Christmas reminds us of the birth of the Christ-consciousness love in all beings. The winter solstice is the rebirth of the sun into the spring cycle, when sleeping consciousness blooms from dormancy. Together, they awaken our own Christ-consciousness and the connection to the yamas, ethical guidelines, from the Yoga Sutra. The second chapter (II.29-45) outlines these ethical guidelines that are sometimes referred to as five of the “10 Commandments” of yoga. These guideposts can help you navigate the holidays and stay aligned with your practice when you are off the mat.
Be kind (ahimsa). With the rebirth of the sun into the spring cycle, we move from the darkest time of year to celebrate light and hope. For some, holidays trigger expectations, attachments, and disappointments. Amidst the joy, feelings of longing, sadness, and loneliness surface. Be gentle with others – and yourself. The peace of Christmas is goodwill toward all.
Be authentic (satya). Be careful of overdoing. Honor your boundaries of time, energy, and effort. Take time to ask for what you need – and step away to BE. Empty gestures and false sentiments are ornaments decorating an unhealthy tree. Instead of playing a part or hiding behind the merriment, connect with others from your heart and choose thoughts, words, action, and energy that come from your authentic Self.
Be mindful of your energy (brahmacharya). The flurry of holiday activity can leave you feeling pulled in a thousand directions. Manage precious energy reserves by consciously breathing, mindfully practicing your yoga, and intentionally observing your inner work. Instead of Guru Google, let nature be your guru: enjoy a walk with friends and family, breathe in the fresh, crisp air, or rest -like the Columbine nurtured by a blanket of snow - until you are ready to resurface. Take a pause to meditate on falling snow, the warmth of the sun, or the joy of the season.
Be generous (asteya). Holiday gift giving can be stressful and may lead to comparing and competing with others, which may in turn evoke feelings of envy, insecurity, or inferiority. Be genuine and heartfelt in your generosity. Be generous of spirit—uplift others and spread joy. Give from the heart in words, actions, and deeds.
Let go (aparigraha). Aparigraha is actually one of the central teachings in the Yogic text the Bhagavad Gita, in which Krishna shares one of the teachings that could perhaps be the most important lesson of all to learn: ‘Let your concern be with action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.’ What Krishna is essentially saying is that we should never concern ourselves with the outcome of a situation, we should only concern ourselves with what we’re doing right now as we work towards that outcome. We often become too attached to our thoughts, and our ways of thinking. Negative thought patterns and false beliefs can clutter up our minds just like our closets get cluttered with old stuff. That clutter prevents us from human connection. Let go of preconceptions, hollow traditions, and unrealistic expectations; be open to possibility in this season of rebirth. Practice awareness, be mindful of want vs. need, consider what feeds your soul, and practice karma yoga - actions without attachment to outcome.
Breathe and practice the yamas during the holidays and throughout the new year. As you observe your busyness during the holidays, you may notice you don’t devote time to nurture yourself. This can cause you to experience the side effects of a life not lived in balance: insomnia, fatigue, low immunity, and more. Cultivate balance through the yamas and you may find yourself to be the recipient of the greatest gift of all.
