Yesterday was Palm Sunday in Christian churches yesterday, which starts Holy Week; the last and final week before Easter. I've always marveled at the events celebrated in the Mass. We start by singing Hosannas and carrying palms, which remind us of the enthusiastic welcome Jesus received as he came into Jerusalem. Just a short time later, still clutching our palm fronds, we read the Passion of Christ: the events leading up to and including His death.
As we hold the fronds that we just used to praise and welcome Him, we are, as a congregation reading the part of the Jews before Pilate, asking for Him to be crucified. Because, really, we are that fickle. Remembering this year after year is always humbling.
Another thing struck me as I listened to the sermon. The Father Deacon who was speaking said that, during our spiritual journey with Jesus this Holy Week, will be preparing to die on the cross with Him, because that is the only way to get closer to our true selves and allow us to more fully celebrate the Resurrection at Easter.
This is not a new concept to my ears. I have heard it many times over the years in church and religious education. But this year I heard it with new ears because I've heard it in another, seemingly very different setting -- in the Bikram yoga studio. The idea I heard expressed there is that your "self" must die so you can realize your full Self and that is best done with a consistent yoga practice.
For a long time, I've believed that if a concept is found in more than one religion (i.e., Christianity and Buddhism) or two different schools of thinking, it is very likely a universal truth that we should pay attention to. Good to know that by practicing yoga I can improve my faith... and vice versa.
