Seeing within changes one's outer vision.
-Joseph Chilton Pearce
-Joseph Chilton Pearce
Did you know that Christmas was once banned in Boston? The Puritans apparently viewed the celebration as a form of English decadence. In modern America it's all a fuss about Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Let's give it up and not even take part in that conversation, it's bad for digestion and circulation.
I was raised in the Buddhist faith but we always had a tree, exchanged gifts, believed in Santa Claus and said "Merry Christmas". I have never spent a single Christmas in the snow but a brisk,cool Hawaiian breeze instantly evokes the sound of sleigh bells and the scent of a pine tree. "Merry Christmas" releases a flood of endorphins within me so my memories of Christmas are all good and I intend to keep it that way.
This year I'm trying something new. I read an article in the December issue of Ode Magazine that suggests turning the Twelve Days of Christmas into a few minutes of reflection each evening from December 25 through January 5. Here's what's been suggested by Lynn Jericho, a counselor in New Jersey:
Will it end with an Epiphany, or Darsana, at the end of Twelve Days? Hopefully, it will be more than the vision of one mynah bird in one papaya tree. Merry Christmas!
I was raised in the Buddhist faith but we always had a tree, exchanged gifts, believed in Santa Claus and said "Merry Christmas". I have never spent a single Christmas in the snow but a brisk,cool Hawaiian breeze instantly evokes the sound of sleigh bells and the scent of a pine tree. "Merry Christmas" releases a flood of endorphins within me so my memories of Christmas are all good and I intend to keep it that way.
This year I'm trying something new. I read an article in the December issue of Ode Magazine that suggests turning the Twelve Days of Christmas into a few minutes of reflection each evening from December 25 through January 5. Here's what's been suggested by Lynn Jericho, a counselor in New Jersey:
- Dec. 25-RECEPTIVITY. What gifts from the universe have you declined to accept or acknowledge?
- Dec. 26-GENEROSITY. Think of three people and what you can give of yourself to them.
- Dec. 27-HUMILITY. Think about how humility can become a great source of strength and power for you.
- Dec. 28-NOBILITY. Make a list of people from whose noble qualities you can learn.
- Dec. 29-SOLIDITY. For 12 minutes, simply feel your soul's solidity.
- Dec. 30-FLUIDITY. Consider the importance of flow to your well-being and happiness.
- Dec. 31-LUMINOSITY. Look back at your darkest moments of the last year, and remember what qualities in yourself and others lit the way for you.
- Jan. 1-REFLECTIVITY. Let an image from the outer world settle in your mind and write down five thoughts you associate with it. Reflect on it and how you might transform it.
- Jan. 2-EQUANIMITY. Pick a recent event and review it in light of various possible emotions like happiness, anger and fear.
- Jan. 3-FECUNDITY. Celebrate the richness of your imagination. Hold this vision and then plan tomorrow's activities. Keep it alive during the day.
- Jan. 4-SAGACITY. Think of yourself as an elder who has learned from the trials and triumphs of experience. What are some profound lessons?
- Jan. 5-UNITY. What ideas, yearnings, themes or insights have come together for you through the holidays?
Will it end with an Epiphany, or Darsana, at the end of Twelve Days? Hopefully, it will be more than the vision of one mynah bird in one papaya tree. Merry Christmas!
For those who just want to be entertained:
*Watch Lynn Jericho's Inner Christmas movie. NOTE (12/26/07): According to Lynn, the Ode Magazine article printed the 2006 Twelve Nights list. If you sign up for her list this year, it will be different from what I have above.
*The 12 Days of Christmas (YouTube, Straight No Chaser). A beautiful, a capella rendition.
*12 Days of Christmas from the Rainbow Warriors for football fans.
Photo of the Pantheon in Rome: by Soren Daalsgard from Astronomy Picture of the Day