Lucia, The Return of Light: Inner Radiance, and Buddha Nature

The Light in the Darkness
In Sweden, December is a time when the sun offers only fleeting visits. The days are short, the nights long, and the darkness pervasive. Yet, amidst this, we celebrate Lucia—a luminous symbol of hope, courage, and the returning light. The image of a white-clad figure crowned with candles walking through the dark is as poignant as it is beautiful.

This tradition resonates deeply with Buddhist teachings on Buddha nature, the pure and radiant essence that lies within all beings. Just as Lucia’s light pierces the physical darkness, the realization of our inner light dispels the shadows of ignorance, revealing the spacious, luminous nature of mind.

A Memory of Light and Song
Decades ago, during my time at acting school, I was given the honor of playing Lucia. Dressed in my grandmother’s wedding gown, I walked gracefully through the school’s corridors, a procession of classmates behind me. Their voices, clear and angelic, sang the traditional hymns of Lucia, filling the air with something timeless and sacred.

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Carrying the light felt symbolic of something far greater than myself. It was as if the act of walking—surrounded by music, love, and hope—was a reflection of the spiritual journey I was about to take. In that moment, I felt deeply connected to something beyond words: the unbroken, luminous potential within each of us.

The Path to Realizing Buddha Nature
In Buddhism, Buddha nature is not something we attain but something we uncover. It is the innate, spacious clarity of our mind, present in all beings regardless of circumstances. Just as the light of Lucia shines through the darkness, our Buddha nature is always there, waiting to be recognized.

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Here are some practices to help you realize this inner radiance and spacious nature:

1. Meditate on Stillness
   Sit quietly and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, imagine spaciousness expanding within you; as you breathe out, let go of tension, thoughts, and distractions. Allow the mind to settle naturally into its clear and luminous state.
2. Reflect on Interconnectedness
   Recognize that your inner light is not separate from the world around you. Spend time contemplating how your thoughts, actions, and energy influence others and how their light uplifts you in turn.
3. Practice Loving-Kindness
   Radiate warmth toward yourself and others. Begin with yourself: silently repeat, “May I be happy, may I be peaceful, may I awaken to my inner light.” Extend this wish to others, imagining their own inner light shining brightly.
4. Observe Nature
   Spend time in nature, rest from your phone for a while, take a walk noticing how light and space exist effortlessly. Whether it’s the play of sunlight on snow or the vastness of a winter sky, let these natural elements remind you of the spacious clarity of your mind.
5. Embrace the Shadows
   Just as Lucia walks into the darkness, we can face our own shadows with courage. Bring self-compassion to your fears, doubts, and suffering. These experiences are not obstacles to your Buddha nature—they are opportunities to reveal it.

Hope, Warmth, and the Light Within
Lucia is a tradition steeped in warmth and beauty, offering solace in the year’s darkest days. Her light reminds us that no matter how deep the shadows, the dawn will come. Similarly, the realization of Buddha nature is a return to our truest self, where light and spaciousness are infinite and unchanging.

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May this season inspire you to walk gracefully through life’s corridors, guided by your inner light. And may your practice, like Lucia’s procession, illuminate the world around you, bringing hope, warmth, and joy to all beings.

Love & Light,

Lama Chimey