6 ways to mindfully celebrate Holi

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Celebrate Holi mindfully with Dr Chandni Tugnait’s tips for setting intentions, embracing inner child’s joy, honoring traditions, and fostering intergenerational bonds. Stay grounded, practice self-awareness, and nurture gratitude amid the colorful festivities.

With the approach of spring, a rainbow of colours emerges, covering everything around us in vibrant colors. The festival of Holi comes with a celebration that crosses boundaries and awakens the soul with its infectious, bountiful energy. However, beneath the noisy partying comes an opportunity to adopt a more meaningful approach that acknowledges the festival’s rich symbolism while encouraging personal growth, creative expression, and a stronger connection to the environment around us.

In this article, Dr Chandni Tugnait shares six ways to mindfully celebrate Holi.

Dr Tugnait is M.D. (Alternative Medicines), Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Business Coach, NLP Expert, Healer, Founder & Director- Gateway of Healing. Read on to know more:

1. Set an intention: Before the festivities begin, take a moment to set an intention for how you want to show up during the celebrations. This could be anything from being fully present to spreading joy to others.

2. Awaken the inner child: As you prepare for the festivities, remember the pure, unbridled joy you felt as a child – the freedom to laugh without restraint, dance without self-consciousness, and embrace life’s brilliant colors without fear of being judged. Intentionally bring back that childish sense of wonder and whimsy, enabling it to infuse your Holi celebrations with a genuine, bright energy that transcends age or cultural expectations.

3. Honour cultural traditions: This year, spend time exploring and honouring your ancestral roots by engaging in traditional ceremonies like the Holika bonfire, which symbolizes the triumph of virtue over evil. Alternatively, dig into the ancient myths and mythology that support the holiday, allowing their timeless wisdom to infuse your celebrations with a greater sense of significance and respect.

4. Nurture intergenerational connections: Consider creating an intergenerational event where elders may share their stories, knowledge, and experiences from previous Holi celebrations while youth can infuse the festivities with colorful energy and new insights. This not only promotes a greater appreciation for the festival’s rich history but also fosters a sense of community, respect, and understanding among generations.

5. Embrace eco-conscious practices: Avoid using synthetic colors that contain harmful chemicals. Instead, opt for natural colors made from flowers, herbs, and spices. Be mindful of the water you use and try to conserve as much as possible. Avoid throwing colors on animals and birds as it can be harmful to their health. Clean up after yourself and dispose of any waste responsibly.

6. Cultivate mindful presence: It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and lose sight of the festival’s underlying meaning. To genuinely embody the spirit of Holi, make a concerted effort to maintain a mindful presence throughout the festivities. Be mindful of the sensory overload. The sights, sounds, and sensations of Holi can be overwhelming for some people. Take breaks when needed and engage in grounding exercises to stay present and centered.

As you immerse yourself in the panorama of colors and the infectious enthusiasm of the crowd, take a moment to pause and connect with your breath, allowing yourself to be present. This exercise not only allows you to experience the festival’s joy and beauty fully, but it also promotes a deeper sense of gratitude, self-awareness, and inner calm.