A Candle & methaphysics.
By missak
@missak (3311)
Spain
June 16, 2007 10:20am CST
I think a candle is the most universal mean for methaphysics. As far as I know, all religions use it. It is like a universal word of good we send to our god or godess, or gods and godesses... you even don't have to be theistic to light a candle and maditate about good and love.
Do you light candles? Do you feel special methaphysics emanating from candles? Are also candles a methaphore of life? What are their meaning for you?
Why do you think we all use this symbol? Maybe it is a rememberance or aknoledgement for when we passed from hominid life to technological mind when the first humans discovered how to use the fire? Or maybe it is just the way a light in the full dark remember us the good path in humankind corruption?
With this discussion I want to light a candle for all the cultures in the world. May Inspiration be with you ever.
4 people like this
12 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
17 Jun 07
I use a lot of candles. For religious purposes, or even just for relaxation.
For me, a candle is in some ways a focus. If I am working towards a specific goal, lighting a candle in relation to that goal adds energy both from the fire element and from my own being.
I think candles for me are usually a metaphor for the human spirit. We burn brightly at some times, dimly at others, and once in a while we completely burn out. But while still alive, any spirit candle can once again receive fire, and burn just as brightly again. That's part of my own hope for my life, having been what it is, that given the right circumstance I can be full of energy and beauty just like the candle can be lit again.
Cheesy, eh?
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
17 Jun 07
Sorry, it's kind of a slang term. It tends to mean that something is fake-looking, cheaply made, or too showy. What I meant is that while I mean what I am saying, it probably comes across as being something I said just to sound good.
1 person likes this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 Jun 07
lol, thanks for the explanation. It really sounded good, so you are the only one who should know if it was cheap fake... But if I was here to prove its authenticity, I would ask you where your idea came from...
It rembers me a buddhistic story to explain reincarnations, "when you light a candle, then you turn it off, then you light it again, is it the same fire?... It is like the reincarned soul, the same but different...".
So was it related to that, or does it have another origin?
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 Jun 07
Hi Lecanis!
I was waiting for your answer here, and also I woul like to knwo your point about http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1149120.aspx#up_BiGIWkqnD8YsxKp7wrp88Uzouo585I2h%2f6vhjuRt0FU%3d . Please get there when you have a moment.
I don't know what "cheesy" means, but I loved this post!
1 person likes this
@Darkhorse1311 (418)
• India
17 Jun 07
Hi missak.. I am not so sure about the relation to gods and godess..But yes I do accept the candle has a universal appeal as far as metaphysics is concerned.But for me ,if I have to think out of the box,be less practical and more imaginative,thinking of miracles and magic(which i do) then I prefer the moonlight to the candle..Its much more soothing for me.You know lying in the grass and just looking at the moon..makes me feel like I belong to a different world..Neways those r my thoughts ..thx for this topic
1 person likes this
@saralee1 (1983)
• United States
21 Jun 07
There is something very special about candles, indeed!
(and, you meant metaphysics, right?) I light candles. the flame is soothing to me. I do not even have to have a reason, really. I just lit a candle for you, may peace, light and love flow your way.
@missak (3311)
• Spain
21 Jun 07
That is wonderful. Peace. Metaphysics (so that is the correct spelling, thank you) I call all about god, spirit, magik, spiritual energies, souls, angels, goo vibrations... anything that is not purely physical. And the feeling you described is not totally physical, right?
@onedollar (781)
• Belgium
17 Jun 07
I think it is because candles were light before Edison came along. Light represents energy like sunlight. Also the bible refers to light. Light also guides you through darkness.
I guess if lightbulbs would have existed hundreds of years ago you mind have been talking about lightbulbs
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
16 Jun 07
I use candles every time I want to contact my Goddess and God, during ritual. I use them for meditation, for healing purposes, for protection purposes... you name it. I have different colours for different reasons and I dress my candles with appropriate oils for the occasion.
Brightest Blessings, my friend.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
17 Jun 07
I do use candles during religious practice, they are very symbolic in the faith I practice, however, they do not make me "feel" something relevant. Although, they do appeal to some of the senses, and the externals such as this do help to foster the internals of faith.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
17 Jun 07
A candle burns in the window awaiting the return of a loved one. A candle burns on the altar to represent the God and Goddess, to represent the four basic elements, earth, fire, air, and water. A candle burns for proseperity, for emlightenment. a candle burns in vigil of a lost loved one. A candle burns to represent the light of God or his beloved son. A candle burns in memory of a loved too soon departed. Candles lit our homes, lit our lives, guided us through the darkness. Candles to me, signify people united. All people great and small, black and white, wealthy and poor. Candles unite us all, while holding different meanings for each and every person, we all burn candles. May your candle guide you to where your heart belongs.
1 person likes this
@jc_star10 (953)
• Indonesia
17 Jun 07
Candle to me is reflecting a relaxation. I used to light a candle and using some burner or essence burner to help me felt relax. There are some aromatherapy candle that are easy to buy, and very in beauty shape. Sometimes it will on heart shape or even flower shape. And for candle used in religion, I always thought that it's a symbol for giving light to other people.
1 person likes this
@nampoothiripad (601)
• India
17 Jun 07
Well, durinng any worship the first thing we do is the light the lamp.( Oil lamp). According to our belief, every pray or functions is to be done before "Agni" (fire or light). Because Agni is the only thing which can purify everything thing without making impure its "body".
1 person likes this
@Logos_1 (52)
• United States
16 Jun 07
Catholics light a a big Easter Candle to represent the presence of the risen Christ. A big fire is lit on Holy Saturday night. All other lights are turned off. The minister lights the easter candle form the new fire. The deacon then, carries the only lit candle and sings "Lumen Christi". All other candles that the people brought are lit subsequently. Finally, when the when candle reaches the sanctuary, the a jubilation is sung. The power of darkness flees. The light of Christ is brightly lit. I wanted to add this report to the Candle and Metaphysics discussion.
