The Spiritual Essence of Festivals

You have to grow from the inside out. No one can teach you, no one can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

~ Swami Vivekananda

The past few years have been turbulent worldwide. It is such times, when the darkness shrouding us seems never-ending and hope is furthest from our minds, that doubt begins to creep in. Fear and anxiety wash away rationality and leave us in despair. So, what do we do when things seem so bleak?

Every religion has a different definition of spirituality and a different objective for it. In Hinduism, spirituality is the journey of realising the Divine within oneself, that is, understanding that the soul (Ātman) is one with the absolute reality (Brahman). It teaches that true peace comes from living in harmony with dharma and dispelling ignorance through self-awareness. Buddhism emphasises the power of mindfulness as a tool for achieving spiritual freedom and self-actualisation. In Christianity, devotees strive to adhere to God’s vision for humanity by emulating Jesus Christ, building a close relationship with Him and nurturing fellowship and service. Sikhism revolves around connecting with the Divine through acts of altruism and service, whereas indigenous traditions believe that Divinity resides within nature and must be revered by fostering a healthy relationship with nature. Spirituality is the active pursuit of connection with a Higher Power by upholding the principles of one’s belief system. In this message, we stand united, striving to fulfil our greater purpose. 

Spirituality nudges our body’s natural healing abilities to facilitate connections with a universal life force. Spiritual healing is the restoration of positive energy by channelling Divine or cosmic vibrations to address crises. No one would deny that it is tremendously challenging to achieve a high level of spiritual focus without having our thoughts scrambling helter-skelter in every direction. However, despite its multifaceted nature, the ways to spiritual healing are as ceaseless as the stars in the sky. Spiritual healing is ultimately accessible to everyone who seeks it, regardless of the path they choose.

Light of the world; Pinterest

Rituals performed since time immemorial have a spiritual significance that is not always known. These age-old rituals, traditions and festive practices have an underlying meaning involving spiritual healing. The BBC article titled ‘The surprising power of daily rituals’ states,

It’s believed that we form rituals based on our values.  Ritualistic practices can help to bring a degree of predictability to an uncertain future. They convince our brains of constancy.

Similarly, festivals aren’t merely religious celebrations; they are also about honouring rituals, tradition, family and community. They are a reminder that you are not alone, that an entire community stands in support of you. They offer much scope for self-introspection and self-rebuilding. This can be elucidated by some festivals and religious observances we recently witnessed, along with some upcoming ones.

October is the month of the Holy Rosary in the Catholic Church. It includes the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7th. Its spiritual significance dwells in fostering a deeper connection with God. A meditative prayer, it is ‘Jesus through Mary,’ because her intercession is the most powerful. Immersing ourselves in His life adds value to our own, making us contemplate, reflect and seek peace and strength. All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a Christian feast commemorating the saints and the blessed in Heaven. It honours the communion of saints who are in God’s presence, praying for us and interceding on our behalf. Their spiritual journeys encourage perseverance within the faith and remind believers that holiness is attainable to everyone who desires it. 

The spiritual significance of Navratri lies in celebrating the Divine Feminine and honouring Goddess Durga in her nine forms. In these nine days, while the Devi is said to be in penance, the virtues of patience, compassion and temperance unite with those of courage and righteousness to restore justice at the hands of Durga Ma. This year, Navratri was celebrated from September 28th to October 2nd. Chaturmasa is a holy four-month rainy period marked by Lord Vishnu’s “yogic slumber.” Certain foods are avoided during this period. This is meant to aid our digestive system and allow for the body’s nourishment. Ayurveda states that the Agni (or fire element) of the body is weak during the monsoon. 

Yom Kippur, or the ‘Day of Atonement,’ is the holiest day in Judaism. A solemn occasion for the Jews, it occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, a month in the Hebrew calendar that also comprises Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. It revolves around repentance and atonement. Fasting and prayer are observed, along with the seeking of forgiveness (Teshuvah). The spiritual significance lies in introspection and connection with God. This year, it was observed on 1st and 2nd October.

Bandi Chor Diwas (October 21st) is a Sikh festival meaning “Day of Liberation” or “Prisoner Release Day”. The day commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Singh and fifty-two other kings and princes from Gwalior Fort. The day highlights the values of courage, compassion, freedom, and justice. It serves as a call to action, urging individuals to use their inner light to help others break free from oppression, suffering, and ignorance. This inner illumination comes from a life guided by the Guru’s principles of truth, service and honesty. Similarly, Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 5th) is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. It also serves as a reminder of our civic responsibility to do good deeds. 

Abhidhamma Diwas is an important event for Buddhists, marking the occasion when the Buddha preached the Abhidhamma Pitaka to the Gods and his mother after descending from the celestial realm of Tavatimsa Heaven. The Abhidhamma Pitaka centres on Buddhist philosophy, psychology, mental processes, and the ultimate nature of reality, as well as core concepts such as mind, matter, and consciousness. The event is seen as bringing Divine wisdom to the human world. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month, falling on October 6th-7th this year.  

As seen through these examples, among others, spirituality is the harmonious alignment of one’s inner and outer worlds. Although often overlapped with religion, spirituality gives meaning to faith and is a way of life. It is truly healing—a salve that mends the broken, restores energy, infuses warmth and fixes numerous lives. Spiritual healing is not a destination, but a journey. In the words of French Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin,

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human existence.

Elizabeth Wang; Pinterest