Mystic Mantra: Break with the past

A disciple asked his master: “How should I prepare for the New Year?” The master replied: “Make a clean break with the past year, and you’ll be ready for the new.” The disciple explained, “I’m doing that step-by-step.” The master said: “Take a leap! You cannot cross a chasm in little jumps.” We’re now at a weekend, a month-end, and the year-end. Soon, 2016 will be a number in history books. So, glance over the past year, say “bye” to it, and get ready to leap into the new.

Every year has its joys and sorrows, births and deaths, successes and failures. This year was no different. Look over 2016 — not with some measuring rod to gauge what we considered “good” and what we deemed “bad”, but simply to gaze with joy, gratitude and wonderment over the ebbs and flows of the stream of this segment of our life.

We often reflect upon “what” we did and tend to evaluate it by what others thought of what we did. So if we stuffed this year with plenty of activity and earned the applause of many of those around us, we might feel a sense of pride of the amount that we have achieved. But, wouldn’t it be better to ascertain “how” we’ve been and “how” we’ve done what we’ve done? You are the greatest judge of the quality of the life you’ve led and only you will know how good this year has been.

Glancing back over a span of time can engender feelings of regret and remorse. Such emotions stem from the ego and are better shed than fed and allowed to ruin our lives. In case one feels genuine sorrow for some offence against a family member or friend or colleague, it’s best to ask pardon and to forgive so that no past poison is carried forward to fester in the future.

“Fear not!” is a message that the Bible constantly gives to believers in the pre-Christmas and post-Christmas season. Fear is another emotion that can cloud our minds and hearts and purge us of the joy that will be ours when aware of the innumerable gifts and blessings the past year has brought.

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the “Holy Family”: Jesus, his mother Mary, and foster-father, Joseph. Jesus is the incarnation of love; Mary, epitome of faith, experiences the hand of God in her life and constantly “ponders these things in her heart”; Joseph, the silent seeker, is a model of hope. They inspire us live with faith, hope and love, here-and-now, and in the future.

At the dusk of 2016, let’s pray: “For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes!”