Dear One,
A very blessed Christmas to you, and to all of Paramahansa Yogananda’s worldwide spiritual family and friends! I pray you may feel the peace-giving, harmonizing light of Christ-love that shines with special radiance from the heavenly realms into receptive hearts during this season of joy.
That infinite Christ Consciousness (Kutastha Chaitanya) — the unifying intelligent purpose manifested by Spirit in creation — embraces all beings, nations, races, and faiths as one family, all equally loved by the Divine. Let us take time to remember that whatever differences may seem to divide us in this realm of maya, they are superficial. Much deeper is the kinship we share as God’s children. May our hearts be uplifted anew with the universal Christmas message of “peace on earth and goodwill to all.” That is the inclusive spirit and unconditional love Jesus expressed in his life; and it can be born again in each one of us.
Jesus Christ incarnated in troubled times, and proved to the world that the power of love, understanding, forgiveness, and compassion is far greater, far more lasting, than the destructiveness of hate. Take courage from his example, and know that with every good thought and act you, too, are bringing more of God’s love into this world. A wonderfully liberating, consciousness-expanding transformation takes place in our whole being as we strive increasingly to live by the commandment he supremely emphasized: “Love God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
How to infuse our hearts and actions with the love and light of spiritual consciousness? One way, especially at Christmastime, is to set aside time for deep and longer periods of divine communion. I urge you to join one of the all-day Christmas meditations held by Yogoda Satsanga Ashrams/Kendras/ Mandalis — or have one in your own home. When in the sanctuary of inner silence we touch the Source of all love, we feel the truth of our Guru’s words: “Purity, peace, happiness beyond dreams, are sparkling and dancing within your soul. Let that peace within join the transcendent, infinite peace without. You are immersed in that eternal light. Your whole being is filled with that omnipresent blessed effulgence of Christ. Beyond body and breath, you are that ever-living light of Christ peace and joy.”
May the love and peace of the Universal Christ fill your life — blessing you, your dear ones, and everyone for whom you pray — this Christmas and always.
In divine friendship
Swami Chidananda Giri
