Some weeks back, we were with friends who had their own beeswax candle making set. We made a Buddha candle using a mold. It was so beautiful that for the longest time, I resisted burning it.

Finally, in the last two weeks of December (last year) during some periods of solitude, I felt the irony of attachment to the Buddha's image and lit the candle just before going to bed. When I woke up, a strange sight awaited me.


The Buddha's face was partially intact from the front. When I looked from the top, here is what I saw:

After burning, the candle had hollowed out embodying an emptiness that had merged with the fullness of everything. All that's left now is a shell that allows the play of emptiness and fullness to be somewhat relatable.

What a blessing to have this reminder of impermanence. This is the first time in my life that a candle has delivered such a deep teaching!