In this joyful video, Swamiji discusses Christmas as a celebration of Christ – the embodiment of Universal Love.

Like Jesus, every being has the capacity to experience and manifest Universal Love, and there are so many methods of worship that are designed to open our hearts to the reality of Christ Consciousness.

The great 19th century mystic Sri Ramakrishna worshiped within all traditions and ultimately proclaimed that God is One, and that so many as there are individuals, so many are there paths to God.

For yoga practitioners and Hindus in the West, Christmas provides a special opportunity to worship the Divine within the context of a tradition and language that is a familiar part of Western heritage.

Swamiji traces the historical roots of Christmas to the worship of the Vedic God Mitra, whose birthday was traditionally celebrated on December 21, the Winter Solstice.

Mitra was a solar deity who was the perfect embodiment of Friendship – he carried Light and Love to all the children of God’s creation. Like the Sun, he radiated His warmth onto all beings without discrimination as to “sinner” or “saint,” “naughty” or “nice.”

During this holiday season, we invite you to remember the Divine as your Truest Friend – a Friend who does not judge or exclude, but rather embraces all and blesses all creation with Pure Love.

We invite you to celebrate this Universal Love and to share the bounty of this Love with all your friends and family. May the spirit of Friendship fill the world!

Jai Maa!