Be The Light (Reflections on Diwali)

After close to 18 years in Chinmaya Mission, I know what Deepavali (“Diwali”) means, but this season, I had the opportunity to reflect on what Diwali meant to me.

It’s more than a time of yummy food and new clothes – it’s about sharing the special occasion with your family & friends. Not everyone can share those moments together. For instance, the Bhutanese community in Austin who moved from Nepal (after fleeing their homes in Bhutan), were not able to celebrate as a community until this year, when CHYK member, Jay Parmar, brought the community together for Diwali by facilitating a community event for them. Many of them did not have their own transport to get together, and so, they were dependent on volunteers to take them to the temple. For the first time this year, this special community was able to celebrate their traditions and rituals and remember Diwali the way they wanted to. It was a heart-warming sight at Bartholomew Park yesterday – children dancing, adults getting together for puja etc. The celebration was indeed a sight to behold. It made me think about how all these years, I had taken for granted the times that I had spent with my family and friends at Diwali.

By organizing such a community event, Jay Parmar truly embodied the spirit of Diwali – to be a source of light unto others. He gave the community what the community wanted, with no expectations of return or any agenda. This spirit of selflessness is what service is about. Jay facilitated the transport, food and logistics, and empowered the community to plan their own program. He also arranged for a toy drive to give 33 Bhutanese children Diwali presents. This truly made the event special for the children. I was invited to give away some of the presents , and as I looked into the joyous eyes of child receiving her Diwali present, I caught a glimpse of Divinity. And when the little one whispered gleefully, “Thank you”, it made my day and in fact, it made my Diwali. It was then, I truly understood what it meant to others when we work to share the light.

I am deeply grateful to Jay for showing me the meaning of true service and for embodying the spirit of Diwali.

A BIG THANK-YOU to all those who participated in toy drive! Thank you for sharing the light with others this festive season!