Happy Christmas from Caryl in Norfolk
What is the true meaning of Christmas and how shall I celebrate the holidays mindfully? This is a question I put to myself in the rush of bright Christmas lights, consumer spending and preparations for the holiday weekend.
This message – written in 1935 by the Indian saint and mystic Paramahansa Yogananda – speaks to my heart and is my message with love to all who have touched my life as clients, friends, acquaintances in the past years. Among the things he wrote so poetically:
Earth-bound possessions and glory all fade away, but God-bound possessions hold through eternity, serving with supreme usefulness. Why worship material comfort on the altar of change? Learn to adore spiritual comfort in the temple of indestructibility. The best way to convert earthly accumulations into imperishable heavenly treasure is to use them for spiritual service. Christ must be lived to be known. In all good actions, in every material and spiritual service, and in the manger of meditation, the immortal Cosmic Christ is born anew.
None can know about that Christ by reading books on theology; one must feel his presence in the bower of deep meditation. In the cradle of meditation-tuned thoughts, woven with tender twigs of devotion, behold the newborn Christ, lulled by the cooing dove of inner peace.
Build your inner Christmas tree through meditation, love and inner contemplation, says Yogananda. And then...
At the foot of this inner Christmas tree lay all your material desires, to be presented once and forever to the Christ Joy within you.
You can read Yogananda’s entire beautiful Christmas message here: http://www.yogananda-srf.org/Self-Realization-Magazine/A_Christmas_Message.aspx
Great blessings, light and love to you all. Caryl
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Caryl,
that also resonates with me and I really like your photo…. but it looks soooooo………… cold.
Have a lovely Christmas and congratulations to your anniversary I can’t believe it’s already 4 years we’ve been to your wedding!!!!!
Lots of Love
Birgit & Michael
hi Ca,
Lovely words and thoughts at a busy time of the year when rushing and traffic seem to prevail more than peace and quiet. I like the the idea of an inner Christmas tree, having had such fun putting up the outer one! I also had a thought about lighting up our inner tree, to shine for the world! We are off for a week at the beach, in contrast to your snow and chill, but it does look very Christmasy and you manage to bring some warmth into the pic! All the best to you and Nick on your anniversary today and many more.
Love Sha
Thanks Birgit – well it is cold enough for me to wear layers plus a snow jacket because that way when it hovers even several degrees above freezing – I keep snug and warm. And yes time has flown delightfully since our wedding day …all one long “baby boomer honeymoon” which continues now!
Sha – what a wonderful idea – LIGHTING UP OUR INNER XMAS TREE to shine for the world – enjoy the sunshine Christmas in South Africa – grateful that I’ve got my love to keep me warm in the meantime!!!
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