Merry Christmas to everyone, and a New Year full of happiness, joy, courage, and blessings.
Here is a lovely message from the Self-Realization Fellowship: 2015 Christmas Message from their president: http://www.yogananda-srf.org/tmp/photogallery.aspx?FolderId=512#.VnCCHr97tWs, and here is their 2015 Christmas photo album: http://www.yogananda-srf.org/tmp/photogallery.aspx?FolderId=512#.VnCCHr97tWs.
I'm reading their guru's book entitled The Second Coming of Christ, and gaining much wisdom from it. Paramahansa Yogananda was a very spirit-filled being, and truly one of the great masters who graced Earth with a visit. He very much revered the Christ. In my studies, I have learned there were many expressions of Christianity in the early days, finally coalescing into the Roman Catholic Church in the fourth and fifth centuries. SFR seems to be an expression from the Hindi/Indian point of view, which embraces the school of thought called yoga, or God union (it's much, much more than just the exercises, which is how most Westerner's know it). George Harrison was into Eastern/Indian spiritual traditions and had connections with SFR. See http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1472. ;
If you follow a certain tradition, please post links to their Christmas (or other holiday) greetings and/or photo albums, so we may learn of their traditions. If you don't know of any, go look for some... Kwaanzaa and Hannukah are two I can think of. Let's make this holiday season one of understanding and respect for other cultures and beliefs.
In December, Muslims celebrate:
Monday, December 21
Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad)
Shia Muslims celebrate this 5 days later. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
Saturday, December 26
Milad un Nabi (Shia)
Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims celebrate this 5 days earlier. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
I do not know what an appropriate greeting would be, but I wish for our Muslim friends a holiday that brings all they expect and hope for, and more.
Comments
Merry Christmas, everyone! Let's hope 2016 will bring good things.
Yes, the former Beatle. You know, George "My Sweet Lord" Harrison.
the late George Harrison? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGYYDvZnpg