Who can resist the innocence and freshness of a newborn? The
images of the animals in the stable where Jesus was born; the adoring parents,
shepherds, and later the three "kings from the east"? The animals are
hushed, awed, and respectful! It is a touching and unforgettable scene.
For those of us on the meditation path, stillness is something akin to the
"pearl of great price." When you gaze into the eyes of an infant you
don't usually see a personality (yet). The infant's aliveness, openness to the
world, and general innocence is a natural reflection of their lack of
ego-consciousness. Those eyes are windows onto pure consciousness. If you
haven't paid much attention before, check it out on the next little one you
find! Maybe the adoring parents will let you hold the little tike to drink in
its fresh outlook on life.
Paramhansa Yogananda (author of "Autobiography of a Yogi") described
the first six years of a youngster's life as a time when the child may still be
halfway in the astral realm. The body is new but untrained and uncoordinated.
The child needs to take ownership and control of his new "vehicle."
Yet, it seems that the young child is in and out of another world in its early
years.
There was a time years ago when talk about "my inner child" was all
the rage. The idea was to recapture that innocence and that freshness. In the
meditation path, recapturing the awe and reverence for life and life as
exhibited in all people, beings, and forms, is an important aspect of the goal
of meditation. Innocence is reborn by peeling back the layers of the
"self-structure" of ego through mindfulness and, in the yogic (kriya)
path, by "cleansing" the chakras and astral spine wherein are lodged
habits and labels.
This innocence lies just behind, and therefore, just beyond, our thoughts. It
rests beneath our ceaseless preoccupation with our bodies, senses, emotions and
ego. Our "monkey mind" keeps us thrashing about on the surface where
we cannot see the depthless depths of Self.
But does this transcendental state render us incapable of functioning? Yes,
and, well, no! "Yes," while we are deep in a state of inner stillness
but "no" when we return and engage in the world around us. Refreshed
by contact with our own higher Self and potential, we face the world with the "God's
eye" of wisdom.
Popular images of spaced-out saints are only partly valid. The road to
perfection is unique to each of us. Stories of saints who don't even notice
when they are physically attacked or injured may only be a stage in their
journey: a stage that confirms their freedom from identification with the
physical form.
But the truth is far deeper and more powerful because the "eyes of
innocence" can also be God's eye of wisdom. Why is this?
St. Francis of Assisi stated that "What you are looking for is 'Who
is looking."' Albert Einstein, too, put it this way: "He who
can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his
eyes are closed."
Paramhansa Yogananda frequently quoted Jesus Christ
saying I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Matt
11:25) In this quote, "wise" could be in "quotes" as Jesus
is not speaking of soul wisdom but worldly-wise-dumb. And of course, he doesn't
really mean "babies" (infants). Being childlike is not the same
as being childish!
Jesus put wisdom and innocence together in this
statement: "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matt
10:16)
The Christmas spirit of joy and generosity to kinsmen and
strangers alike has its roots in this innocent wisdom of the soul. While the
blessings of the Christmas holiday and tradition affirms the spirit of the
season it arises naturally from the well of inner silence. Only through daily
dips into this well can the Christmas spirit live in us throughout the
year.
The image of the darkened stable where Jesus was born is a powerful symbol of
the synthesis, the oneness of all aspects of life preexisting in harmony on the
subtle plane of inner silence. Joseph represents the male principle to whom
wisdom comes through outward circumstances and reasoned conclusions (such as
the angel which comes to him to reassure him about his marriage to Mary and
later to warn him about Herod, advising Joseph to take the family to
Egypt).
Mary represents the female principle. Her wisdom comes from within her,
impregnated by Spirit directly. She lives or embodies Christ consciousness and
gives birth to it in her life. Joseph lives to serve and protect the intuitive
soul-self.
The quiescent animals represent our five senses and base nature now awake and
focused on the Christ light of the soul, awaiting its guidance. The shepherds
are those actions we must take in daily life to support ourselves. They have
taken the time to stop and to worship the Christ light within through regular
prayer, worship and meditation. The angels on high are those beings from
subtler realms who support our soul aspirations with the vibration of their presence.
The shape of the stable itself resembles the shape of the brain. The stable is
darkened as it is quiet and inwardly focused. The return to silence
and to stillness is the path to this rebirth. "And they who walked in
darkness saw a great light." (Isaiah 9:2)
Finally, the three "wise men from the east" appear bearing the gifts
of the ages and sages. They represent the guru coming from the east of the
brain, the seat of enlightenment. They bear the three gifts of wisdom
(teaching), devotion (teacher), and discipline (technique).
This imagery will surely endure for another two thousand years, more so as our
understanding of its deeper significance spreads.
Silence and stillness are symbolized in the infant Christ and in the story of
Jesus' birth.
As Swami Kriyananda put it in an affirmation he wrote: "View the world
with eyes of calmness and of faith."
A bliss-ed Christmas to you!
Nayaswami Hriman
