I recently had the luxury of going on a four-day silent retreat. The retreat director was a life-long Jesuit and college professor. Over the four days, we sat and listened to ten different talks about all sorts of things that were Jesuit-y and wonderful.
One of the words and concepts he introduced us to was illumination. While I know what the word means, I don’t think I have ever used the word in my daily life. His challenge was a simple one – what lights up your life? What brings light, clarity and understanding to your life?
In order to process this for myself, I did a little research on the different contexts for lighting up my own life. And as I hope you have come to understand, I feel compelled to share a lot of my own processing with you. Apologies or your welcome?
What does it mean to illuminate?
In a spiritual or mystical sense – illumination is a state of enlightenment, understanding, or spiritual insight. This can be when we suddenly see or experience truth in our life.
From an art and design perspective, illumination can refer to decoration that includes elaborate designs and embellishments or literally lighting a room or something up!
Intellectually – illumination could mean clarifying or explaining something leading to more insight.
In general, illumination implies that we are bringing light, clarity or understanding to something.
How can we create more illumination in our lives?
We can learn and do new things to essentially illuminate new neural pathways.
We can find meaning in the mundane or ordinary – to illuminate our path or trail.
We can pursue something creative that allows more beauty, joy and new perspectives into our lives.
We can invest in meaningful relationships that can illuminate our lives with love ad connection.
We can create spiritual practices that illuminate our life by allowing us to connect to/with a higher power.
Part of my fascination with old churches is walking into a cold and dark place with no insulation, with no fabric comforts and seeing candles lit. It suddenly makes a cold and dark place feel warm.
Today, I wish you the warmth of illumination.