Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the time of year when Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and prepare for his return.
I love the idea that, just like with Mary, the mother of Jesus, God somehow makes “requests” of us to enable God to manifest in the world. These requests are happening all the time, but we often miss them. Every day we are given opportunities to let the Light of God in, but we might also choose to obstruct the Light or even bring darkness instead.
From Rev. Richard Rohr: “Mary is the model of the faith to which God calls all of us: a total and unreserved YES to God’s request to be present in and to the world through us.”
“When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” – Luke 14:12-13
Commentary on this Scripture passage from Contemplative Outreach: “Jesus’ concluding remarks in this parable point to an even deeper invitation: Let go of all self-focus and move into agape, the unconditional love that seeks the well-being of others. He tells the holder of the banquet to host a meal for the neediest people with no thought of what might be received in return. In other words, we are to offer our ‘banquet’ of talents, service, and love magnanimously and without attachment to the outcome of our efforts.”
This selfless service – giving without thought about results or being repaid – is also known as Karma Yoga. Lord Krishna in chapter 3 of The Bhagavad-Gita, tells the warrior, Arjuna:
Man does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation. (3.4)
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction. (3.8)
The world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), perform actions for that sake alone, free from attachment. (3.9)
Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme. (3.19)
As the ignorant act out of attachment to action, . . . so should the wise act without attachment, wishing for the welfare of the world. (3.25)
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Do all things for the betterment of the world, in selfless service! Share a smile, pick up a piece of trash, hold a door open for someone.
May we think of the welfare of the world with each of our actions. Karma Yoga can be practiced every moment of every day.
I’m not sure what the opposite of the Type A personality is. I just know that I’ve never been into chasing “more” or competing with other people in any way. My treasures are so easily experienced moment to moment when I live a simple life. For example, I did a workout this morning then enjoyed delicious yogurt and cottage cheese for breakfast. I also watered plants in the backyard and pulled a few weeds while enjoying the beautiful morning air and the movement of birds and squirrels around me. Everything is a fulfilling spiritual experience when I’m fully present (rather than worrying about the future or rushing from one activity to the next).
Of course, my treasure is also found in being with my loved ones, and teaching Yoga every day. Doing small things to make the world a better place brings meaning into my life as well. There are so many opportunities for this when I’m really paying attention to life, when I’m centered and easeful. Peace to all!
I still have such a love for Hawaii; I lived there for over nine years. I’m just heartbroken over the fires that have destroyed Lahaina on Maui: a town full of such beauty and history. Dozens of people have died, hundreds of structures have been destroyed, thousands of people evacuated. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be there. Some dramatic online videos are available showing people slowly driving through roads with fire all around them.
And since I have always loved trees (they were my first connection to Spirit as a child), I must say I’m so sad over the scorching of Lahaina’s famous banyan tree brought from India (the birthplace of Yoga) in 1873. People in Lahaina are unsure whether it will survive. Earlier this year, the town had a 150-year “birthday party” for the tree. The tree had grown to the size of an entire city block! If you’ve never seen a banyan tree, it puts down roots from its branches which can become additional trunks of the same tree. I remember walking around underneath this fascinating tree in the 1990s. I’d never seen anything like it – so full of beauty and Spirit. I imagine many people over the years experienced times of profound meditation under this sacred tree.
My heart and my prayers are with the people of Maui during this most challenging time.
Holistic Yoga & Spiritual Guidance 