Merry Christmas

These words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama are about compassion and love. They are perfect words to contemplate as you open your gifts of luxury. Contemplating compassion for all beings is an important aspect of Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men and Women.

When you open your presents, please be aware of how they were chosen with love by your mother, father, sister, brother, grandpa, grandma, aunt, uncle, cousin, or close friend. Consider who made the gift and how it came to be sitting there in front of you today.

There are so many causes and conditions that had to come together for you to even have a present to open. Please think about the person or company that manufactured your gift. Think about the people who placed it in the box and prepared it for shipping. Think about how the gift made it to the store where it was purchased. Think about the salesperson who sold the item. Think about the person or people who gave you the gift. Express your gratitude for having received it. Hugs and kisses are in order.

Compassion and love are not mere luxuries.
As the source both of inner and external peace,
they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species.
—The Dalai Lama

Even though I am Jewish on my parents’ side, we celebrate Christmas in our home. Mala, my wife, likes to put up a tree and decorate it with ornaments. My daughters help with the decorations and I put on the lights. We like the smell of the tree as it permeates the living room and dining room in our home. On Christmas Day, we usually celebrate with our friends.

We also celebrate Chanukah in a mild fashion. Mala creates the most delicious potato latkas (pancakes) and we have friends over to celebrate and eat with us.

What are you grateful for ? How will you celebrate Christmas today?

Books by Dalai Lama

Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by H.H. Dalai Lama “A book that brings people together on the firm grounds of shared values, reminding us why the Dalai Lama is still one of the most important religious figures in the world.” —Huffington Post, “Best Religious Books of 2011” Ten years ago, in the best-selling Ethics for… [Read More…]