It’s been shown that one factor contributing toward inter- and intraspecies communication is the bioluminescence (light photons emitted when electrons lose energy) that all animals produce.
You may be familiar with research that’s been out for a while now — a 2009 study in which researchers in Japan, using a special camera, discovered that even the human body emits light. Granted, this light radiates at levels 1,000 times lower than what the human eye can detect; nonetheless, there is scientific documentation that “the human body literally glimmers.”
Present-day science is “proving” what the yogis have known for thousands of years.
Two of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras mention the inner light of yogis:
- 1.36 Visoka va jyotishmati — referring to the “effulgent light of the soul” as an object of contemplation, found in the section of Ch. 1 where Patanjali offers several ways we can overcome the obstacles on the yogic path.
- 3.21 Kaya rupa samyamat… — From Ch. 3, which lists the various “superpowers” that yogis can achieve as a result of intense practice, uninterrupted, over a long period of time. This sutra describes how the yogi can control the degree to which their inner light shines, even decreasing it enough to become invisible.
There’s also the empirical evidence from our own daily lives, right? Certainly, all of us, at one time or another, have said or heard exclamations like, “She’s glowing!” or “He just radiated!” to describe someone who’s in love, or who was just recognized for a great achievement. Or maybe we’ve noticed someone’s inner light beaming forth brightly when witnessing them in their true essence—fully engrossed in the work they’ve been put on this planet to do. I invite you to reflect for a moment…
—> Can you bring to mind a time you set eyes on someone who seemed to be radiating with an inner glory?
—> When did someone ever exclaim directly to you, “You’re glowing!” Could you feel the strength of your own inner light at that time?
—> Can you picture in your mind’s eye, someone whom you’ve had the privilege to witness in their dharma/pursing their life’s calling?
On this Independence Day, when cities across the nation celebrate with huge fireworks shows, I like to think of this phenomenon as our own “inner fireworks.”
Why not celebrate those inner fireworks that can burst forth as a result of unconditional love, stupendous successes, the alignment of one’s true nature?
May we all continue to evolve in that direction… Happy Fourth!
Listen to the above-mentioned Yoga Sutras chanted by me:
Yoga Sutra 1.36:
Yoga Sutra 3.21:
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