When couples come to me to create and officiate their wedding ceremony, they often ask that their occasion be "non-spiritual" or "non-religious." They are happy with a "celebration of love" as a theme. I am too, because I find that love is part of the fabric of any religion or spiritual teaching I have explored.
"Love" is a much easier word to deal with than "God." Other words -- like "peace," "joy," "devotion," "compassion," "forgiveness" and even "blessing" -- are acceptable. Another word that I find fits easily is "light." There is more to Light than meets the eye. There is the Light that for the most part goes unseen, although it may be more felt or intuited. I shall come to that.
Light conveys both an absence of darkness and a quality that will help us to see -- and understand -- more clearly. The Light of wisdom will guide us through troubled times and challenges. How often do we seek a wise person's counsel when we are feeling stuck with an issue -- in a relationship or at work, for example?
Light also communicates levity or joy. The saying, "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly," comes to mind. A Light heart is wise, not held down by heavy emotion and thoughts of doom or despondency. The person who is Light in nature laughs easily and takes life as it comes. They do not dwell in life's downturns with a heavy heart. They bounce back with resilience. A blessing of Light in a marriage ceremony is usually very acceptable.
A blessing of Light at any time is a great gift to give, or receive. Why? Once or twice a month, I hold an "ani-hu" chant at my home to which friends come. "Ani hu" are sanskrit words for "empathy" or "compassion" and "God" or "divine love." Chanted inwardly, or out aloud, ani-hu evokes qualities of inner peace in the person, and serenity within a group. Chanting helps us to get above our concerns and issues to see things more objectively. The heaviness of problems gets lifted. Solutions become clearer.
Before we chant, we ask for blessings of Light to be sent to people or places in difficulty of some kind. Light is always sent "for the highest good". There are no demands attached to it. Our limited minds cannot know the best outcome for every condition. A wiser presence does.
So what is spiritual Light? Can it be quantified or qualified? If it is so good, how do you use it? When and where? How does the Light make a difference in our lives? How do you experience the Light? Look at the Light as being -- Letting Inspiration Guide Higher Thought. Take a moment now to take a deep breath, relax and connect more deeply, both inwardly and outwardly, with your loving nature. If there is anything bothering you, see if you can let it go on the next out breath. With the next in breath, see if you can sense breathing in Light and restoring a sense of peacefulness. Do this a few times. Smile as you do so. The Light is a natural resource, free of charge.
Recently, I talked with a dear friend who spoke about her near death experience at the age of 18. Critically ill in hospital, the doctors considered she might die. From her description of events, she lost consciousness for a while and saw many beautiful lights. She was aware she could be dying. Then at 18, she decided she was too young to die. She wanted to live. Now 84, she continues to lead a full life. People who have had near death experiences speak of seeing the Light. Do you have to be near death to see the Light, or is it with us all the time?
The presence of the Light brings a softness and sweetness with it in my experience. Do I see the spiritual Light? No. I simply sense it. I see it in the eyes of passing strangers -- not through in depth staring, but more like catching a glance of something deeper and greater in the person. I see it in the eyes of bride and groom as they express their vows for lifelong love, as their hearts unite.
Surrendering my concerns to the Light restores a sense of trust and well-being that things are working out just fine. I am not alone. I am connected to the best in all of life. I always am, but am not always aware of it.
An excerpt from "Random Soul: 60 Ways to Discover the Spirit in You, and in the Everyday World Around You":
Light... for the highest good I call myself forward into the Light as a remembrance. As a member of the divinity of which I am a part. Because I do forget sometimes.
I send the Light to others for their highest good, in thought, in letter, on the phone, over emails. "Light" is the purest form of prayer that I know. It comes with no conditions and only love.
Wherever I am, I envisage a column of Light from the highest heavens passing deep into the centre of the earth -- in the supermarket line, at a street corner, in a cinema, the arrivals halls of airports while waiting.
More Light columns to bless each space for the highest good -- and my own consciousness, in the remembrance of the Light that I am. Each of us, you too, can remember the Light that we are, that we all are.
The Light is the great connector, that finds harmony and union where there was discord and divisiveness. The Light brings healing and peace, where there was disease and discouragement. The Light sees plenty where I might see lack. When you pray, see Light -- because the Light sees you.
What does Spiritual Light mean for you? How do you recognize the spiritual Light in your life? Have you ever had an experience of being comforted or healed by the Light? I would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me at anne@annenaylor.com.

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"Each of us, you too, can remember the Light that we are, that we all are. "
May you continue to be richly blessed.
