A season of renewal: drawing from easter

Jai Gopali Dasi

This weekend, many around the world celebrate Easter- a time that marks resurrection, hope, and the triumph of love over death. Whether or not you observe Easter as a religious holiday, its themes are universally resonant: transformation, renewal, and the power of presence in times of uncertainty.

In the Christian tradition, Easter invites us to reflect on the mystery of life emerging from loss, and the sacred potential in new beginnings. But these themes echo across many faiths and wisdom traditions.

In Hinduism, the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara) reminds us that endings are never truly the end- they are gateways to deeper learning and becoming. Judaism teaches the power of teshuvah- returning, beginning anew- while Islam emphasizes mercy, forgiveness, and the constant possibility of redemption.

Even nature, in her own quiet way, is teaching us: buds push through cold soil, days grow longer, and the earth reminds us that life returns, even after deep dormancy.

Lately, I’ve noticed in myself a quiet urge to turn away from certain challenges—to avoid, to delay, to run. But in the spirit of Easter and the wisdom of many traditions, I’m learning that my own renewal begins not in escape, but in the courageous act of turning toward what feels hard. Perhaps resurrection, in our everyday lives, is choosing to stay present-again and again.

So whether your version of resurrection is showing up again after burnout, reconnecting with joy after grief, or simply making space to pause and breathe, may this season remind you that new life can always begin again, even in the smallest of ways.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and a few moments of stillness this week!