INTRODUCTION
In the movie "Pleasantville", the phenomenon of color seeping into a black and white world symbolizes the awakening of individuality, complexity, and a more nuanced understanding of the world, as well as the spread of new ideas into the rigidly black-and-white society. Our spiritual growth and awakening is sort of like this: a shift from a predictable existence to a more vibrant and potentially chaotic, yet ultimately richer reality.
In the movie "Pleasantville", the phenomenon of color seeping into a black and white world symbolizes the awakening of individuality, complexity, and a more nuanced understanding of the world, as well as the spread of new ideas into the rigidly black-and-white society. Our spiritual growth and awakening is sort of like this: a shift from a predictable existence to a more vibrant and potentially chaotic, yet ultimately richer reality.
Light, Prisms and Rainbow
In 1665, Isaac Newton was a young scientist studying at Cambridge University in England. He was very interested in learning all about light and colors. One bright sunny day, Newton darkened his room and made a hole in his window shutter, allowing just one beam of sunlight to enter the room. He then took a glass prism and placed it in the sunbeam. The result was a spectacular multicolored band of light just like a rainbow. The multicolored band of light is called a color spectrum.
The rainbow colors seen with a prism are caused by dispersion, a phenomenon where white light is split into its constituent colors. This happens because different colors of light have different wavelengths and refract (bend) at different angles as they pass through the prism. Because each color is refracted differently, each bends at a different angle, resulting in a fanning out and separation of white light into the colors of the spectrum.
A similar phenomenon happens when sunlight and rain cross paths - the result is a rainbow.
In modern history, the diverse colors of the prism and rainbow have become a symbol of hope and new life. Many people who feel trapped by their life's struggles use the image of the rainbow to represent their yearning for freedom and agency. After all, the presence of a rainbow is a sign that light has penetrated through the dark storm.
For others, the colors of the rainbow is a reminder of our diverse strengths and unique gifts. As framed in the song "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper in the 80's (and sung as cover version by Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick for the film Trolls), part of the task of engaging life towards our thriving and flourishing is to let our true colors shine through:
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
In 1665, Isaac Newton was a young scientist studying at Cambridge University in England. He was very interested in learning all about light and colors. One bright sunny day, Newton darkened his room and made a hole in his window shutter, allowing just one beam of sunlight to enter the room. He then took a glass prism and placed it in the sunbeam. The result was a spectacular multicolored band of light just like a rainbow. The multicolored band of light is called a color spectrum.
The rainbow colors seen with a prism are caused by dispersion, a phenomenon where white light is split into its constituent colors. This happens because different colors of light have different wavelengths and refract (bend) at different angles as they pass through the prism. Because each color is refracted differently, each bends at a different angle, resulting in a fanning out and separation of white light into the colors of the spectrum.
A similar phenomenon happens when sunlight and rain cross paths - the result is a rainbow.
In modern history, the diverse colors of the prism and rainbow have become a symbol of hope and new life. Many people who feel trapped by their life's struggles use the image of the rainbow to represent their yearning for freedom and agency. After all, the presence of a rainbow is a sign that light has penetrated through the dark storm.
For others, the colors of the rainbow is a reminder of our diverse strengths and unique gifts. As framed in the song "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper in the 80's (and sung as cover version by Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick for the film Trolls), part of the task of engaging life towards our thriving and flourishing is to let our true colors shine through:
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What did you find to be the most important part of the story? What resonated with you?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
- Notice moments in your life that feel dark - moments when feel like light is unable to penetrate through the stormy clouds.
- Notice moments when light was able to penetrate through the dark clouds.
- What would the rainbow colors represent in your life? What are the beautiful colors within yourself that need to be embraced, affirmed and validated so that you can thrive and flourish?
