We are approaching major holidays from two different faith traditions: one from the East and the other from the West. Both of these religions —Hinduism in the East and Judaism in the West, have provided the foundation for several others.
In today's world, after witnessing the chaos caused by various religious divisions, there are many who want to move away from old labels and traditions. And then there are those who feel compelled to remain steadfast, wishing to keep these customs alive for future generations.
For my part, I enjoy searching for the common thread between traditions—a core truth—and holding on to it. In doing so, I believe I am preserving the essence, like saving the baby before throwing out the bathwater!
One such common thread is found in the time period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in Judaism, and Navratri in Hinduism (meaning "nine nights"). Both holidays occur around the same time of year, as both traditions follow the lunar calendar, although some years the dates may differ slightly. Regardless, it seems that, on either side of the planet, ancient wisdom recognized this as a powerful time for an internal "cleanse".
For Hindus, Navratri is a time to honor the Divine Feminine, and each region of India celebrates this differently. Some fast, pray, and meditate, while others dance the nights away in celebration of the Goddess—both within oneself and in others. As with much of Hinduism, there is flexibility, allowing each person to find their own way of observance.
The way I see it, this is a time for the feminine—soul consciousness—to step forward, while the masculine ego takes a back seat. It is an invitation for our inner adult to pause and allow the inner child to emerge; a time to take a break from our usual pursuits and engage in activities that enable inward reflection. This holiday is meant to be our annual evaluation of the past year—not in terms of accomplishments and failures, but in terms of how soulfully we have lived, how far away we have veered from our authentic path, what emotions stirred us during the year, and what we did not take the time to feel.
I love that in the Jewish tradition, there is a practice of seeking forgiveness, of balancing inner giving and receiving with both gratitude and penitence—something my inner accountant very much approves of. I equally love the Hindu tradition of celebrating the 10th day of Navratri as a time to begin something new. In India, many music and dance schools begin their new year of classes on this day, starting with a student’s first-ever lesson. Some years ago, I inaugurated my new car on this day, even though I had brought it home from the showroom weeks earlier. That's just how you make an "auspicious" beginning!
Ultimately, these sacred traditions, though separated by geography and culture, remind us of the universality of inner work and renewal. Whether through seeking forgiveness, honoring the divine, or creating a new beginning, the underlying message is the same: set aside a time of the year to pause, reflect, and reboot.
As we enter this sacred period together, I invite each of you to see it as an opportunity to reconnect with your deeper self. Let this be a time for quiet reflection, an exploration of the inner world through whatever activity that facilitates it. Perhaps it’s also a time to engage with readings that support this journey — like The Yoga of Self-Love. This isn't so much about the book itself but about giving ourselves the permission to create a space in our lives where we reconnect with parts of us that yearn for healing, joy, and wholeness.
In essence, the invitation is simple: take this time for yourself, and in doing so, you'll find that you're truly embracing the essence of these sacred and timeless traditions.
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