Christmas and New Year 2022

Dear Friends,

We hope you are doing fine and this post finds you in good health for the new year 2022. As usual, we would like to use this special time to reflect and raise a few important points concerning the practice, wishing you a happy new now, like last year!

Without a doubt, we are living in very challenging times. We have been thinking a lot about the deeper reasons behind the current difficulties. On a first glance, it seems as if it’s because of “a virus, a pandemic, anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, sheep, covid-numbers, mandates, censorship, loss of work and freedom, vaccines, government measures, the left, the right, alpha, delta, omicron…” etc., right?

Some hold on to the idea that the “world has gone insane”. They fear that we are “heading into darkness”. Others see light at the end of the tunnel and reach out for the new year 2022. They hope to leave the darkness behind. Few realize that fear and hope are but two words describing the same creature. Those who are infected by the virus of fear and hope will loose sight of what is essential. The disease will gradually consume their soul – and it will feel right! As their light grows more dim, they will blame, attack and seek to control their perceived enemies.

The result is a frantic chase for tomorrow and an endless escape from yesterday. The possessed will want to control and bend the world to make it conform to their infinite desires. Through the lens of fear and hope, they will see enemies and friends. Their allies are those who feed their fears and hopes. Their enemies are those who threaten to destroy their fears and hopes. Once we are possessed by this virus, it will be very hard to see clearly.

We are living in times where compassion, composure and wisdom are slowly fading into the background of awareness. If we are heedless we will easily be swallowed by the darkness of fear. It’s enough to follow the sweet sound of its hopeful promises for the new year 2022. Our scattered and distracted minds leave the door wide open for all kinds of ideologies to enter and infect the heart. Therefore, guard your mind. The body will eventually get ill, break apart and die. This is an unavoidable fact. The faster we come to terms with this truth, the more time we will have to focus on what is truly essential in life.

The first essential task is to let go of darkness, suffering, stress and tension within ourselves. Don’t concern yourself with the darkness in others or the world, as it’s merely a reflection of your own. 
The second essential task is to cultivate what is skillful and good. Bring light into this world through the blessing of love, generosity, tolerance, patience and other qualities that are beneficial. It is just this much. Liberate the world from your suffering and make yourself a gateway for divine light for the benefit of all. 

We leave you with one of our favorite prayers and wish you Merry Christmas and a liberating new year 2022. May you shine your light into the darkness of this world. May you overcome hope and fear and find true, eternal peace in your heart.