The sound of tinkling bells from the nearby Church … the melodious chorus of Christmas carols … family get-togethers and feasts … surprise for little kids by Santa … Isn’t Christmas the most exciting time of the year? With the whole spirit of celebration, you feel completely rejuvenated. But what most people look forward to every year is decorating their Christmas tree with their loved ones.
Did you know that with regular
meditation, you could attain the
qualities of the Christmas Tree -
an evergreen smile, sharp focus
like its sharp leaves, and a
perfect balance? So keep meditating
and become a Christmas tree
yourself!
As I was decorating mine this year, something just struck me. There is another experience which is so similar to a Christmas tree, something which is so evergreen, so refreshing, so full of gifts and surprises, and so joyful. It’s meditation! Surprised? Let’s see how.
Alive Every Season!
Did you know that in earlier days, people used to believe that keeping a Christmas tree would keep them away from negativity? This is because it stays green and alive in the white snow.
In the same way, daily practice of meditation adds value to our life. The benefits of meditation are ever green. Summer or winter, day or night, whenever we meditate, we feel calm and relaxed, refreshed and energetic.
In tough times, when nothing else seems to work, meditation brings clarity of mind to take the right action. At other times, it sustains the happiness quotient and keeps it high.
Tip – Make your meditation practice evergreen by making a point to meditate every day. If you haven’t started yet, get started this Christmas!
Full of Gifts and Surprises
How exciting is it to open Christmas presents lying next to the Christmas tree! They give us a ‘wow’ feeling, don’t they?
Nancy Marwah, a regular meditator for two years, experienced the same ‘wow’ feeling.
This Christmas, start the celebration with meditation. Invite all your friends over and enjoy the experience of
meditating in a group.
“I sang for the first time on the last day of my Advanced Meditation Course. I had never sung before. In fact, I did not even know that I could sing. Meditating for long hours during the course filled me with so much joy that I felt like expressing it. So I sang, and the next thing I knew everyone was complimenting me. I have now joined classes to enhance my singing skills but meditation helped me discover the talent. It was like having received a gift of singing”.
Our meditation cal also be full of surprises, giving us new experiences every day. We might also discover some talents and tap the immense potential that we have.
Tip – This Christmas, be a Santa to yourself and your close ones. Gift a smile by making yourself and others experience an Online Guided Meditation.
Keeps the Spirit of Celebration High
Have you seen how a well-lit and decorated Christmas tree fills you with a sense of joy and celebration? How can we be joyful all day and celebrate every moment of our life?
“Meditation fulfils the natural tendency of human life to look for a joy that does not diminish.” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Think about it – Is there any escape from problems and tough times? Possibly not. But the choice to smile through such times lies with us - meditation gives us the strength and ability to move on having taken the appropriate action. So, irrespective of challenges or pleasant experiences, our smile remains unshakeable.
Tip – This Christmas, start the celebration (Christmas party) with meditation. Invite all your friends over and enjoy the experience of meditating in a group. Other days, you could start your day with a morning meditation and feel the refreshing effect all day long.
Deeply Rooted Yet Touching the Sky
Have you seen how a Christmas tree is deeply rooted into the ground or pot and yet points towards the sky? Its deep roots enable the tree to be strong and remain standing.
Just like the Christmas tree, don’t we aspire to touch the sky with our dreams and ambitions? But for that, it’s essential to have deep roots (focus, commitment and passion). This is where meditation helps. Daily practice of meditation gives clarity of mind, helps to improve focus and to achieve what you aspire for. Karan Singh, a regular meditator for one year, echoes this thought when he says, “Meditation gives me the feeling that I can achieve anything.” It fills us with a sense of passion that drives us towards our goal stress-free.
Tip – To calm your mind with meditation, it might be ideal to look for a quiet corner. This will ensure that you are free from distractions and have a nice, deep meditation.
As you practice meditation regularly, you also start attaining the qualities of the Christmas Tree – an evergreen smile, sharp focus like its sharp leaves and a perfect balance. So keep meditating and become a Christmas tree yourself!
Here is a little Christmas message from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – “Each one of you is a special gift on the planet! You are the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is pointing upwards and its branches grow on all sides, and we all have that capacity to blossom to the fullest of the human potential. At the time of year when no tree bears anything, the Christmas tree has many gifts to offer and it is evergreen throughout the year. A Christmas tree bears the gifts and the lights not for itself, but for all. The gifts you are carrying in your life are for others. You offer the gift of service to anyone in need and you will wonder how your needs are being taken care of!”
Inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's wisdom talks
By Divya Sachdev
Based on inputs by Bharathy Harish, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Expert
