Today, is Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to "great night of Shiva", a Hindu festival in India celebrating Lord Shiva, one of the principle deities of Hinduism. It is also personally memorable to me because of a spiritual breakthrough that I experienced, years ago, on Maha Shivratri. In "The Garland of Guru's Sayings" a collection of poetic stanzas from the sayings of Ramana Maharshi by Guru Vachaka Kovai, there is this notation "S(h)iva, the Lord who dances in darkest midnight, stands for the Awareness which sees both light and its absence."
As we watch areas of the country where Covid-19 cases are dropping and yet grapple with the potential for resurgence at any time, it seems to me fitting to share one of these stanzas on Maha Shivratri, 2021. (Susan Nettleton)
28. The Jiva's Unreality Not at all by one's own effort, But by the light of Grace alone, Pure gift of God supreme, can one Behold the light that shines in darkness, The bliss of being Awareness true. Even mid the darkness of the world.