Last night, I played some Christmas carols out with a friend to raise some money for the local women’s shelter. Well, really I just played some carols with a friend. The other part was a bonus. He brought me a santa hat and we ran through a fine list of the classics, and it was really something special. This year, I have so much loving spirit and gratitude and I just want to reflect that back in some way ALL THE TIME. It really doesn’t matter how.
I teach this one yoga class and I was explaining the word namaste to them a few weeks back. When I explained the meaning is something like “the divine in me sees the divine in you” they all nodded, and seemed to understand that deeply. I have also heard an expression that I absolutely love that is an extension for me of this word of greeting. “When I love the world, the world loves me back.” It is to open your heart and mind to that lovingkindness that believes in the fundamental good in people, places and things and, when you do… it reflects right back at you. Another pithy line: “We see things as we are, not as they are.”
I have found this to be all so true.
So I wanted to make a little card for my students (seems silly to call them that, for all they teach ME!) to thank them for being a part of my practice and my circle of friends. And it seemed quite obvious that this was the sentiment I felt most deeply, for each and every one of my new yoga friends I have made this year.
When I was in teacher training, they had several classes geared towards warning us of the evils of cultural appropriation. I listened, and immediately removed the om symbol necklace I had been wearing for years, and upon which so many beautiful conversations about love, about peace, and about God have sprouted. I also removed the use of “Namaste” from my classes, out of that same wish for respect. But time and much prayer has brought me right back around to why I brought both of these things into my life in the first place. They spoke deeply to me and roused something in my heart, something that I had no other word or symbol for.
So I joyously herald the good news of all that this season celebrates, and with that the true desire to hold lovingkindness in my heart and mind, and to see the divine everywhere that I look, and name it. And that includes having a small charm around my neck to fondle, or catch glimpse of whenever I see an image of my own self. To remind me that like you, I, too, am of that same divine spirit.
All one.
May your season be bright <3
