All Hallow's Eve: Honoring the Dead

Although largely thought of as a candy and dress-up fest, Halloween coincides with other Holidays celebrated around the world.


In Italy, the Catholic Church celebrates the two days after Halloween, November first and second, respectively, as All Saints Day and All Souls Day. During this time, families visit the graves of loved one who have passed on; they bring flowers, candles, and ask Saints to protect them in the year ahead.


In Mexico, these two days are marked by a plethora of intriguing customs that vary widely according to the ethnic roots of each region. Common to all, however, are colorful adornments and lively reunions at family burial plots, the preparation of special foods, offerings laid out for the departed on commemorative altars and religious rites that are likely to include noisy fireworks. In some localities November 1 is set aside for remembrance of deceased infants and children, often referred to as angelitos (little angels). Those who have died as adults are honored November 2.


Many other spiritual traditions see Halloween – also known as All Hallows’ eve or Samhain – as a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinned, allowing communications with ancestors and loved ones who have crossed over.


In some Celtic traditions, this date also marks the end of the spiritual year, and begins a new cycle of the wheel; it is common, during rituals, to hear practitioners wishing a happy new year to one another.


One of the common rituals on Halloween night is the “Silent Dinner”. A table is set up to include one or two places reserved for the souls of ancestors and loved ones who have passed on, and foods they have favored in life are often served. Name cards are placed in front of each place set, comprising the names of the living and the dead who will commune together. Once food is served, the living sit at the table - lights dimmed and sporting absolute reverence - and a small bell is rung three times to alert the dead that dinner is about to begin. Portions are served in every plate, including those reserved for the souls who are only present in spirit; the living begin to eat in silence, taking care of enjoying every bite of the food they are consuming, in honor of their ancestors. When dinner is over, the bell is rung again, to thank the ancestors and let them know they can leave. The food in the dead’s plate is usually taken outside to wild animals or carefully packed and delivered to the poor.


Although many attempt to attach an eerie image to the Silent Dinner, it is indeed a beautiful and peaceful occasion to connect to one’s roots, honor those who preceded us in this life, and come in touch with the souls who benevolently guide us in this life from the other side.

If We Finally Open Our Eyes

“It's odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don't quite fully share the hell of someone close to you.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson


According to “The Life of Buddha and His Greatness”, written by Narada Mahathera –

“One glorious day, as he went out of the palace to see the world outside, he came into direct contact with the stark realities of life. Within the narrow confines of the palaces, he saw only the rosy side of life; but the dark side, the common lot of mankind was veiled from him. His observant eyes met the strange sight of a decrepit old man, a diseased person, a corpse, and a dignified hermit. The first three sights convinced him of the inexorable nature of life and the universal sickness of humanity. The fourth signified the means to overcome the ills of life and attain calm and peace. Realizing the worthlessness of sensual pleasures highly prized by ordinary men, and the value of renunciation in which the wise seek delight, he decided to leave the world in search of Truth and Peace. With the march of time truth gradually dawned upon him. His contemplative nature and boundless compassion did not permit him to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of a royal household. He knew no woe, but he felt deep pity for sorrowing humanity. Amidst comfort and prosperity, he realized the universality of sorrow.”

Before venturing outside of his palace, Prince Siddhattha Gootama – later known as Buddha (the enlightened one) – lived a golden life, entirely unaware of the woes that affected humanity. In his world inside the palace walls, everything was perfect, and everything was done for him. Although I couldn’t find any literature indicating that he was ever dissatisfied with anything in particular, it is safe to assume that even the Buddha had his moments.

Something trivial might appear extremely important and devastating to us, until we are faced with greater challenges. Similarly, we become so absorbed into anything that happens within the confines of our own world, that we are often blind and deaf to the situations others are living. If everything is stable in our “bubble”, we find it hard to grasp that others on the outside may be living a much worse reality. We might be thinking that destiny is playing ugly tricks because our car broke down, or because we are experiencing minor health problems, or feel depressed because we can’t land the job of our dreams, but if we could truly see how many people lose more than a car or a job, or just how many live with chronic pain or a terminal illness, our problems would suddenly appear petty, even to us.

Sometimes stepping away from our personal dramas is key to “seeing” and learning how to be truly compassionate. And suddenly we will realize that our insurmountable blocks are nothing more than stepping stones on our path.


Information about the life of the Buddha can be found at: http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma2/budgreat.html

Shedding the Colors of Illusion

“Events tend to recur in cycles.” ~ W. Clement Stone



I sat on my deck, yesterday afternoon, and watched the pouring of leaves carried by a warm mid-afternoon wind. The colors were mesmerizing – bright gold, buttercup yellow, fiery red and rusty – and as the leaves continued to fall, the trees began to suddenly appear a little less full.

The steady stream of colors bunching up on the ground led me to think about the passage of seasons, and I soon got on a roll thinking how similar those seasonal changes are to the cycles we routinely go through.

Especially during this latest economic crash, it is even more evident how life works in cycles. As the leaves of materialism are steadily shedding, many find themselves vulnerable and at the mercy of unfriendly currents. Once the illusionary protection of the leaves is gone, the trees are left out in the cold and can only go dormant for the winter. During that time, they go through a process of regeneration which will gradually prepare them for renewal in the spring.

Similarly, as the blanket of security we have learned to associate with material possessions falls, we remain frightened and at the mercy of the elements even if the core of our being rests assured that the present cycle will draw to an end, and new beginnings will ensure survival. As we go within, we reconnect to our true selves, and are able to discover what our strengths and weaknesses are.

No low can last forever, just as any high would be robbed of its value if we were never reminded of it by occasional obstacles threatening to take it away.