On 'Christmas Blues' and lamps (to Kumari)

[Guest guest]

Dear Kumari,

 

First off, thanks for the suggestions on lamps. I am sure this must come

across as ridiculous to people who have always used oil lamps, but I was

hesitant at filling the whole reservoir (as opposed to just smearing the

whick), should it all catch fire. I will be holding a small Durga puja

this evening, so I'll give it a try (actually, I'll see if I can get my

hands on some ghee first).

 

Now, Christmas: I fully relate to what you are saying, as until a couple

of years ago I was a practicing 'pagan' myself. I don't want to go into

the details of why I decided to turn east, as it were - although the

'discovery' of Sanatana Dharma at the hands of European pagans is a topic

I'm v. interested in; I would just like to point out one thing: I think

that in spreading to Europe (/the West), certain religious customs will

have to be adapted. Mind you, I am not talking about 'syncretism' here (a

watering-down of tradition I am quite opposed to). I do think, however,

that for anyone living in Europe (or at similar latitudes) Solstices are

an important spiritual occasion: in winter, the days darken, and the Sun

dies to be born again.

 

I think one solution would be to honour the divine Light in these days

according to the tradition Shree Maa and Swamiji are so generously sharing

with us. I am thinking, for instance, of the glory of the Devi as Savitri.

The Romans on Brumalia (Solstice) used to honour Angerona, the goddess of

silence, She who leads the Sun out of the darkness: is She not the same as

our Devi? What happened to Angerona after people stopped worshipping Her?

Did She just disappear? (Is She not still active, doing Her work as She

always has done?...)

 

As we become 'Indianised' through Sanatana Dharma, so do the customs we

have embraced become 'Europeanised': I think this is an inevitable

process, at least insofar as Sanatana Dharma ultimaly means - at least in

my eyes - a rediscovery of the religious roots that Western culture has

lost.

 

So don't feel blue: you're not alone! :-)

 

Sergio