Home for Christmas
While it’s easy to get caught up in polarities and polarization, conflict and wars, Christmas and Chanukah beckon us to come home. “Home sweet home” may conjure warm, nostalgic memories of family and faces aglow around the table, majestic melodies and tasty dishes, and special holiday aromas surrounding us.
Some may elicit these feelings, but if truth be known, not so much, for many of us. It seems that family dysfunction and loneliness are pretty rampant behind closed doors.
A recurring, dream of needing to find my way home reminds me that it’s somehow often elusive, though silent meditation opened the door many years ago.
Meditation can illumine the jewel hidden in “Be Still and KNOW that I am God.” It points to the Inner Spiritual Heart for experiencing divinity and sacredness in life.
When someone first asked me what meditation felt like, the answer that came, surprised both her and me. It was like coming Home.
Still it takes spiritual practice. God needed to be found beyond conditioning, religious dogma and patriarchal fear-based systems, domination and misogynistic devaluation of women.
Having grown up immersed in my parents’ and siblings domestic abuse and violence as well as society’s pain and struggle, finding my way to healing and Home has been my life journey. It’s an ongoing slow bloom that never ceases to be an inspiring and amazing grace. Like the gorgeous white Lotus Flower up from the mud, we’re opening layers upon layers of petals to the Sun.
Diminishing are the merry-go-round days of big ups and downs that had taken their toll. Unconscious mind, wounded inner child and everyday survival – had sought attention like “Pandora’s Box.” Awakening and becoming more aware may acquaint us with trauma, stress and grief, and the realization that, “No Pain, No Gain.”
The fruits of patience, compassionate love and kindness can come from past suffering, but joyous life is being in the present moment Here and Now, not dependent on the outside world.
It’s getting even better with the Great Planetary Shift. As embodied creative Source and Spirit, Mother Earth and higher frequencies offer faster and more vast connection, deeper wisdom, liberation and oneness. Elders provide experience, and youth may be better equipped for current challenges and changes.
Staying heart-connected as much as possible, I’m experiencing more unconditional and cosmic love, and peace with what is. Beginning with loving ourself in authenticity, we can embark on becoming the best version of who we are.
As great spiritual teachers have said, the Kingdom, Home, and Eternal Lover – are Within You.
In giving ourself utmost sweet and gentle love and beauty, healing and simple living provide even more to share with one another. This Christmas time, let’s celebrate Emanuel – divinity born in and among us!
Let Peace on Earth begin with you and me.
Joy Wilson Lone Pine