In yoga and many other spiritual disciplines we often refer to the concept of 'light' with regards to the attainment of higher consciousness and a more loving heart. Buddha once said "Be a light unto yourself," and we also hear other such phrases such as "the light of the soul" or "the light within you" and so forth. The familiar term "Guru" in fact means "that which transforms darkness to light" - "Gu" means darkness and "Ru" means light.

We perceive that where there is darkness there is fear, because in non-metaphysical terms darkness conceals all sorts of "evils" such as predators and dangers like pot holes or rocks that we may stumble upon. In darkness we grope around handicapped without the faculty of sight to guide us. As the sun sets, coldness replaces warmth, flowers close up to protect themselves, and all but the nocturnal animals seek shelter.

But in a metaphysical way, the phenomena of light has a much deeper meaning. Ancient sages long ago realized that through meditation we actual bring more light into our being. The physical body is made up of infinitesimal particles that together give the appearance of material form. There is, however, more empty space in even a rock then there is solid matter. And so it is with the human body. Not every body has the same amount of particles dancing within its form; some humans have more energy than others.

As Einstein formulated that "Energy equals mass times the velocity of light". This has interesting implications in the realm of spirituality. It also illustrates the connection and interdependency light, matter, and energy. One element that Einstein failed to factor in is consciousness, which in more recent times has been recognized as an integral part of creation and the behavior of matter and existence. This is getting to the level of quantum physics, which great enlightened beings such as Buddha, Jesus, and others had mastery over. Though their understanding of these principals may not have been in scientific terms, they had the practical understanding which allowed them to see existence as it really is and perform miracles.

Buddha spent years as an ascetic to purify his mind, eventually discovering the Middle Path, the way between both opposites that brought him enlightenment while meditating beneath a Bodhi tree. It is said that Jesus traveled to India and studied yoga to gain his self-mastery.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna grants Arjuna the gift of spiritual sight to see Krishna's true form, to which Arjuna remarked: "If the splendor of thousands of suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, even that would not resemble the splendor of that exalted be­ing."

In the Bible, John said: "He (Jesus) came to tell about the light. This was the real light, the light that comes into the world and sustains everything."

Light is the purity of your being, purity of your heart, purity of your consciousness. This is not metaphoric. Actual spiritual light-energy fills the body to make it radiant if we choose a pure path of living. This why everyone's aura appears different, as we each have different energetic imprints - almost like an energetic fingerprint - that are unique to every human and his or her life's choices and experiences. A body/mind full of hatred will emit a different frequency of light than a body/mind that is filled with joy and peace.

The great teachers, such as Buddha, Jesus, Nanak, Krishna, etc. who have attained enlightenment have this bright aura because they have dispelled darkness and only light remains. In paintings you will see the halo of light surrounding their heads, which represents what is known in yoga as the Arc Line. Those who are in the presence of such beings with a bright, expanded aura - what Buddhists refer to as the Buddha Field - are uplifted and inspired by merely being close to this energy. It is as though one person may hold a torch and all others are benefited by its light.

The great illumined masters were not born with perfect consciousness, for they were subjected to the same conditions that we are; a world that at times seems filled with violence, hatred, jealousy, and ignorance. They strove to dispel ignorance in their own being because they recognized that only love, peace, and compassion can change the heart.

We who take the time to work on our own illumination are truly blessed. Through meditation and yoga we purify our hearts and minds. With each conscious breath, with each act of kindness, with each meditation, we dispel ignorance and draw in the Light of Consciousness, the Light of Compassion, and the Light of Love.