The Secret of Christmas

I was talking with a friend who I hadn't spoken too for some time. I made a point of showing up on their door step, as I have noticed that they had been avoiding me. When they saw me, they said, "I heard that you where really disappointed and upset with me, so that's why I've been avoiding you." I asked the person, "did you ask me?" They replied "no." I then asked, "So you based your entire response on what someone else was saying to you and not your experience?" They said, "Wow, I guess when you put it that way, yes. I didn't think it through."

I took the time to explain to the person where I was at with a particular situation, which as it turned out had nothing to do with them. At the end of 5 minutes, it seemed that they clearly understood, the situation was not on them and they where prepared to move on and forward. The encounter ended with a handshake and a smile.

To me, that's Christmas. A moment and a time when there is no barrier. It's a moment in time where people can look beyond the immediate space and enter something that is open, vast and clear. All we have to do is put aside our divided and distorted mind. That's it. Just lay down our burden and breath. When we can do that, the Spirit of Christmas becomes the entire world and it's a beautiful feeling. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, "You cannot by that in a supermarket."

Tomorrow morning, we may open one hundred presents. We make only have two that we open. We may have none to open. But no matter what, that is not Christmas. That is only a reflection and a symptom of Christmas. The True secret of the Season is that Christmas [or Hanukkah] is You. It cannot be otherwise. And the Experience of that gift is what I received from Choboji Mountain, over the past year. I am so deeply grateful for that, I cannot be verbalized.

So as you go out and attempt to finish up today, you may feel a little down, becuase you did not acquire the so-called "perfect gift." Don't concern yourself. You could and should be very happy in knowing that you are the radiance and beauty that is This holiday season. It's a fact and cannot be otherwise.

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO