is lost by indecision than wrong decision.”

This 100 days blog has been one such intention. I have NO Idea how I have made it to the 97^th day.

Path:

• Connect to my body – Listen to what it is saying

• Speak out the intention out loud

• Pray – Ask for what leave the how to the Universe.

• Have faith – don’t micro manage

• No Mixed signal – Don’t give confusing, contradictory messages

Proof:

• A sense of wellbeing
• Less effort more flow
• Aligned actions andmovement

Practice:

• Write down your intention and put it up
• Express Gratitude often
• Speak your mind and heart, without fear
• Be Audacious

I have also found some people “use” the universe as a personal assistant. And dictate or get mad when something don’t happen. In that moment of Complain and upset, we lose the connection with the universe and are back to being on our own. And then have to struggle and suffer more.

I am reminded of one of my favourite Stories

Perhaps this is what is the essence of this Festival. And the fact that it comes on the new moon It is about embracing the Dark and the light. About Clarity of heart and letting the guide.

Perhaps it’s a time to remember that Clarity is our default state, what we take on as habits, beliefs etc are the “impurities” which make our inner visions cloudy.  There must be a reason, when precious elements like gold, have to go through fire to bring out its clarity by burning the impurities.

“When the Heart is Clean, the Mind is Clear and the speech is Concise”

And maybe as we light the Lamps we imagine the fire cleansing and we re-membering our light and dark parts. And reconnect with our own deep, always present, always benevolent clarity of the Soul.

And let the New moon unfold New Beginnings.

Clarity

The clarity 

was so to the point – That is was shattering.

It cut through. Some old cobwebs

Of dead beliefs, scrap books, And pages yellowed with 

Non potent pollen

It was at war, With voices.

Some of them – mine.

It was so sure  – Of itself

That the pattern of my breath – on the frosted window

Remained Gentle – Unchanged

The scribbled names, though – Have Started fading

It was bright – blinding..

To the point of darkness – I could not see

What I was used to seeing

It hurt, My eyes Too

After a period of, Suspended, Forcibly unfinished thoughts

Tears that had been forced into habit

It called out the bluff Of ghost dreams

Full of form – No substance

I opened my Eyes And saw..

What was right there, all along for a long time

Tears were set free – They rushed joyfully To the heart.

The Shattering  Allowed more integrity

The illusion of choice

Disappears.

Rhea