Divine Light: Profile of Swami Radha

Divine Light Invocation

I am created by Divine Light.

I am sustained by Divine Light.

I am protected by Divine Light.

I am surrounded by Divine Light.

I am ever growing into Divine Light.

The Divine Light Invocation is a beautiful practice from a truly great spiritual leader: Swami Radha.  It is mentally chanted while standing with feet a foot apart, eyes closed and body strong with energy and tension.  As you repeat the invocation, visualize a shower of white light shimmering down upon you, entering your skin and filling your body.  Once you feel alive in the light, visualize a friend and send the light to her.  See the light stream from your heart to hers, filling her whole body with the light.  Next, visualize a stranger and send the light to her.  Finally, visualize your enemy and send the light to her.  This is how love and peace are spread: through the gift of Divine Light.

Swami Radha was one of the first people to bring yoga to the Western world.  She was born Sylvia Demitz in 1911 Berlin.  Full of creativity and artistic ability, she established a successful career as a concert dancer.  Unfortunately, that graceful life changed with the outbreaks of World Wars I and II.  During the war, her husband was killed by the Gestapo when he tried to help Jews escape persecution.  After the war Demitz married again, this time to a composer who created music for her dance.  Sadly, she lost him a year later to a sudden stroke.

Searching for meaning in life after witnessing the atrocities of war and the tragic losses to two husbands, Demitz turned to meditation.  One day her guru, Swami Sivananda Sarawati of Rishikesh, India, appeared to her while mediating.  She followed her vision to India and studied with him.  In 1956 she became the first woman to ever take the Indian vows of renunciation called the Sanyas.  During the ceremony she received her spiritual name: Swami Sivananda Radha (Radha means cosmic love.).  Her guru soon sent her to Canada to share the teachings of yoga with the West.

In 1962 Swami Radha founded the Yasodhara Ashram in British Columbia.  Her teachings helped people live purposeful, balanced lives.  She strongly emphasised karma yoga, or selfless service.  She also blended her dance background with her spirituality by creating radiant sacred dances.  She taught the Hidden Language of Hatha Yoga, Dream Analysis and much more.  She was interested in helping people define their spirituality within their own understanding of the world.  Swami Radha established Timeless Books, Ascent Magazine and teaching centers called Radha Houses.  In 1995 she passed away, yet her teachings remain full of life.  Her Ashram, publishing house, and centers remain active in spreading her lessons of yoga and spirituality.

Outside the yoga world, she is perhaps not as well-known as she should be.  Her teachings are very practical and accessible.  I encourage you to delve into her work and explore.  She should be revered as a great spiritual teacher and an incredible woman.  Here are links to Yasodhara Ashram and Timeless Books.

Namaste.