Every year you may hear the complaint that people have forgotten the true meaning of the holidays as they surge through department stores grabbing-up a limited number of hot items to give as gifts. If you know anything about the Christian holidays you know they were positioned throughout the year to replace pagan celebrations and practices as Christianity spread around the world. Before Christmas, this was a time of year when some cultures celebrated life. The green tree and lights are practices transferred from those traditions to remind people to have hope during a time of year when many worried about their ability to survive. Over time it all seems to get lost in the mix, but this is a time when we really need to believe and hope for the best.
When it comes to the overlapping symbols of the seasons... Kwanzaa, Chanukah, the birth of the Buddha, and Jesus...we are reminded of the Universal Truth that flows through them all. Whether we consider the hefty Buddha or Santa carrying a bag of gifts and laughing heartily, or the glee possessed and caused by a child born healthy, we are reminded of the importance that good humor, being jolly, and childlike, play in making it through tough times. When we forget this, we may find ourselves worrying, trying to control circumstances, and projecting our stories into the future. It's at times like these when we most benefit from remembering the symbolism of those big bellies -- Mary's, Buddha's, Santa's all represent the abundance that awaits and fulfills our perception -- unconditionally.
Oh, I know, the jingle about Santa that says he's checking his list to see who's "naughty or nice" implies that some might go without gifts. But in Truth, naught is another word for nothing. If one does not hold hope, one will manifest the hopeless. It's as simple as that. Perceptions are the difference between diamonds and coal. Zen philosophy encourages "naught" in a different way and that is to engage no thought about anything. My mother taught me the same thing -- ignore it and it will go away. But this is a time of coming together and the question is, how may we best do that?
Today there are masses who are afraid and worried, forgetting they will manifest their worst fears if they don't focus on their greatest good. Compassion is not commiserating, so it does no good to participate in the bad news. At the same time, a secret for all of us to remember is to not find anything unacceptable and that includes refraining from judging those who engage perceptions of loss, lack and limitation. When we don't lend our energy to resisting fearful naught, we can fully engage our energy in living in laughter and love. What better gift could there be for ourselves and all who come in contact with us?
The best of the season to you! I hope you have the happiest of holidays and a fabulously fun, loving new year!
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