A Time To Reconnect

By Deva Shantay

So much of the holiday season is about consumption. So many purchase needlessly, indulging in gluttonous eating and engaging in activities that promote disconnection. 

The holidays are a time to share, connect and replenish ourselves. Gifting is a way to share and express love. Our meals can be a way of connecting and not just while eating the food but also while preparing it in the kitchen. Our activities can include reading books, creating art, spending time outside, drinking warm beverages by a fire or laughing over board games. 

The holidays have been dominated by media, electronics, processed food and liquor. Our culture is showing the effects of these choices with the high levels of imbalance and resulting illness.  

In America there is so much waste—while the majority of the world is in lack. 811 million (1 in 10) people are hungry, while more than two-thirds of Americans are overweight. We have lost our way. 

Dharma is right action. Prajnaparadha is failure of the intellect—knowing what is right (dharmic) and not listening to it. 

This holiday season, consider taking dharmic action. It might mean you have to make choices counter to desire but living in alignment with our truth is what sets us free. 

Try it at the dinner table. Eat slowly, chew your food until it’s a liquid and eat only until you are seventy percent full. Chew mindfully and offer prayers to the food, the earth and spirit. Feed yourself what your body needs to thrive. Eat to live, instead of living to eat. 

The holidays are a time to take a pause, connect with ourselves and others, set intentions for the coming year and reconnect to our values. 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season of connection!

In gratitude,

Deva Shantay

Deva Shantay is a Co-Founder/Co-President of the True Nature Healing Arts Foundation, an Intuitive Guide, Professional Yoga Therapist and is currently enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda, becoming a certified Doctor of Ayurveda.