Cultures

Indian traditions can be categorized by the degree to which they proffer a world-denying (via negativa) or a world-affirming (via positiva) perspective. Both world-deniers and world-affirmers see everyday attitudes toward the world as, in important ways, illusory; it is thus their respective responses to the world’s illusions that distinguishes them.

Oneika is an activist, yoga and meditation teacher.

As the sun continues along its southern course dakṣināyaṇa and the days get shorter approaching the Winter Solstice, those of us living in the northern hemisphere find ourselves enveloped in increasing darkness.

As the sun continues along its southern course dakṣināyaṇa and the days get shorter approaching the Winter Solstice, those of us living in the northern hemisphere find ourselves enveloped in increasing darkness.

Here we encounter a vision of Lakṣmī—the central mistress of this “festival of light”—that raises surprising contradictions and cause us to rethink the real significance of Hinduism’s most important celebration.