Makati ( Philippines ): “Christmas Stories, With Love” were cheerfully imparted during the December Public Program Series hosted by Brahma Kumaris Philippines Makati Center. Held on the four Thursdays of the month, the hour-long evening gatherings lent a new layer of warmth to the holidays via deeply personal sharings by BK speakers. There is an anonymous saying, “The best Christmas gift is to realize how much you already have.” Each program illustrated that few things can be truer.
December 8, 2022
The online session kicked off with BK Rajni Daulatram, National Coordinator for Japan and the Philippines, sharing on the subject, “Love in Action.” She pointed out that the phrase simply meant “to ignite our innate qualities.” Learn from the past and move forward, she said. “Don’t keep anything in the heart that stops you from expressing love. Christmas radiates beautiful feelings that make it easy for us to give our best to one another. When we see the world as one family, we allow our hearts to forgive and forget.” This particular season, celebrated around the world, is a blessing meant to light up and enrich lives, she stressed. “And yet, whenever we give love from our hearts, it feels like Christmas, no matter the time of year.”
December 15, 2022
“Beyond the Presents” was the first face-to-face public program at Makati Center after the pandemic lockdowns. It was a chance to exchange gifts, the BK way, with family and friends. Participants wore festive Santa hats. Spontaneous exchanges from the heart became part of a unique round of musical chairs. Every aspect of the get-together conveyed the joy of opening up to exchanging energies of caring and affection with one another. The program concluded with guests receiving blessing cards and vegetarian Christmas treats.
December 22, 2022
Much can be said about Christmas; it need not always be the same things over and over. Merle Pimentel, a senior consultant in organization development and a meditation practitioner for four decades, took the subject to a deeper level by saying that “Reason for the Season” might also be called “The Season for Being Able to Check Myself.” First, she said, reflect on lessons learned and experiences that propelled growth. Second, clearly decide what matters for you, and what doesn’t. Third, re-view your life to see if you are still on track vis a vis the goal that you have set for yourself. Fourth, close your book of accounts; that is, in your mind, say “I am sorry” to anyone that you may have hurt or harmed, until your heart is free from all anxiety. Fifth, celebrate with a deep sense of gratitude. And finally, leave the past behind and take the present as an opportunity to see your real reason for being.
December 29, 2022
BK Judy Johnson of Halifax, Atlantic Canada, is never too busy for Philippine programs. She has been a regular resource person since 2016, even dropping in (virtually) a few times at the height of the pandemic. She is an author, educator, meditator and meditation teacher, a seasoned leadership coach, professional adviser on conflict resolution, and vigilant advocate for peace and global harmony. By way of starting to “reflect and reset, she invited the participants to look deep inside: “Breathe in all that has been 2022 and release everything. Now take another deep breath, opening up to 2023. Relax and enjoy it.” She led them through five rapid-fire questions, with instructions to just allow what comes to mind in quick response:
The wisest decision I made in 2022
The biggest lesson I learned in 2022
The biggest risk I took in 2022
The biggest surprise of 2022
How did my heart grow this past year?
She zeroed in on the state of the heart through the following reflection:
“How has your heart grown stronger? Feel it. Feel the strength of your heart. How has your heart grown softer? Maybe you think of the soft heart as being a pushover but it’s not. It means the hardness that you were used to is now allowing the power of the soft heart to emerge. Feel the softness of your heart. “As we come to the end of 2022, I ask you to promise yourself that you will keep your heart safe as we enter 2023. What promise can you make to keep your heart safe? Give this promise to God now, and visualize it sitting in the highest shelf in your mind, framed and golden, royal, eternal. Feel God’s light shining down directly upon you. This light brightens your heart, softens your heart, strengthens your heart and makes it bigger.”
The four December programs presented ways of infusing everyday life with the Christmas spirit. They each highlighted reflections on relishing the richness of 2022 as we step into 2023. Participants effusively expressed gratitude in the Zoom and Facebook chat boxes during every live-streaming, proof that the message of the series hit the mark each time. We reflect, we ruminate, we count our blessings. We continue to allow a deep spiritual longing—something sacred and exquisite, a thirst that can be quenched only by God— to light our way.
