Lent is not so much, at its core, about sacrifice (even if it feels that way at the time); rather it is an opportunity to get out of ourselves, to release ourselves from the bond of the negative ego. Since the ego is the predominant voice in our heads, the resistance ends up feeling like sacrifice.

The mythology or story that is the foundation of Lent is the tale of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert battling the devil. The devil is, of course, nothing more than an externalization of the negative ego. All of the polarity in the Universe, all of the temptation and resistance and distraction that we experience, exists within us. When we get down to our core, our true self, what we struggle with most of all is ego.

At your core, you are happy and perfect. Everything else that you experience is illusion, a construct of the ego, designed to keep you from the perfect realization of your Divine self. If that sounds pointless and stupid to you, think of it this way — without something to choose against, this would not be a free will universe; without an uncomfortable option, we would not be able to have an experiential understanding of the beauty and perfection of being our true selves; without resistance, without struggle, we would not grow.

So why not spend the rest of Lent (about 36 days) focusing on your True Self, focusing on happiness and choosing the path of the non-ego, and letting everything else fall away (regardless of your belief system)? Why not make Lent about choosing to be your True Self?

I will be doing weekly Labyrinth walks in Glendale for the Lenten season, and a few in Long Beach as well, if you would like to join me.  Please check the Upcoming Classes & Events page for scheduling.