The present moment... and holidays

The Buddha is said to have told his students, "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles; but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."

I couldn't help but think of that quotation this evening, as I read so many messages from students and friends, who wonder why they are stressed, depressed or anxious during the holiday season.

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.

When we hold onto these fears, whether they manifest as anger, anxiety, depression or sadness, we are creating a type of emotional/spiritual bondage -- the escape from which only we hold the key. Buddha was also said to have noted that holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned. We can say the very same thing about anxiety, depression, pleasure, pain, or any other experience.

It always seemed to me that our culture was putting the emphasis on the wrong part of these winter holidays.

For the Christian, the season is thought to culminate in the holy night of Christmas. For Jews, it's the joy of the eighth day of Chanukah. For pagans, it's the Winter Solstice itself, and so on.

Truly, these celebrations bring with them much meaning, and the sacred mythos can provide the aspirants with joy, if they allow the simplicity of those celebrations to inform their experiences; but what of the time leading up to -- and away from -- those celebrations? Isn't it what we do with the four weeks of Advent, the seven nights that precede the Eighth Night of Chanukah, the three days leading up to the Solstice, which give us the opportunity to transform our thinking, and to prepare for the Indwelling Light to be manifest more visibly in our lives?

Ought we not treat every day that follows our particular spiritual celebrations as opportunities to demonstrate that which we've embraced, by working to alleviate the suffering of others?

Buddha Sakyamuni taught, "We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them."

The imagery of a shadow is only useful, so long as we recognise that there must be a Source of Light. And we are that Light. Let us not worry about those things which might give rise to moments of depression, anxiety or even anger this next few weeks. Those things will pass. Move through them.

Let us decide to embrace the path of unity, seeing ourselves in all beings, and all beings in ourselves. Then the peace we seek from the outside, will radiate from the inside, and make the outside conform to that same peace.

Namasté!

 

 

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

 

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