Remembering Who You Truly Are Is the Essence of the Holidays

As we get closer to the holidays, I find solace in the teachings that unite all religious and spiritual traditions: the celebration of the return of the light.

The returning of the light is not only from our sun, but the remembering of who we truly are, the spark of divine light that lives in our heart.

In the yogic tradition, this light is known as Purusa. In traditional Chinese medicine, it's known as the Shan Shen. In Christianity, it is referred to as the Kingdom of God within, and in Judaism, as the Ohr, the spark of the soul. All of these teachings are pointing to the same spark of the great, ever-pervading universal love and light that we came from and will return to.

This light that came in with us when we entered life, and will leave with us when we leave life.

In the darkest and coldest days, this is the light that guides us from fear and separation to our shared humanity. And the more we remember this light, the more we have access to it as our inner guide.

Meditating on this divine light provides a remembering that we are this light housed in this temporary physical body, personality, and circumstances. A daily devotion to this light gives us a sense of security and confidence.

A simple yet profound mantra to seed your meditations with is 'So Hum,' which means 'I AM' in Sanskrit. Psychologists have prescribed this mantra to their patients suffering from anxiety as a way to ground and remember the essence of their being and connection to all of life.

I too use it when I'm feeling anxious or stressed, and it immediately centers me into my SELF.

Inhale: SO, Exhale: HUM.

Sharing this light of warmth, generosity, kindness, and love is the most important gift we can give to others.

Seeing the light in others, by witnessing their goodness, strengths, talents, and uniqueness, and letting them know that you see it, is a gift they'll never forget.

May this holiday be full of light, warmth, and connection.

Hope to breathe with you soon.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie