Loving and Divine Soul,

Let the choicest blessings of God and Gurus be upon you.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a divine Christmas and
spiritual New Year.

The year 2004 is arriving just as 2003 is fading away. It is the time of
bidding farewell to the old and greeting the new. This is life. We say
goodbye to the exhalation, and we gladly welcome the inhalation. It is the
art of loving God in every breath. Using every breath, every moment becomes
the beauty of spiritual life.

In the Mundaka Upanishada (3:1:6) the rishi declared,

satyam eva jayate na anritam
satyena pantha vitato devayanah
yenakramanti rishayah hi aptakama
tat satyasya paramam nidhanam.

Truth alone triumphs, not untruth. Truth lays out the path leading to God by
which the sages, who have their desires fulfilled, travel to that supreme
abode of Truth.

To tread the path of truth is not easy. One needs sufficient strength and
courage to face every challenge in life with love and understanding. A
person dedicated to truth is never fearful. A life of truth brings a seeker
closer to God.

This is the time to contemplate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and
Mother Mary, who walked the path of truth, love, forgiveness, and
compassion. Every seeker should try to cultivate these virtues in life and
become inspired by their example.

If we practice self-discipline and love through prayer and meditation, we
constantly feel the guiding force of divinity acting as a source of strength
and support in daily life. Lord Jesus said, “You should know Truth and Truth
will make you free.” Let us follow the path of truth. Let us avoid all
falsehood in our life. Deceit brings with it many vices, breeding fear and
insecurity. Falsehood and spiritual life are far apart from each other.

God is Truth; Truth ever triumphs. Let us lead a life full of love and
understanding. Let us bring peace into our hearts and to those around us.
This is a God-given opportunity. Let us not waste time unnecessarily.
Gurudev repeatedly said, “Opportunity must not be neglected for it may never
return. Waste time with none but God, then time will not be wasted.”

This is a time for change and transformation. Let us renew our life with
more love and devotion, more prayer and meditation, more acceptance and
tolerance. Let this New Year bring new light into your life.

I am praying to God and Gurus to bless you with joy, peace, and perfection.

With love,
Prajnanananda
December, 2003