In common parlance, Diwali is a festival of lights. There are many myths associated with it.In an unusual but authentic term it is more than that. It is a sketch of life involving different aspects – birth, childhood, adolescence, old age and death - an ultimate goal with intricate struggles.   Diwali is the beginning as well as the end.  It is a Treatise on relationships also. Lord Rama and Ravana are the main characters of Diwali celebrations. Their relationship with everything around them led to the culmination in Diwali. There is no denying the fact that Diwali, in addition to enjoyment, is a festival of relationship withthe family and the society. It is man’s relationship with mountains, forests, seas, rivers; urban, rural and forest dwellers as well. Mainly it is a Hindu festival but Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains also have their history linked with this important event every year.  To me, festivals are good examples of national and international integration. Of late, Diwali is getting global recognition. It is a matter of joy that Canada Post has released a Diwali Stamp and some lawmakers in the United States will introduce a Bill to declare Diwali as one of the federal public holidays. 

I am writing this column in the context of Diwali for all in general but particularly for the attention of my colleagues who are at the later stage of their life. It is for people who, after putting in decades of government or private service are leading their superannuated life. The majority of the people in this category find themselves staggering with health, financial and relationship problems. In these circumstances, they need not only the help of their children, relatives and friends, but they need the rich deposit of inspiration left by the preceding generations to give a meaningful and alternative perspective to our lives. It is almost certain that there would not have been a time for them than this passing phase when the tried and tested philosophies of the past are more seriously and urgently needed. In this respect, we can draw a lot from Diwali, the Festival of Light, Enjoyment and Relationship. 

There is a need for the seniors to lead a calm, comfortable and joyful life. A tiny burning Diya has a lot of significance for the elderly.  Not much, but very little is required to be joyful. Keeping in view Rama’s calm and composed posture throughout, “It is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.  Joy is everywhere around you and about you.”  Do not identify yourself with your name, profession, designation, race, religion, country or caste. You are beyond all this. You are eternity. Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, and not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work for the best. This happened with Lord Rama. Ultimately, he was victorious after staggering and struggling. 

The message for the seniors is “stop living for others; start living for yourself”. Throughout life, you have been busy living for family and society.  You loved your wife, children and relatives. To some extent, that love is not required now by the same individuals who needed it from you for their own benefit. A pearl of wisdom is that before love was manifested, hate was already in vogue.  It is nothing new that the world is full of hate. Men are destroying one another. Some of us even hate our names! Some people hate their status, profession, caste and colour. More evidently, “Man is Against Himself.” Here, the formula to enjoy is ‘stop hating’. Start contemplation instead of comparison and competition. Do not compare your old age to your High School or College days. 

  The following may suit many. Drunkenness is as old as Noah. But drunkenness is not an alcohol addiction. We have seen instances when a person becomes drunk, but he is not an addict. On the other hand, an addict, most of the time is not ‘drunk’ in the popular sense. He is partially intoxicated all the time. There is much to indicate that alcohol in moderation as a social drink has a useful function to perform and may be a source of increased happiness. A good drink makes the old young.  However, beware! not many hard drinks but a glass of wine, preferably Red, is an old man’s milk.

Hobby: “An idle man is a wretched man.” At this age, it is not necessary that one has to plough the fields, work in a lumber factory or go to the office to dispose of files 40 hours a week. Planting and pruning, a brisk walk, simple yoga, playing golf or cards with friends, helping a wife in the kitchen or volunteering for some social charities are some other pieces of work one can enjoy. Otherwise, a man without a hobby in the old golden days is a dead man before death knocks at the door.

In spiritual and philosophical terms, the following quotes will prove that light and darkness complement each other. We have to understand both. One cannot stand on its own. -

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light (truth)” - Plato

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.” -- OgMandino

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” - Mark Twain

Let us celebrate this great festival in the light of composure and equanimity and reflect on our dark side with the help of a small Diya. Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. Eat sweet and speak sweet. 

Zile Singh is a well respected Columnist, Writer and a Vipassana Meditater. He has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights.  He can be reached at zsnirwal@yahoo.ca