April Full Moon - Exiting the eclipse portal

Hello Moonchild :)

How are you doing on this Full Moon Day? We are past the eclipse season. But things may be unfolding and making more sense now. Garner the lunar energies under this Full Moon to pause, recentre, find balance and calm, to receive guidance for the way forward.

In an Indian context, it is Chaitra Purnima* that is also observed as Hanuman Jayanti. We celebrate the birth of one of the central characters in the epic of Ramayana - Hanuman, known for his qualities of loyalty, courage, selflessness, humility, devotion, perseverance and strength. Contemplate on one or more of these these qualities that you may have and how they are supporting your life right now. Some of these may have come to serve you as part of the transformations fueled by the eclipses.

THE INVITATION FOR THE TIME IS TO BE IN SAMATVAM

All of us inherently have the ability to remain in a state of SAMATVAM, our natural state. A state of equanimity or even-mindedness. A state of mental and emotional balance and composure, characterized by the ability to remain calm and unperturbed in the face of all challenges and fluctuations. This will help you be a witness to the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of your life coming together.

Keep this in mind in all that you do today and tomorrow. Decide that you will flow through your day with grace, however packed or busy it is. Set that intention in your heart at the beginning of the day with a few breaths and your palm on your heart. Tell yourself that everytime you start to feel off-centre, you will simply place your palm on your heart, take a few breaths, and remember to be in Samatvam.

WHAT IS A RITUAL YOU CAN DO?

You will need: A quiet room, about 30 minutes to an hour, your journal If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising in.

Step 1

Centering

Sit in a meditative posture. Centre yourself by observing your connection with Mother Earth. Remember your ancestors and Gurus and seek their blessings. Visualize a Full Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you inhale and exhale a few times, ask the lunar energies to flow through you and guide you. Make an intention to be in a state of SAMATVAM.

Step 2

Body Movement

Go through a gentle movement practice that focuses on hip and heart opening. Add poses that aid release for your body.

Step 3

Moongazing

- Sit down, close eyes and feel a deep connect with Mother Earth.

- Open your eyes, gently gaze at the Moon for a while.

- Close your eyes and retain the image of this luminous Moon in your eyebrow centre.

- With every inhale visualize the healing white light flowing from your eyebrow centre into your body, filling it up gradually. With every exhale, visualize this white light clearing all blocks, anything that does not serve you anymore. Do this for 3 breaths.

- Then open your eyes, gaze at the moon again and repeat the practice.

- Do this 14 times

Step 4

Equal breathing

Continue to sit with an erect spine.

Watch your breath

Follow the journey of your inhale and exhale for a few breaths.

Allow your inhales and exhales to become comfortably equal. Do not force the breath.

After a few breaths, also start noticing the small pauses between the inhale and exhale and between the exhale and inhale. Those micro moments of no breath and silence are already there, you are only becoming aware of them, not forcefully creating them.

Continue equal breaths and observation of the pauses between the breaths for a while, till you feel completely at ease, calm and centred.

Rub your palms together and place the palms on your heart.

Remember the intention of SAMATVAM.

Notice if anything has surfaced for you as a result of the practice.

If yes, note this down in your journal.

Step 5

Closing

Close the ritual by offering gratitude to your ancestors, Gurus, the Moon and Mother Earth.

Have a calm and balanced Full Moon day!

Gratitude

Sheetal

*Full Moon in the month of Chaitra