The Deepest Spiritual Life Ezine

A Monthly Publication, Issue #4 – December 2002

Publisher: Susan Quinn

http://www.thedeepestspirituallife.com

The Sacred within the Profane

It’s December. You’ve heard it before--Christmas has become so commercial; the meaning of the holiday has been lost; all the glitz is so superficial and overdone. Then again, as a Jew, I have seen Hanukah become overly commercialized and for many Jews, a substitute for Christmas (when it’s only a minor festival). Since I don’t expect all the hype to decrease, how do we make this a sacred time of year in the midst of the excess and mundane and regardless of our faith practice?

My choice has been to keep things simple. Part of that decision is easier because I don’t have a large extended family; part of the decision is easier because I prefer to minimize my activities so that I’m not distracted from the beauty and sacredness of the holidays. Although many of my friends, even Jewish ones, decorate for the holidays (and I even enjoy helping them when asked!), my husband and I find enough festiveness in the places we visit. I’m not saying at all that this is the best way to celebrate the holidays; I’m only saying that my husband and I clarified years ago how we would observe this time of year, and then simply acted accordingly.

In contrast, I have a very dear friend who spends a great deal of time preparing for, and celebrating this time of year. For her, finding just the right gifts for family members including extended family, decorating her home, and getting together with the family is her "sacred mission." Although she becomes tired by the process at times, her joy in making the most of each activity is apparent. Her love for her family, and the time and effort she spends are clearly holy expressions for her.

Your opportunity is to decide what works best for you and your family. Are the efforts that you make efforts of love, renewing relationships, and celebrating peace, love and hope? Are you willing to re-examine those things you think you "must do," and consider doing things that connect you with others and with the sacred? What kinds of things would you be doing that would feed your spirit, not exhaust and trivialize it? Are you willing to put aside time for the sacred this month, even a few minutes each day, when you can celebrate this time of year in a way that is meaningful for you? Think of every aspect of this holiday time, and write down some ideas that you think would encompass the holy, your relationships and celebration. The key is to discuss the activities that are meaningful (gift giving, sharing meals, celebrations, spiritual activities), and ask what everyone (meaning friends and family) is willing to do to help make this sacred time significant. If people are willing to participate (and are specific about the help they would offer), then an activity might stay on the list, but it might be downscaled or simplified. If people are not willing to participate (such as in sacred activities), then make time for yourself to honor your intention in your own way; this might mean eliminating an activity, or doing it in a new, creative way.

During December, try to make time for the sacred every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Find time to sit quietly and read from your own liturgy; read holiday poems or listen to sacred music; express gratitude for your life, family and friends; contemplate your blessings; sit in silence and invite in the sacred. These few moments will nourish you, even when, in spite of your best efforts, you get overly busy. You can do this at your desk, at lunch, before turning t.v. on in the evening, or just before you fall asleep.

You can also observe the sacred in the everyday. I love to go places where there are lots of Christmas decorations and Christmas music, because I can appreciate the sacred within those moments. I listen to the words of O Holy Night, or Silent Night, and honor the joy that the birth of Christ gives my Christian friends. I also take time to notice the beauty in the excitement, tiredness, humility, and joy of those around me; I notice the crispness in the air, the nakedness of the trees, and the bright green of the pines. The vibrancy of the colors, the mood of those around me, the smell of pine, the sanctity of the sacred places, all remind me that the sacred can be found everywhere, in every moment, if we only open to its Presence.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Book Signings

January 9, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 1800 Rosecrans Ave., Bldg. B, Manhattan Beach, CA (310-725-7025) 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

January 15, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 1040 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA (760) 943-6400, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

January 17, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 40570 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA (909) 296-0253, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

January 21, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, CA (949) 362-9665, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

January 24, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suie 1340, Woodland Hills, CA, (818) 704-3850, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

January 28, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 245 N. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA (818) 246-0630, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

January 30, 2003, Barnes & Noble, 16461 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436 (818) 380-1641, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Workshops

Sunday, January 19, 2003, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6^th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103, (619) 298-7261, 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.—"Why Develop Personal Spiritual Practices?"

Sunday, January 26, 2003, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6^th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 298-7261, 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.—"Learning Personal Spiritual Practices"

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