Celebration for the regeneration- Greeting the New Year.

2009-02-01T07:37:00.005-06:00

There are many rituals connected with one’s approach to a new year in order to attract beneficial possibilities in one’s life. There are those who scrub their homes the last day of the old year, leave the bucket by the door and toss it out on New Year’s Day. There is a Japanese custom of buying a blank-eyed daruma doll typically sold in temples-you make a New Year's wish and paint in one eye. If the wish is granted later in the year, you paint in the other eye.

Cabbage and black-eyed peas are "good luck" foods consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of money. Oyster stew is consumed for fertility in the New Year. Getting drunk on New Year's Eve is an ancient rite that was once religious in character… a personal re-enacting of cosmic chaos that existed before ordered cosmos was created by a divine being. The loud noises and fireworks represent driving away evil spirits in one’s life before the New Year begins.

My personal favorite ritual concerns a realm of metaphysical thought relating what transpires on the first 12 days of January to vibrational aspects for the correlating months ahead. Keeping that in mind helped me to determine consciously how I began each morning and how I continued throughout the day.

Starting the day, I lit special incense fragrances and gave thanks to my Divine for opening inner doorways, removing obstacles and meeting challenges, however big or small. When we were in India we bought a special cd composed of ancient Vedic chants performed by Temple priests designed to bring vibrations of wealth and abundance into one’s existence. After lighting the incense I played this cd considering it appropriate as 2008 was not an experience I wished to repeat in the financial realm of my life.

In December 2008 after two years of trust/challenges, the Universe brought the opportunity of a new job into my life. As of this writing I've been there a month living in the honeymoon phase. As it wanes, I have come to realize that while on many levels this work is a wonderful environment and great match for my talents, it also has the normal challenges one can expect working in close quarters with diverse personalities. I've been reminded I cannot expect to please everyone or expect all to accept me without judgment. I've had other buttons pushed reminding me there are areas within I might choose to explore and heal...to see the Divine in those who irritate me/push those buttons.

Upon reflection, I decided to work with bringing more Light into my daily experience. There are many roads to accomplish this and one of them is meditation. Years ago I took a Transcendental Meditation course and attempted to incorporate it into my daily routine but I was not in a great lifestyle space at that time and lacked the discipline to follow through. I also had an inner block regarding the Maharishi- after listening to others and observing their responses to Maharishi I strongly felt that on some level he had set himself up for guru worship which immediately set off my inner alarm system. As a result of my upbringing I wanted no part of anything that smacked of worshiping another human- setting them up on pedestals, making them more and me less. Meditation went by the wayside, discarded with other modalities I'd explored/ become tired of.

I’ve since come to realize there are many forms of meditation- quietly and consciously breathing for a set amount of time, quietly following a word/mantra for a set amount of time, using a guided meditation tape while awake or falling asleep, and last but not least living one’s life in a meditative state as much as possible. Walking is Zen. Sitting is Zen. Walking alert and joyfully- sitting without motivation- being at ease with oneself. Talking or silent- the essence is being at ease. Do what you do but at your inner core feel the ease, calmness and centered-ness.

For me, living a meditative life means that when challenging situations arise I remember to quiet down, take a few deep breaths into my body, feel what the situation truly is…and importantly why it is triggering a particular response. It is about taking a correct action rather than reacting from stress/anger/fear. I’m doing more looking at my own behaviour and actions- seeing if they reflect a heart of love, kindness and forgiveness.

Meditating is showing me more of who I really am- who all of us really are. The more I draw upon my personal Source, the stronger I become in my Human/Divine form on this planet. Secure in this I have no need for competitive feelings with others and am able to celebrate their Divinity as well. (laughing) I will admit some days are easier than others, however.

I look forward to this new chapter in my life with enthusiasm. In the past I took pride in my battle scars whilst fighting the currents. The past year especially taught me life is easier going with the flow. Watchfully alert, joyously, centered, unmotivated, loving, flowing…walking from experience to experience. Love combined with an open heart is all the guidance required. I extend this feeling to all who read these words, sharing the walk….Happy Beginnings to a great New Year!!!

Within Without

Celebration for the regeneration- Greeting the New Year.