I have spent many years in my life collecting inspirational quotes and sayings.  I have a collection that surpasses many, I believe.  But now, with the internet, inspirational quotes are just a few keystrokes away at any given moment.

I remember reading Rumi quotes long before they were able to be found everywhere.  I studied Eastern religion and I have always been an avid fan of J.D. Salinger (he quotes a lot of Eastern poets and philosophers in his books).  There is really just something about Rumi that touches our hearts.  The quote that is the subject of this post is no different.  It goes straight to the heart and the truth of things. It is the embodiment of divine inspiration, if you will.

“The candles are many but the light is one.”  This expresses exactly what I see as being the human experience, the human truth.  As humans, we are each a candle unto ourselves, but the light that emanates from us is from the same source, and in fact, is the same light.

Whatever name you have for the creative energy that is responsible for our existence on this planet, I believe that is the source of this light.  Some force of energy created us, and that same force holds us together.  When we look inside of our hearts, or our soul, or our spirit, or whatever we see as what gives us breath, we can see a light.  I ask you to look at this light right now.  Is it big? Is it small?  Is it steady or does it flicker? Whatever it looks like, expand it out… watch it grow.  See how big you can make it.

This is, in my experience, the very light of the Creator, the Universe… God, if you like.  This is the light that animates us.  This is the light that gives us breath.  It is where we came from and it is where we will return to.

And yes.  We are individuals.  We are here in this human form so that we can experience this individuality.  But that does not mean that we are not all one light.  We are many candles… but the light is one.

I love this quote.  It really is inspirational.   It reminds me of who I really am.   I hope it reminds you of who you really are, too… and inspires you to shine your light a little bigger and a little brighter every day.