Anne
Joy to you,
Anne
On the contrary it is the word 'soul' that referred to one's mental state - particularly with regard to one's intellectual/behavioral grasp of wisdom and temperance. This because the word 'soul' happened to be the ancient term for 'mind' i.e. the capsule containing one's three mental faculties of thought, will and memory. This is why so many religious traditions spoke of the soul as the battleground between good and evil - because the soul (the mind) was the part of you that actually chose between good or evil acts (due to selfless vs selfish motives). So when the ancients spoke of "the devil capturing or possessing your soul" they were simply referring to one's mind being habitually captive to selfish, socially unhealthy (evil) motives.
I love the energy in your comment and your perceptions.
Many blessings to you,
Anne
I have been pondering why 'we' sully our beautiful earth by extracting and burning fossil fuels, when sunlight' solar energy is a free and abundant renewable resource.
When I read your column, I realized that the market leaders want us to only 'see' oil/coal/gas because it requires destructive extraction methods, costly production, and deliver systems and they, thereby, can exert control over us through threats of price increases. To gain profits and power, they do not want us to see the bountifully free light that streams all around us, both in its spiritual and physical forms.
On the spiritual side, yes - seeing light in others is a wonderful humanizing and humbling experience. Seeing 'goodness' is similarly wonderful.
Thank you, Anne, as always!
The beauty as I see it is that no matter what "they" are doing, we do not need to be so subject to the forces that seem to act against our best interests. Because we can personally call on the Light to make things new and possible in other ways. Not necessarily in our timing but in perfect timing.
When we can see with the vision of goodness, then we begin to live in a different world. Some already are.
With love and appreciation to you,
Anne
Good to see you again - thank you for your bright presence. When you write: "spiritual light is who we are" that is really it.
I love your vision of the absence of separation. As the world can have its way with us, it can be too easy to forget and be trapped in the duality. What a blessing that we can always choose back into the greater reality.
Happiness to you!
Anne
Thank you for commenting. That film is amazing as are other in the Soul Biography series. I recommend them. http://www.soulbiographies.com/
Many blessings to you,
Anne
I've read the comments and am inspired that many people are expressing their highest good. One of the statements made by Random Soul resonated with me: "Wherever I am, I envisage a column of Light from the highest heavens passing deep into the centre of the earth -- in the supermarket line, at a street corner, in a cinema, the arrivals halls of airports while waiting."
I periodically wrap the Spiritual Light around the planet earth and ask that everyone of us be lifted up in Consciousness. This is my way of seeking to heal the negative factors that are taking place on all levels.
I love your image of wrapping the Spiritual Light around the planet earth and asking that everyone of us be lifted up in Consciousness. I can see it happening. What a sweet gift to be giving!
Many blessings of joy to you,
Anne
Radiance - Seeing things clearly with awareness -
Divine Beauty.
Knowing Oneness, Self-realization!
Ommmmmmm
You are Radiance!
Many blessings of joy and appreciation your way,
Anne
Thank you very much for your comment.
I love what you say:
Couples I meet seek fulfillmenÂt with each other because they have found Hope, Love and Happiness together. I deeply believe that this is what we all aspire to find and maybe that can be called Light.
Hope Love and Happiness can be called Light in my book.
With joy to you,
Anne
With loving and Light,
Anne
Joy to you,
Anne
Blessings of sunshine and joy to you.
And great love,
Anne
As usual, your post has reminded me how fortunate I am.
I'm not entirely sure if I've experienced 'Spiriual Light.' However, I have experienced and continue to experience, what I describe as the Benign Force of the Universe...
For me, your posts are a great reminder of how our lives are touched by forces that are often so subtle, that in order to recognize them, we need to be fully aware and open to their existance.
Thank you.
Love,
Malcolm
Great to see you here! Thank you for commenting. You also use the worlds open and aware which so much match my sense of things.
Benign Force of the Universe is a lovely phrase. I too feel very fortunate to be who I am at this time in our world.
Joy and exuberance to you!
With love,
Anne
"All living cells are interconnected, with Light between them. Every atom is interconnected with the Light. The time will come when we can transform that Light. What happens? The body dematerializes. Adepts and Masters can do this. One day you will be able to do it. Matter can be transported from one place to another through Light. Thus the astral body of one who has departed can materialize. This is the power of Light. In time, scientists will be able to understand these processes, these laws of nature. When you become aware, conscious and detached, you will not manipulate these laws for selfish ends. Your mind will become stable. You will not struggle. Awareness creates a different kind of knowledge and wisdom."
- World Teacher Maitreya through an associate as reported by Share International
Your perspective gives me a sense of encouragement and resonates with my own sense about the way the Light is for us.
Many blessings of Light to you,
Anne