The Sacred Season

"Don't you know? The Kingdom of Heaven

is within you."

Yeshua

As we enter into the Holiday Season we can easily find ourselves overwhelmed by the constant demand of places to go, things to do and people to see. Between the shopping (even if it is online), parties and decorating we can easily find ourselves exhausted and depleted, sometimes to the point of getting sick with a cold or the flu. When you add the fact that feelings of loneliness and depression rise during the holidays, is it any wonder that so many find themselves dreading this time of year?

Yet many sages and spiritual traditions have pointed to the month of December, and the beginning of Winter, as the most powerfully transformative and spiritual season of the year. Not only is it the time when we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, but it is also the time of the Winter Solstice, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. Besides these holidays, Buddhist's around the world commemerate Bodhi Day on Dec. 8; the day of the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. On the Winter Solstice, which happens on December 21st this year, the earth begins it's long winter rest so that it can regenerate and get ready for the new growth of Spring.

According to the Taoist Masters, this is when the deepest and most powerful Yin (feminine) energy is flowing from Mother Earth, bringing forth the qualities of Stillness, Silence, and rejuvenation for all who are open to receiving these gifts. In the same way, we too are called to slow down during this sacred time, listen deeply and allow ourselves to rest and heal our bodies, minds and spirits. The promise - and miracle - of the Solstice is that, at the moment of the deepest darkness, the light of the sun is already returning to us, and the days then become progressively longer as we make our return to the new growth of spring.

This time of year also calls to us to let go of our habitual 'doing', and instead to relax, breathe and allow ourselves to Be. If we actually allow ourselves to slow down and listen to the call of our own hearts during this powerful time, we might feel the pull to nourish our bodies with warming foods, take a walk in nature, get more sleep, or meditate and feel the Stillness within, and around us. This can lead to the deep healing and rejuvenation that our bodies, minds and spirits are yearning for. As you honor the Sacred Season this year, I encourage you to take advantage of this powerfully transformative time by turning your focus to the 'Kingdom within', and open yourself to the true gifts that are available to you there; the deepest Stillness within your own body, the Silence within your own Being, and the All-encompassing Love and Light within your own heart. What better 'gifts' can you possibly give to yourself, to others and to the world around you?