Today I woke up early to celebrate Deepavali. The way I have always celebrated Deepavali is by jumping out of bed and running straight to the prayer room. My mom would have decorated the family altar with flowers, oil lamps and Deepavali goodies. Today as with the past 30 years, the altar, which is my family's spiritual focus for Deepavali, was radiating light and love. There was a divine energy and beauty in the room. And I called upon this energy to be constantly with me in my life's journey and to rekindle my inner light whenever I meet obstacles or hard times in life.
It was also the first Deepavali that it was raining in the morning. The skies were dark and gloomy. No sun. I am not sure how to take this. My mom felt a bit dejected. But for the Indians rain has always been a good sign. Washing away all that is bad in our lives and unearthing the diamond within each of us. I liked the rain - I felt it was auspicious. Waking up early and praying and feeling the rain outside is a sacred experience.
We had a elaborate family breakfast together after the early morning prayers. Breakfast included the food that was presented and prayed over in the altar. We always start Deepavali breakfast with something sweet - like tarts or indian delicacy (sweets) - to welcome more "sweetness" into our lives. ie that our life continues to have many sweet and beautiful memories. Unlike in the West when sweets are reserved for the end - the desert. In Indian culture we do the reverse. I am off to the temple now. That is the next major stop. Paying our respects to the Lord in a communal spiritual setting - ie the temple and meeting and wishing fellow devotees Happy Deepavali.
What wonderful traditions I have been following for 30 years. I am glad I am back in Singapore to celebrate all of this with my family.
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