Guidance for December - 12
To understand this „ending“ is a possibility to choose consciously what we are going to repeat. Habits are not the problem. They are actually quiet useful. The question is:
What habits really serve me?
We arrived at the end, the last step of this years cycle.
The 12th month is the completion of a long journey through all seasons. We have arrived at the month in which winter is welcomed and celebrated: a month of festivities, family and endings.
What is the 12 of the month teaching us?
Every number has karmic, as well as dharmic qualities. Let us look deeper to learn about these qualities and explore how they can truly serve us.
The 12 is a 3 but it is also still a 12. That means there is something that is being repeated here but in a higher, more refined way. We went through a whole cycle again. This year is ending. But propably we will be alive next year again. So, how are we going to live?
We are not speaking about a death but a moment of reflection. To understand this „ending“ is a possibility to choose consciously what we are going to repeat. Habits are not the problem. They are actually quiet useful. The question is:
What habits really serve me?
Looking at the Mul Mantra of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the final step is the 12th and it says: Jap!
Repeat, repeat the right way, the right order of things as spoken here. It is about realizing that our actions count. As Guru Nanak said, by our actions we are near or far.
We are also entering the rough nights, the dark nights of the year. This is a time, to deeply reflect upon our lives and to plant new seeds for the coming year. This last step of the years cycle is a step of refinement. The quality of the 12 is not just a 3, but yet it is inside of the 12.
The 3 forms us in the way we move through life- the 12 gives us a new chance of realizing the way we move, act and what we do. The 3 is the element fire. The 12 shines another light on it.
How is our fire burning?
How happy are we honestly in life?
Do we have a yes for our way we life or do we need to change something?
Are we allowing ourselves to be happy beyond reason?
To express our inner movement of emotions freely?
Or are we trying to control our sorrow?
Many times the attempt to try to control them ends up in anger or we just play around to avoid reality and we feel like loosing our lifetime.
Speaking of the fire quality of the 3, it is the month of December when we celebrate the Winter Solstice and with it the returning sunlight. We are speaking of the sunlight as the highest expression of fire energy. And as the sun is steadily repeating the coming and going we can learn to repeat the right actions, regardless of the result.
This brings us also to Jesus Christ, whose life and actions are being celebrated in the same way, in the same spirit, as the sun. As the sun shines on everyone without any resentments or expectations. Let’s learn from the sun, let’s learn from the actions of this enlighted being.
Looking again at the symbol of the 12, we can also see it as a 10 +2.
The 10 is the light. So it is not just the fire energy returning, but within it the light itself.
So what is the 2? The 2 is the loyalty towards that 10, that totality.
To know the 12 is to know that we all are on the same journey, sharing the same longing.
It is also the longing and connection towards it. As it is also a 3, it is linked to action.
So how do we express this connection and longing in rituals and symbols? How do we move it?
We can find many of important symbols, rituals and meanings around this in the way we celebrate Christmas. Is it not a repeating festivity to remind us the light we behold in our hearts for each other and the world? Making gifts, wrapping them. It is not about the gifts itself or the action of giving them, but an expression of something higher. And we repeat this every year again.
The 12th Guru is Us. It is each one of us, doing our Japa and bringing our right actions to the world. That which affirms the light within, the light around us and the light that radiates upon us.
Our actions count. Let’s put them in the cauldron of alchemy, for a bigger purpose, for all humanity. Remembering and practicing all that we learned in this year. It is on us to make it count, to make it meaningful.
Now we reach the end but don’t take it for granted - somehow the end is an illusion, as we are moving in circles and cycles. Each cycle repeating giving us the opportunity to rise above, to truly learn.
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Suggested Mantra:
The Mantra of the month is the Mul Mantra, as it moves through the 12 steps of human transformation to embody the light of consciousness.
Meditate on the meaning.
Chant it and truly feel each step of this journey, refining and conquering your own mind and illusions.
Ek Ong Kar
Sat Nam
Karta Purkh
Nirbau Nirvair
Akaal Murat Ajuni
Saibhang Guru Prasaad
Jap
Aad Satch
Jugaad Satch
Haibi Satch
Nanak Hosibi Satch
English:
One Creator, expanding, creating
Truth is His name
Being & Doing
No Fear, no Enemy
Undying, Unborn, Self-illumined
Guru is the gift / blessing
Meditate again!
True in the beginning
True through all the ages
True even now
Oh Nanak it is forever true
