Practicing the Middle Path during the 2013 Holidays! Dr. Rama :)

The holidays are a time of intense fun, festivities, enjoyment, socializing, humor, laughter and merriment for some.  For others it is a time of deep introspection, contemplation, reflection and going within.  While yet still  for others, it can be a time of great sorrow, misery and unhappiness.

Whatever we do and whoever we are and whatever state we are in, we can remember certain principles that will keep the holidays in a balanced perspective.

1.  The holidays are a time of designated celebration and all, but remember they are man made. They are ultimately illusory.  Every day is a "holiday..."  it just depends on our point of view.

2.  Moderation is key during the holidays.  Practice the middle path. This means to enjoy all activities and festivities but remain balanced.  Drink and eat neither too much nor too little, while still enjoying everything.  This comes with mindfulness and being present.  It means listening to the body and knowing when to stop and start eating.  It means following our inner gut to satisfy the inner gut.....ha ha  (just kidding)-

3.  Stay balanced and do not overly react to negative emotions and triggers.  It is easy to get triggered and feel alone and feel sorry for ourselves over the holidays particularly if we have past pain, unresolved grief, past relationship breakups and misunderstandings.  During the holidays these negative feelings are accentuated because society programs us to believe that the holidays are meant to be joyous and filled with friends and family.  Well, for millions, that is not their experience.  The holidays are only a brief period of time.  We can still keep a state of inner happiness or channel our negativity into some kind of service to others if we are in a difficult state.  The choice is ours.

4.  It is easy to get caught up in the shopping and gift giving frenzy......Just look at people fighting in stores over TVs and other items.  These are just material items.  They are nice to have if we have them---but  they are not the be all and end all.  Feelings and emotions and thoughtful actions backed by sincerity are equally if not more important.....

5. Do not necessarily get too caught up in the drama of relationships or the lack of relationships.  Relationships come and go, no matter who we are in the world and for whatever length of time we spend with others. Today's enemy is tomorrow's friend; today's friend can become tomorrow's memory. We are all visitors traveling an infinite and endless journey within this known and unknown Universe.  We are unborn, created yet not created, we never die and we live on eternally.  Earth is only one stopping place, only one dot on the map of the Universe.  We will meet those we love over and over and continue with others we have had conflict with in many lives, not just this one.  When we take a broader perspective in consciousness we realize that the holidays are only a microscopic blip on the eternal screen of time.  We can then feel calmer and more balanced during the holidays by realizing that we have to first make peace with ourselves and be our own friend and family first and foremost.  Anything and everything can happen with and in relationships during the holidays, the question is can we maintain any form of forgiveness, tolerance, patience and so on during these times?  And of course when there is the positive are open to receive it as well?


DR. R