November Full Moon - Dwell in your Heart!

Hello Moonchild :)

What has been transpiring in your life? Are you sensing the happenings and direction of the collective? Take a moment to reflect before you read further.

We revel in the Full moon energy today, November 15. In an Indian context, it is Karthik Purnima. Kartik month is considered to be the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. In the South of India it is celebrated as Kartika Deepam.

What do I sense...

I personally sense energies that create chaos in the emotional/mental field. Some of you might be faced with situations that make you say - "Oh not this feeling again!". This Moon is an opportunity to Solve and Shift.

What we see...

On the collective scene, we see the masculine playing out in extreme ways. Without results, disturbing peace and balance. And then you have the strong resurgence of the feminine, in different organized movements and nurturing practices that people are adopting all over the world. It is much needed.

Think about your own life.

Write or ponder about this:

Are you still stuck in the routine of things? Is your focus on getting things done and out of the way, getting ahead (whatever that may mean to you) irrespective of personal or professional life? Are you handling a million things by choice and often multitasking? Are you mindful of the smaller things? Is your life a lot of structure or could it do with some flow? Are you feeling and expressing enough without fear? Are you able to help and care for yourself and others around you? Gather your thoughts. Sit with them.

How to Solve and Shift?

This Full Moon's invitation is to dwell in the softness of the heart energy. Dip into everything that the heart is about - compassion, gratitude, nurturing, kindness, authenticity. NOW is all about embracing the feminine. Apply the lens of compassion to review what you are faced with. Allow space for new ways of being and doing. Embrace and overcome your fears. Shed preconceived notions and judgements. And stay grounded, kind and patient as you journey through the shift.

Practice suggestions:

A) Heart Meditation

You will need: A quiet room, about half hour to an hour if you are doing any movements. If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising in.

Sit in a meditative posture. Observe your connection with Mother Earth. Remember your Gurus and seek their blessings. Visualize a luminous 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. Scan the body from bottom to top to check in on any discomfort/tension/tightness/aches/pains. Make movements that can help ease these areas, make sure you breathe well.

Post this, you may choose to do a gentle movement/asana practice focused in the heart space.

Once again sit in a meditative posture. Allow the time it takes for the body to settle.

Take your awareness to the root chakra region, just above the perineal region, inside the body. Simply rest your awareness here for a few breaths. Then move awareness to the heart space. Notice the play of breath here. A slight expansion with the inhale and relaxation with the exhale. Get familiar with this natural rhythm of the breath. Then visualize a soft green light in the heart centre. With every breath, allow this light to fill up the entire chest cavity, nourishing and nurturing that region. Do this for 24 breaths. Notice feelings, emotions, experiences. Then slowly return to the root chakra region. Take a few breaths here. Gradually become aware of the body. Gently come out of the meditation.

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

Go back to your writing/pondering and observe what surfaces as you read/remember. Make notes if needed.

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B) An attitude of gratitude through the day

Throughout your day be aware of anything that comes your way, that makes you feel cared for and makes life easier for you. For eg. someone checking in on you, someone cooking for you/getting you food, someone putting your needs before theirs, someone helping you, someone being kind in a public place etc. Every time something happens, pause, acknowledge it and take a breath. As the inhale fills you up, think of it as a gift filling you up with fresh new energy. As you exhale, visualize sending this energy out to the universe, to be garnered by anyone who needs it.

Practice this for 14 days continuously. Then choose to extend it for another 14 days.

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C) Receive and Give happily

Everyday, do one thing for another, willingly, happily, without expectations. Remember to stay in your heart energy as you do the deed.

(Of course you can do more than one thing and for more than one person :) But do not exhaust yourself either!)

Stay aware that is is not just about giving, but also about being able to receive with an open heart, without guilt, when things come to you. Know that you deserve it. The balance of receiving and giving has to be maintained to preserve your heart energy.

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D) Soak in and Surrender to the presence of the divine

You can visualize a thumb-sized flame in your heart center, at the point where the inhale ends and exhale begins. This represents the divine consciousness. Meditate on this for a while.

If you have a deity or Ishta devata, you can meditate on the form with an attitude of love and complete surrender.

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You can choose one or more of the above practice options.

Last but not the least, once you put in your efforts, completely surrender to what unfolds!

Embrace the flow that follows. Touch your heart and trust it's guidance :)

Have a wonderful, enriching Full Moon time! :)

From my heart to yours

Lots of Love & Gratitude

Sheetal