December 2019: Celebrating the Season of Light
/نور خواهی مستعد نور شو
“If you wish for light, practice becoming the empty vessel to receive light.”
~Rumi
Reflection on the Quote:
A message from Dr. Fariba Enteshari, Founder & Executive Director:
Tending the seed of light in the belly of darkness to give birth to an enlightening vision is the foundation of one of the oldest religions in the world. The Sanskrit word Mitra, rooted in Indo-Iranian mythology, means the god of light. Mitra’s birthday is on the longest night of the year, called Yalda in Persia. Why? Mitra was born on the longest night of the year because in that darkest period we need to focus on tomorrow where the days grow longer – so we should look after the seeds of our hope.
Our survival as the human race depends on projecting a future that can be better than today, not only for our sake, but also for the sake of our children, and their children. Our ancestors, after the busy time of harvest in autumn, diverted their attentions inward, on planning how to survive through harsh winters physically while they fed their souls during the long nights of winter. They reflected on seeds of hope within their hearts. They celebrated and shared the limited supplies they had. They enjoyed the time of being together.
In their togetherness, they understood the meaning of giving birth to light in the actual sense of everyday life. They sought to become a pure empty vessel to be able to give birth to something beyond their worries, a vision that could elevate them to enlightened living. During this time they held on to the precious seeds that could grow them into the image of God and into a rebirth of the living Christ and thus dedicating their time to the service of.
-Dr. Fariba Enteshari