Om sarve bhavantu sukhinah. Sarve santu niraamayaah.
Sarve bhadraani pashyantu. Maa kaschid dukhbhaag bhavet.
May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy.
May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world suffer.
This ancient phrase has been translated in many different ways, but no matter what the wording, the meaning is clear. A wish for peace and happiness for all beings. Humans. Animals. Plants and rocks. Earth and stars.
I’m much more inclined to celebrate the winter solstice than the other holidays that appear in December. It feels more real to me. Mostly because I am so over the rampant commercialism that promotes the underlying message that one is not complete unless s/he has more, better, faster, stronger. What about the beauty of existence? What about the captivity of the heart in a meaningful moment? Often I am moving too fast to even appreciate the sunrise or the fleeting moments of stillness when my awareness transcends the superficial.
More connection, less consumption. Yoga and even life itself is about relationship. I want to talk to you. I want to know how you are feeling and what is going on in your life. I want to know what is true for you. How can we create more meaning together?
Look to the rhythms within nature. When the days are long and the sun is high in the sky, it is time to go outside both in reality and metaphysically. And when the days are short and the nights are long it is time to embrace the darkness, let your attention flow inward where it naturally wants to be and strengthen the inner bonds within yourself and among those who are closest. The solstice reminds us of just that. There may be less hours of sunlight right now, but on December 21 an amazing shift takes place. Days are beginning to grow longer again. It is a totally hopeful time of year.
I once went to India in early December. It was really great because I missed all of the build up to the mass-consumerism that has become the result of what initially was a sacred moment (or several sacred moments). Even the young Indian boys would wish me a Merry Christmas… they were trying to make me feel welcome and at home. It was lovely because I felt welcome and was able to practice yoga and meditation, and then I was home in time to visit with family and friends after my trip as well.
There is no India trip this year. And less physical presents for family and friends. I want to experience more of relationship and connection to those close to me than the wave of gift giving that starts with all the hype and build-up, crests with the unwrapping, and inevitably ends with a period of sadness and emptiness when all of the gifts are opened, when all of the traveling and visiting is done. What is left? Togetherness. That is the thing that is lasting.
May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world suffer.
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