For thousands of years, spiritual and religious practitioners in India, Tibet, and elsewhere have made special use of prayer bead garlands called "mala" in chanting the divine Name and other words of power. Even today, these sacred objects are believed to aid the seeker in establishing a rhythmic centering of consciousness, reconnecting him or her with the energies believed to sustain the natural world. In the spirit of this same meditative tradition, 108 original poetic insights form the body of this powerful and nuanced exploration of individual and cosmic identity, acceptance, and psychological freedom. With a thematic structure corresponding to the seven major "chakras" or energy centers of the human body, "A Light from the Shadows" guides the reader on a journey of personal revelation: from an introduction to personal mythology and its power to shape our life experience; to the role of suffering and love in the creation of identity; to the subjective nature of time, separateness, and linear causality. This unique and engaging collection of quotable wisdom is the perfect companion gift, not just for the spiritual seeker or adept, but for anyone interested in taking his or her first step towards a larger understanding of the universe and our place in it. For more information and accompanying images, readers are encouraged to visit the author's virtual gallery at www.theartofemergence.com