“Establish in yourself a temple of beauty and peace; there you will find God, on the altar of your soul.”
~Paramahansa Yogananda
The changing seasons and the holidays that accompany them give us reason to pause. Through rich symbolism and traditions that have been passed down through the generations, along with grace, we receive the gift of beauty. At this time, we have the auspicious opportunity to cultivate rituals that carry heart and meaning.
Just as the trees drop their leaves to prepare for new growth, it is also a beautiful time to consider what traditions and tendencies that have been passed down no longer serve us. The teachings of Kriya Yoga remind us that we each radiant expressions of pure consciousness itself. Our Yoga practice lends itself to consciously releasing all that obscures our direct experience of our inherent fullness and beauty. When we cultivate an atmosphere of willingness and wonder, we experience a gradual process of unveiling.
When my children were quite young, we began a family tradition that carries us forth today. During Advent, my children would join with their peers to walk a beautiful spiral in nature created with evergreen clippings. Each child would begin the journey on their own. Navigating through the darkness, they would join us in the center where we would provide the fire to light their lantern. They would then venture out into the darkness with their light shining brightly.
The teachings of Kriya Yoga offer universal wisdom and insight into the rich significance of the season. With sincerity of heart, we can approach these ancient Vedic teachings with curiosity and experience profound reverence for the holy days before us. I hope you will join me this morning for the beginning of Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian’s satsang series The Path of Wonder accompanied by an afternoon workshop. For more information, please click here.
May you enjoy the warmth of the season and plant seeds of peace so you may be a light of hope for others. Let us dis-cover the light within and move forth ever more consciously in Joy.
Rev. Julie Hitchcock