Easter and Passover celebrate unique historical events, but they have similar spiritual significance. Each is a celebration of new beginnings and revival, and of deliverance and liberation.

While Easter celebrates deliverance from sin and a new beginning through Jesus Christ and his resurrection, Passover celebrates deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt and the freedom they regained to worship God as they choose. Both holidays also celebrate one or more miracles. For example, Passover commemorates the miracle of Moses splitting the Red Sea to allow the Jews to escape from the Egyptians pursuing them. Easter commemorates the miracle of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the overcoming of death and the promise of salvation.

The miracles give hope that no matter how broken the world may be, a greater power may intervene and bring redemption and new life.

In yogic terms, that greater power is found within us. It is the gift of God (Shiva) who is within us and is being us. The yogic “insurrection” and new beginnings come upon discovering that power within us and recognizing our Self with a capital S. And yoga’s Moses is the Guru: the one who leads us from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from death to immortality.

Both Easter and Passover are a celebration of life itself, a life made full by connecting to God and the Divinity within; and a life made full by contributing to the welfare of others, so that they, too, may be free and fulfilled. This establishes heaven on earth.

And, by the way, we celebrate Earth Day April 22. In addition, Arbor Day is on the 25th. May our planet — the foundation and sustenance of life — be reborn with cleaner air and water, and with climate change for the better.

Happy Easter. Happy Passover. Happy Earth Day. Happy Arbor Day.