“Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
Lead me from darkness to Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality.
Om. Peace. Peace. Peace.”
— Asato Ma Sad Gamaya
Some words have the power to quiet the mind.
Others have the power to awaken the soul.
The ancient Sanskrit mantra Asato Ma Sad Gamaya does both.
When I first encountered these words, I appreciated their beauty. But the longer I have walked this path of reinvention, the more I realize this isn’t simply a prayer to recite—it is an invitation to live differently.
At 78 years old, after walking through seasons of loss, uncertainty, healing, and extraordinary joy, I hear these words in a new way.
They have become my compass.
Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
How much of our lives is spent chasing what ultimately doesn’t matter?
Approval.
Achievement.
Accumulating more.
Trying to become someone we think we’re supposed to be.
For many years, I believed that if I just worked harder, achieved more, weighed less, pleased everyone, or finally became “enough,” happiness would arrive.
But none of those things could give me what I was searching for.
Real peace doesn’t come from the outside.
It comes from remembering who we already are beneath the roles, the fears, the expectations, and the stories we’ve inherited.
Reinvention doesn’t require becoming someone new.
It asks us to return to who we’ve always been.
Lead me from darkness to Light.
Every life includes darkness.
Grief.
Disappointment.
Trauma.
Loneliness.
Fear.
I’ve experienced my share of each.
Yet I have learned something I never could have discovered without walking through those difficult seasons:
Darkness is not the opposite of Light.
Often, it is where Light is born.
Healing didn’t happen because my past disappeared.
Healing happened because I stopped allowing my past to define my future.
Little by little, yoga softened my body.
Meditation quieted my mind.
Community opened my heart.
Service gave my life deeper meaning.
Each small choice became another step toward the Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality.
I no longer hear this as simply referring to physical death.
I hear it as an invitation to let the false self die.
To release old identities.
Old fears.
Old resentments.
Old stories about what is possible.
Every time we choose forgiveness over bitterness…
Curiosity over certainty…
Love over fear…
Something new is born within us.
That part of us never grows old.
That part is timeless.
My Three Living Teachers
When I look at my own life, I realize this mantra is already unfolding through what I call my Three Jewels.
Osher Lifelong Learning reminds me that growth never ends. Every class, every conversation, every shared insight reinforces that we are lifelong students.
Lila Yoga Studio reminds me to return home to my breath, my body, and the present moment. The mat teaches lessons words never could.
First Unitarian Church reminds me that a meaningful life isn’t lived alone. We heal, learn, and serve together in community.
These three communities continue to shape me in profound ways. Together, they embody learning, reflection, service, and growth—the very values I strive to live each day.
Soon I will add another beautiful chapter through my Davidji Meditation Teacher Training, deepening my practice and sharing these timeless teachings with others.
The Real Miracle
People sometimes ask me what has changed most during these years of reinvention.
It isn’t simply that I’ve become healthier.
Or happier.
Or calmer.
The greatest transformation is this:
I trust Life now.
Not because I know exactly what comes next.
But because I know I can meet whatever comes with an open heart.
That is freedom.
Your Reflection
Take a quiet moment today and ask yourself:
- Where in my life am I chasing something that isn’t truly real?
- What darkness might actually be preparing me for greater Light?
- What old story is ready to be released?
- What part of my authentic self is asking to emerge?
You don’t have to answer all at once.
Simply begin.
One breath.
One choice.
One loving step at a time.
That is enough.
A Practice for Today
Close your eyes.
Place one hand on your heart.
Take three slow breaths.
Silently repeat:
“Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
Lead me from darkness to Light.
Lead me from fear to Love.
May my life become a reflection of peace.”
Sit in silence for a few moments and simply notice what arises.
Sometimes the deepest wisdom isn’t something we discover.
It’s something we remember.
About the Author
Sandi Greene is a writer, meditation guide, teacher, and lifelong learner dedicated to helping people create lives of greater clarity, purpose, joy, and well-being through The Art of Living Well.
Her work is inspired by the timeless wisdom of A Course in Miracles, Davidji Meditation, yoga philosophy, and the transformative power of mindfulness, reflection, and authentic community.
Sandi is an Instructor and Ambassador with the University of Utah Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where she teaches courses that encourage lifelong learning, meaningful connection, and personal growth. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, teaches New Member classes, and facilitates small groups that foster belonging and thoughtful conversation.
Whether through her writing, meditation, teaching, or individual conversations, Sandi invites others to reconnect with their inner wisdom and discover that nothing essential is missing.
The Art of Living Well • Meditation • A Course in Miracles • Osher Lifelong Learning • Well-Being
