Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 It is December now, the time of advent. In the Christian tradition this time of the year is meant to prepare for the coming of Christ. But what does it mean “to prepare for Christ” and what does this mean from a yogic perspective?
Not only Christians, but other religions as well have dedicated specific times to go inward for retrospection. In yoga going inwards is also one part of many practices. Fastening times are meant not only to fast with the physical body but also to clear up emotionally. This means you forgive yourself and others, transform false perceptions, negative thoughts and beliefs. You have an honest look at the mistakes you made and learn from them.
Especially before the holiday season many people complain about being “in stress”. But what does it mean? Karol K. Truman writes in her book “Feelings buried alive never die” that what a stressor is to one person doesn’t have to be a stressor to another one. What someone perceives as stressful and how he handles it highly depends on early conditioning that contributed to his feelings and beliefs.
“While striving to overcome a particular stress, you will want to focus on what is happening inside you as you are going through it; determine what you feel each time you experience this stress – and change that feeling.” (Karol K. Truman)
This is why intro-perception is so important in order to return to your original state of being at peace. All “negative” feelings, thoughts and beliefs let you experience yourself in a state of dis-ease. You are not meant to deny negative feelings and thoughts. This would increase your inner conflict. Instead, you shine lovingly a light on your inner conflict (usually what you think and what you feel is misaligned), bring it forward, name it and release it.
You are meant to look inward in a Christ-minded fashion: look at what is there with total forgiveness and unconditional love towards yourself and others. Just as Jesus would knock gently on the door to your heart as in the picture of this article. He would look at you with so much love in his heart, no matter what mistakes you made and help you to gain a fresh perspective.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20