Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
There
are a number of 'holidays' going on around the globe during this month… well
the truth is each month of the year holds days of special-focus worship
somewhere in the world. It is a joyous thing to share in festivals with which
you are not familiar, as it will give a window onto a wider view of life as
well as give scope to enrich and strengthen your own belief. What, of course,
must be guarded against is seeing practices which differ from your own as being
a threat. It is also a mistake, in celebrating one's own festivals, to seal
them into a box and say 'this is mine, behave like me or leave'.
All
who walk in pure spirit will embrace the differences, seek out the
commonalities.
What
is considered important, however, is that
the true 'Holy' in these focus days is suitably acknowledged. So few people now
know (or remember) that 'holiday' is just the corruption of language from Holy
Day. As early as the 10th century it was recorded that, in respect to offices
of a special day on the religious (Christian) calendar, everyone was expected
to down tools and make activity devotional. As the centuries marched along and
workforces formed guilds, the concept of taking a day from work purely for
recreational purposes began to take hold. They were still on or around the Holy
Days, but not always were the devotional aspects enforced; the Old English
Dictionary reports holidays are
"days on which ordinary occupations, of individual or community,
are suspended; a day of exemption or cessation from work; a day of festivity,
recreation or amusement."
All
bases covered then!
It
is also worth noting that the word is specific to English and, therefore,
English-based societies. By default this means Christian, for it is purely
within the Catholic tradition that the term (and practice of 'vacation' of
work) arose. This does NOT mean that the Holy Days of other faiths are to be
excluded from greetings! Certainly, if you know for sure that another is of the
Christian faith, then dedicated Christmas blessings are apt. The modern trend
to wish 'Happy Holidays' in December is, however, the most appropriate greeting
when one is meeting strangers or others not of one's own cultural background.
It must also be acknowledged that there are those who hold no religious faith
at all, yet still seek to enjoy R&R with family and friends and have every
right to be wished a peaceful and joyful time. That said, it is also notable
that 'Merry Christmas' has entered the Western psyche to a similar extent that
'let's have a coffee' does not necessarily mean one must drink coffee - tea or
herbal will do equally well - therefore umbrage ought not to be taken when
greeted thus, even if it is not one's choice of festival.
In
Hinduism, there are so many 'auspicious days', that the term holiday rather
loses value. In effect, every day is considered Holy, but some are more sacred
than others. Some are shared by the entire Hindu community, others are regional
or differ according to which मार्ग/maarg
(path) is followed. For example, whether Vaishnavite or Shaivite. Then there
are festivals, as in the West, related to seasonal change, harvest, calendar
years and such like.
This
is sad. In many respects, to sit in a place or ceremony of devotion without any
focus or intention of truly worshipping, is one of the most profound
hypocrisies; it is a corruption of the soul. Many who attend Christmas (or
Easter) services, but no others throughout the year, might be seen as 'hedging
their bets'! The "...well, just in case" justification is used. What
a travesty. To have no clear conviction either way leaves one open to fear and
doubt and all the other 'mines' which can destroy the balance of life. To
attend mandir, synagogue or chapel without a level of surrender to the process
therein surely blocks the possibility of relief. Some may attend because, at
heart, they want to believe, they need to believe, but are hoping that they
will be 'struck by lightening' and not have to make any effort in developing
faith within.
If
at all there is a desire to find a connection with the Higher, no matter what
path appeals, each individual must make the first step themselves. One of the
safest and simplest places to join the path is through the great festivals of
the world. All it requires is an open heart (mind!), surrendered intellect
(genuine curiosity) and an awareness of soul ("who am 'I' and why am 'I'
here?").
The
rest is between you and That. Wherever you are on the globe, wherever you are
in your spiritual search, may this time of celebration bring you joy…