It's December 1, and this crazy year 2012 enters its last month, I look back with a sometimes gaping jaw that my overarching theme of the year (set forth in late December 2011) has been The Wonder Year: Amazing, Astonishing, Awakening
It's been all that and more.I had anticipated that there would be much cynicism and heated snark during the presidential election year and just wanted to try a different approach. I also knew that there would be a degree of fear and unease riding the coat tails of the idea of a major shift in consciousness predicted by the Mayan Calendar (not the literal end of the world, but paradigm shifts). Turning to the wheel of the Rasas (essence or flavor of experiences), I knew that the way out of the flavor of fear back towards joy was through WONDER (adbhuta). Think of the experience of wonder as that of taking delight in the unknowable or the mysterious. Think of awe as the ability to step back and just say "Wow" when the unpredictable and unexpected shows up, no matter how it presents itself before you, and as we all know, that doesn't always take the form of a beautiful sunset. It can also take the form of the dissolution of community, illness, or a monster storm.
A Holy Wow moment is when we choose wonder and awe over cynicism and snarkiness. They are often followed by stunned silence or short bursts of expression
"Wow," "Whoa," "Unbelievable."
To open yourself to wonder and awe is an empowered choice of spaciousness and curiousity towards that which is in the shadows and cloaked, just as you would watch the moonrise or a great work of art. Cultivating a sense of wonder opens the door towards the deeper explorations of who we are beyond the layers of the seen and known.
This month, I invite everyone to join me in a strong practice of allowing awe and wonder into our lives more fully. These ideas move across cultures and religions. These ideas move beyond unchecked consumerism and can help us move our holiday traditions to a higher level of celebration.
May we soften and enjoy the lights during the darkest nights.
May we turn our hearts towards gathering together in family and community.
May we give of ourselves fully and intentionally.
May we experience Joy, Peace, and Love in our lives and in our hearts.
