Sorry, I dislike the whole thing. The frenzy in traffic and shopping. The pretend jolliness and the obligated parties are a source of energy depletion for me. Oops, there go the underlying conditions showing their face again. Dammed DNA.

By Angel Roberto Puente

 

It’s Christmas time! Soon it will be Christmas morning.

For many, it will be a truly Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. For others, “a time to be merry.” Sorry, I dislike the whole thing.

The frenzy in traffic and shopping. The pretend jolliness and the obligated parties are a source of energy depletion for me. Oops, there go the underlying conditions showing their face again. Dammed DNA.

But don’t get me wrong, I like all of what is celebrated during the season. Just not on cue. See, I have this celebration all the time. So I don’t see the need to search for a special occasion and have to jump through all the hoops. I’m content with activating attention by using close observation of breathing and experiencing and relaxing the body, which will invariably lead to joy and the more sedate continuous happiness.

Further observation of the mind and its stillness has shown me that the search for variations of experience on special occasions is unnecessary. If we really pay attention, the same things we see daily will surprise us—a new angle never seen, a play of light, a different color.

Yes, maybe I am boring, but I’m happy.

I get by with very little. I was just on a trip to Mexico City with my wife. It was a command performance. We were there for two weeks during the celebration of the festivities of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I understand but cannot share the fascination with museums and cathedrals—or the stories behind them—much less leaving the comfort and safety of home.

But duty is duty.

I do like observing how people live. Architecture is wonderful. Would I take two planes to see another country? No, I really should get to know my own country better before I do. I doubt I can be bodhisattva anywhere else if I can’t be one here.

To each his/her own. We all have to do our thing. No criticism on my part. If everyone were the same then it would really be boring. I just hope that enjoyment is the motivator and not compulsion.

To show that I’m not completely contrary to Christmas I will, following our Three Kings custom, and leave you three gifts.

Like the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that were given to the newborn, I hope these three talks by Lama Alan Wallace will enrich your practice.

Dr. Wallace was ordained as a Buddhist monk by the Dalai Lama in 1975. He expounds on Dzogchen, Great Perfection, which is a tradition and meditative practice that emphasizes a direct path to awakening by recognizing our pure, primordial nature.

Please listen carefully to this trilogy, I find it to contain profound teachings.

If you’re not convinced by my recommendation just throw the whole thing, wrapper and all, in the attic.

Maybe “Christmas Yet To Come” will show you the way. Meanwhile, MERRY, MERRY whenever.

 

Photo: Pixabay

Editor: Dana Gornall

 

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