Christmas in the Mountain of Bliss

Hariharananda Tapovanam (Himalayas)
December 25, 2003

My sweet and loving souls,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Mountain of Bliss!
I pray that you are all in good cheer, excellent health, and perfect adoration.

In this festive occasion, I am thinking of you all and giving praise and gratitude to the Father for the blessings you have brought into my life all these years. Words can never express the reverence and love I feel for you all.

My new horizon in the Himalayas is immense, peaceful, and suffused in deep spirituality. Everywhere, temples to Shiva and Durga. Everywhere, humble peasants at work, always a hymn or mantra on their lips. Everywhere, poor children bursting with joy, content to live in God's lap, asking for little else.

Twice a year, I go to our local village school to preside over its annual function. As I am still observing silence, I deliver my speech through smiles and love only, and conclude with a distribution of gifts to all 150 children. These little ones (age 10 to 14) are so poor that even a single pen, or a note pad, or a pencil-sharpener is a treasure to them. I always make a point to honor the top 10 students with an special gift for reward, as well as the 10 lowest students for encouragement. Because I believe that is what Lord Jesus did, when he came into this world. He rewarded his inner circle of disciples (his best students) with the mysteries of Spirit, but spent much time with the fallen the drunkards, prostitutes, thieves and corrupt officers (his worst students).

What an extraordinary message Jesus' life was, so fully manifested in our beloved Baba's example! He came down to the level of the humblest, dirtiest or stupidest man, to gently elevate him up the Mountain of Truth, each according to his own power of understanding and inner strength.

Religious imagery always represent God as reaching down from Heaven to lift us up. But I believe that God is just as much behind us to catch us in His loving, forgiving arms when we fall! And whose arms do you think He uses? Yours. Mine. Ours. Always and everywhere.

May this New Year fill us all with renewed ardor to climb together towards the True and the Love Triumphant. And may we always keep our heart and arms open to catch the poor, the abandoned, the despairing when they fall. Then God will truly live in us.

God bless you all. I bow to you with utmost worship and adoration. You are my God, my Love, my fulfillment.

Humble,
Sarveshwarananda