May Full Moon- Checking in and Holding space for yourself

Hello Moonchild :)

How are you doing? I feel the need to really check in with you all, as I sense an intensity to this Full Moon that brings up a lot of emotions, some of which may be challenging to deal with. But know that these emotions are powerful resources that help you access/witness your inner landscape, so you can learn more about yourself. It is a kind of remembering rather, of who you really are. Empowered with this wisdom, you can chart your path forward in a more authentic and aligned manner.

It is also Buddha Purnima. It marks the birth anniversary, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. It is thus an auspicious day for Buddhists who have specific rituals and practices. In the context that I spoke about, we can look at it as a wonderful opportunity to examine our current situation, clear the cobwebs of doubt, confusion and the like, towards touching our inner space of authenticity and calm, shining our true light forth!

How can you channelize this Full Moon's energy?

Set aside about an hour ideally after Moonrise on the 12th.

(To know Moonrise timings, I use the My Moon Phase app)

Choose to do the practice in view of the Full Moon if the weather permits.

You will need a mat, a bowl of water with rock salt dissolved in it, your journal and a pen or an audio recorder.

STEP 1

Preparation with movement and breath

Sit in a meditative posture. Observe 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.

If you love chanting, you can also do the ‘Om Som Somaiyah Namah’ chant 7 times.

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

STEP 2

Become aware of your context – Journal or Speak and record

Answer the following questions either in writing or by speaking into an audio recorder.

Inquiry 1

What is taking up my attention in life at the moment?

Inquiry 2

What are my emotions and feelings associated with it?

Use this prompt for each emotion/feeling: I am experiencing.....

Read these once or listen to the recording. While you are doing so, stay aware of whatever surfaces within you.

Inquiry 3

How have I been managing my emotions/feelings?

Write honestly, from the heart, whether you have been reacting or responding.

Read this once or listen to the recording. Notice what feelings and emotions surface as you read/listen.

Close eyes, sit quietly and absorb this experience however it was for you. Breath comfortably.

STEP 3

Tuning into Lunar Wisdom - Cleansing & Visualization + Breathwork

Cleansing:

Take the bowl of salt water. Dip your fingers in it and smear the water on your feet, palms, heart centre, eyelids, ears, nostrils. Sense the coolness of the water and know that this process is cleansing you energetically. Drink some of the water mindfully,

Visualization + Breathwork:

Sit in a meditative posture. Visualize the luminous Full Moon in your eyebrow centre. With every inhale feel the white light/lunar energy flowing into your body, slowly filling it up. Visualize it eventually pouring into every cell. With every exhale, sense release of all that is not serving you, at a physical, mental and emotional level.

As you progress with this, equalize the duration of your inhales and exhales. Also start observing the pauses between the breaths. These pauses are spaces of silence, spaces that are the source of intuitive wisdom.

Do 28 breaths.

Once done, allow your breath to flow naturally and embrace the resulting silence and stillness.

STEP 4

Reviewing your context

Bring to mind your context that you wrote/spoke about. See how that feels for you now.

Use this prompt as you start speaking into your recorder or writing

I will navigate this time by....

Read/listen once you finish. If anything further occurs to you in the process, put that down too. Once done, pause, close eyes and take in the experience.

STEP 5

Affirmation

Write this down in capital letters.

I AM CALM, CONTENT, GROUNDED AND PROTECTED

Close your eyes, place your dominant palm on your heart and say it aloud, slowly and with feeling 3 times or more, till such time you sense it in your body.

STEP 6

Closing the ritual

Bring back the image of the Full Moon in your eyebrow centre for a few breaths.

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

Wish you a peaceful, grounding Full Moon practice! :)

Gratitude

Sheetal