There are 5 main elements in the universe – Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Space. And of these five, fire is considered one of the most important. It symbolizes life, leads people away from darkness, helps overcome fears and much more. And even in ancient thought and belief, fire, or light, was what pointed to life. Whether it’s the photosynthesis of plants that only occurs in the Sun, or the circadian rhythms of human beings that work according to day and night, light and fire basically have the whole essence of life.
What did Sadhguru say?
In a video circulating on the Internet, Sadguru encourages people to light and keep a lamp next to the bed at a safe distance before going to bed. He explains to the people that this will benefit them immensely, just like the rituals of fire and purification by fire. Sadhguru further explains that in ancient times every house had a hallowed place where a lamp or diya was always burning, but this is no longer the same as people equated the burning of a lamp with a particular religion.
But why do it? According to some of Sadhguru’s videos, fire is the primal life force – a direct manifestation of energy, and placing a small flame near you while you rest is like keeping an active life source near you.
Why keep the lamp burning?
Well, for starters, fire is considered alive. It can breathe, grow, fade, sustain itself, and do many other things. And whether it’s good or bad, fire also has the power to change and transform everything it touches. When a fire is lit on the stove, 5 members of the family are fed, but when the same fire touches the cloth, something gets burnt.
So having a flame by your bed while you sleep allows this energy to work in your space. It is believed that the soft flickering of the light from the lamp keeps the energy in the space positive, allowing you to sleep well and wake up rested.
Peaceful energy is all around you
Lighting a lamp before bed can also help people have a more positive, calm and rested state of mind. The warmth of the light, the subtle glow, the feeling of hope and protection all help to have more positive thoughts when you go to sleep and when you wake up. Unlike the harsh, direct light of light bulbs, bulbs, or lamps, the flickering of oil lamps is much more soothing and calming.
Helps to get rid of negative energy
While some people don’t believe in ghosts, spirits, negative energy and the like, others do, and they believe that a little twinkling of lights helps ward off that negativity. It is believed that evil spirits and energies are usually found only in places where there is stagnation, hatred, sadness and conflict. And so when fire is present somewhere in the form of life, these negative energies avoid that space.
Better sleep quality
Although it is important for the body to produce melatonin to be able to sleep, and melatonin is produced in the dark, for some people pitch darkness is not the best place for sleep and rest. And for them, the practice of lighting a lamp provides a warm, natural glow from the flame that simply calms their mind and body, allowing them to relax.
Plus, since an oil lamp doesn’t have blue light like screens, the flickering of the fire helps you sleep better.
Do these 5 things before bed, explains Sadhguru
