Holiday Love
I have a deep connection to Chinese Spirituality. Both Buddhism and Taoism are integral parts of my spiritual core. In fact, The Tao Te Ching inspires me in ways that are hard to express. It is not uncommon for me to spend Friday evenings burning incense and pondering its sage advice.
One particular quote that encourages me deals with love: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” During a time in which we are celebrating so many sacred holidays–Ostara, Ramadan, The Birth of Buddha, Passover, and Easter to name a few–I cannot help but be moved by how holidays bring us together. Families, both by blood and by choice, gather to celebrate, remember, reflect, sing, pray, meditate and/or eat delicious holiday meals. Some will attend Easter sunrise services. Others will host Passover Seders, and some will fast from sunrise to sunset. These moments remind us that our family members, including our closest friends, deeply love us and give us the strength to go out into the world and thrive. By loving them, we have the courage to not only be a presence in the world, but to make it a better place for all beings. If we are loved, we want others to feel loved, and I believe that the power of love is a healing force.
Holiday traditions also remind us of our ancestors. During the rituals we engage in, we are connected to each person who came before us. Remember that ancestors can be non-blood related too. Each time I bathe a statue of Buddha to celebrate His birth, I feel linked to all hands who have done so, both past and present. They are my spiritual family, and my connection to them motivates me to be a presence of peace.
The season we are in is magical; it is holy, and it is undeniably special. So many of us pause our busy lives and surround ourselves with those who make our spirits radiate with goodness. These moments together can be times of thanksgiving, occasions to tell our loved ones that their compassion gives us the courage to care for the world, to see past constructed divisions and embrace the truth of humanity’s oneness.
Dear reader, remember during this season of celebrations that you are deeply loved. We are blessed to exist in a realm that gives us family in many beautiful forms. Just remember that you belong, not only during these holy times, but during all times. You belong. As part of this belonging, do not forget to be family for someone in need. Love is all it takes. Give yourself the gift of celebrating whatever sacred holiday speaks to you, and in doing so, connect with those who nourish your very existence.