Dear Friend,
We send you loving thoughts during this Christmas season. May you go deep in meditation and be filled with God’s joy. Paramhansa Yogananda told his disciples, “Christ is the joy felt in meditation. Christ is the perception realized in the deepest hours of silence.”
Our Guru gave a wonderful explanation of the story of the three Wise Men following the Star of Bethlehem. These Magi were, in fact, enlightened yogis of the East – Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Sri Yukteswar. They followed the spiritual star of their inner perception, which led them to the Christ consciousness present in the baby Jesus.
Yogananda came to the West at a change of ages when people are more open to spirituality. He called his mission “The Second Coming of Christ,” and gave us the understanding and the tools to seek Christ consciousness within ourselves.
It’s a great blessing to receive his teachings and to understand and seek Christ consciousness.
Christmas Altar at Ananda Village
Here are 4 guiding lights to help you in this search:
1. Meditate Deeply
Make time especially during this holy season to meditate on Christ.
If you can, attend an all-day Christmas meditation, as Yogananda recommended. If a group meditation isn’t available to you, then go to your meditation room, or a local church, and make a deep effort to feel the presence of Christ within.
2. Ask God What Gifts You Can Offer Him
Just as the Magi arrived bearing gifts for the Christ child, feel what you, too, can give to the world.
Ask God how you can better serve Him, what more you can do to spread His love in the world. Have the courage to act, to give, and to follow wherever God leads you.
3. Know That We Each Have a Unique Gift to Give
There are billions of stars, yet each one is different. So, too, each of us is unique in what we can give God.
Don’t compare your offering to that of others. Do you know Swami Kriyananda’s Christmas song, “The Shawl of Gold”? The poor girl’s gift of a threadbare shawl turned to gold when she lovingly gave it to someone in greater need.
Realize that everyone is following their own star, offering what they can, and respect all as brothers and sisters on the journey.
4. Remember Your Goal — Christ Conciousness
The journey that the Wise Men undertook to find the Christ child was not without peril, but they persevered to the end.
No matter what challenges you face in your life, or what obstacles are in your path, be steadfast until you reach your goal. If you sincerely and deeply practice the teachings of the Great Ones, you will behold the Christ within.
We’ll close with these words from Paramhansa Yogananda:
May you have a very Merry Christmas. And may you receive the greatest gift that anyone can wish for you: the perception of the Christ spirit in your own heart.
May you feel his presence on Christmas day and every day throughout the New Year.
Open your heart to receive the wonderful gift of Light. Meditate. Meditate until you get the results. The answer is sure if you persist.
Love, serve, meditate.
In loving friendship and joy,
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Christmas blessings from your Ananda Sangha family!
