A chirping and our best Christmas gift

ONE early morning, while in my room lost in deep study and wrapped by an almost complete silence, yes, much like in a cocoon, I heard the happy chirping of a bird outside.

It startled me. It was my first time to hear such a beautiful tune, even though I have been studying or praying in my room for years. It could have been because of the unusual silence that prevailed that morning.

The bird's song was sweet and soft. I heard it very distinctly, caressing and lulling, and heavily playing on my imagination. For a while I allowed myself to enjoy the moment. It was like mini-bliss!

The sensation I felt was that of being called, as if asked to return to some distant home or to revisit the past when things were still pure, limpid and pristine. I actually found it funny and strange, but a strong surge of joy enveloped me.

The daily routine is quite different, you know. You don't escape it, of course. Fact is you cannot. There is still goodness in this daily grind, since this thing never disappears whatever the circumstance. But you have to fight for it.

The bird's tune stirred what seemed like a memory of effortless beauty and innocence. It seemed to call you back to where you belong. You know, you feel like you have strayed a little during the day, then the yearning for home comes.

But before I could fall into waxing sentimental or nostalgic, I remember we all need to have real moments of silence. We need silence to enter into another world where things become clear and objective, and where you get to see more and more things.

Yes, we need to have moments of silence to establish or regain a certain communion not only with nature nor with other persons, but mainly with God. This is the real need. We need to have time to be alone with God.

These moments of silence are essential in building up the spirit of recollection we all need. Without this silence, our senses ad faculties can get scattered, confused if not entangled with all sorts of things.

We need silence to be able to marshal all our senses and faculties to one unified effort and goal. This is what the spirit of recollection means. We need to constantly gather ourselves to be oriented integrally to our goal in life. You know, we get pulled and swayed by all sorts of forces everyday.

Even from the purely human point of view, without yet inputting the spiritual and supernatural considerations, this spirit of recollection gives us tremendous help and benefits.

It makes us think better, and in better control of ourselves. Our thoughts become more penetrating and explorative. Insights and realizations just drip and flow. Our grip of reality seems to get tighter and surer.

Our capacity to discern implications and consequences, to distinguish between what is essential and what is simply incidental, gets sharpened. We finally would be able to detach ourselves from conditionings to come to appreciate the substantial in life.

This is when you get to realize there is a richer world of the spiritual and supernatural. This is when the world of faith and religion comes in. With the spirit of recollection, you feel quite sure you can talk with no less than God.

And that prayer, while being supernatural, remains completely human and natural, complete with the feelings and excitement that goes with having to talk with the most important person in our life.

This is the usual problem of many people. They feel awkward even with the idea of praying, of holding some conversation with God. They profess belief in God, but they are almost clueless about how to deal with him in a natural way.

Looking for these moments of silence, cultivating this spirit of recollection can be the best Christmas gift we can have. We have to discipline ourselves to develop this. I am sure the investment is most worthwhile.

It is in this way that we can truly receive Christ, allowing him to be born in us, and to be with us whatever the circumstance. He actually wants to be with us, but it is us who often ignore him.

Don't be afraid that such practice would separate us from reality and alienate us from others. The experience of many who have cultivated this spirit of recollection unanimously point to the contrary. It would make us closer to everyone, and more aware of things.

Merry Christmas to all.