Monday’s Meditation: On The One Gift We’re All Craving

December 9, 2013

Even as you scurry to and fro, from this store to that one, picking out presents for the people you love–

Even as you carefully and thoughtfully wrap each present, tie each bow–

Even as you pack those presents and yourselves into cars, trains, and planes, criss-crossing the country in order to gather with your people–

And even at the moment when, faces suspended with impending elation, the ones dear to you unwrap the packages, discover the contents, and burst forth with thanks–

Even then remember that the most important gift you can give to anyone–the one they may not ask for, but undoubtedly and inexplicably desire–is your being present. Your attention, undivided, your ears, reserved of judgment, your heart, open and willing to receive.

Every thing we do, every tradition we engage in, is at its root an attempt to authentically connect to others, and to remind ourselves of our place in the family of things. You will succeed at the custom of holiday gift giving if only you give to others your active attention, and realize that any further gifts exist as appendixes to that first one. If you neglect to do that, if you think that the tangible presents are sufficient, or if you rely on them too heavily, suggesting the belief–however unconscious it may be–that because you arrived at the door with arms loaded no one will notice or mind if you thereafter check out with mind and spirit, you will disappoint us all.

But you wouldn’t do that, would you?

 

2 Comments

  1. […] costs nothing, you can skip the gift wrap, and need ye no malls; your present energy is the most important gift you can […]

  2. […] (More on gifts here, here, and here.) […]

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2 Comments

  1. […] costs nothing, you can skip the gift wrap, and need ye no malls; your present energy is the most important gift you can […]

  2. […] (More on gifts here, here, and here.) […]

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