Sat Nam! Happy official start of Summer and the Summer Solstice!
Traditionally, Summer signifies a time of year and life when we can kick back a bit, celebrate, play more, relax and rejuvenate, take vacations and a much needed break from routine and schedules,. Remember the thrill of being a kid, out of school for three months and the absolute JOY of doing nothing? I invite us all to explore ways we can bring out the inner child a bit, play more and take time to unplug from the demands of daily life.
In addition to a time for fun and play, June 21st, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year and has been celebrated for millennia as one of the most spiritually potent moments of the year. The peak energy of the sun at this time offers a unique opportunity for spiritual development, insight, and healing. So, lets find out exactly what is Solstice and explore how we can be light-hearted, have some fun AND celebrate the light of consciousness within ourselves, within each and every person, and to reflect upon the potential for consciousness to awaken.
Traditionally, Summer signifies a time of year and life when we can kick back a bit, celebrate, play more, relax and rejuvenate, take vacations and a much needed break from routine and schedules,. Remember the thrill of being a kid, out of school for three months and the absolute JOY of doing nothing? I invite us all to explore ways we can bring out the inner child a bit, play more and take time to unplug from the demands of daily life.
In addition to a time for fun and play, June 21st, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year and has been celebrated for millennia as one of the most spiritually potent moments of the year. The peak energy of the sun at this time offers a unique opportunity for spiritual development, insight, and healing. So, lets find out exactly what is Solstice and explore how we can be light-hearted, have some fun AND celebrate the light of consciousness within ourselves, within each and every person, and to reflect upon the potential for consciousness to awaken.
What is Solstice?
It is the longest day of the year, and the official beginning of Summer. In the Northern hemisphere this year it is June 21st, 2014 at 6:51 am EDT.
It is traditionally a time of honoring the fertility of the earth and the sun’s blessing of warmth and light. In Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras 3.26 it’s written in translation, “One learns from the perfect discipline of the sun and solar system.”
The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium: from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop). This week, make time to stop and acknowledge how far you’ve come and set your intentions for what you want to create in your life in the second half of the year until the Winter Solstice. It's a beautiful time to honor Mother Earth, and all of her abundant blessings and offerings, and to remember that YOU are a unique and radiant part of this abundance.
It is the longest day of the year, and the official beginning of Summer. In the Northern hemisphere this year it is June 21st, 2014 at 6:51 am EDT.
It is traditionally a time of honoring the fertility of the earth and the sun’s blessing of warmth and light. In Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras 3.26 it’s written in translation, “One learns from the perfect discipline of the sun and solar system.”
The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium: from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop). This week, make time to stop and acknowledge how far you’ve come and set your intentions for what you want to create in your life in the second half of the year until the Winter Solstice. It's a beautiful time to honor Mother Earth, and all of her abundant blessings and offerings, and to remember that YOU are a unique and radiant part of this abundance.
Growing in the Light
Light is spiritual in its nature, and since this is the longest period of time of Light on the earth all year, we know that the sun and stars have a spiritual significance - a significance that is amplified on the longest day of the year.
The summer solstice is therefore a highly spiritual time. The summer solstice is often described as the "gate of ascent out of this world into the realm of spirit". ** WOW.. what an opportunity to ascend out of this world for a bit and into a Light Filled space?
**This quote/information is from the original article by Belsebuub and Angela Pritchard, The Spiritual Meaning of the Summer Solstice. To read the entire original article, click here.
Light is spiritual in its nature, and since this is the longest period of time of Light on the earth all year, we know that the sun and stars have a spiritual significance - a significance that is amplified on the longest day of the year.
The summer solstice is therefore a highly spiritual time. The summer solstice is often described as the "gate of ascent out of this world into the realm of spirit". ** WOW.. what an opportunity to ascend out of this world for a bit and into a Light Filled space?
**This quote/information is from the original article by Belsebuub and Angela Pritchard, The Spiritual Meaning of the Summer Solstice. To read the entire original article, click here.
Ascending to the Light Within
As a Kundalini Yoga teacher, I teach about moving energy through breath and allowing the energy centers, or chakras, of the body to balance and harmonize organically. I also teach that it is very important for people to move with the cycles of nature, and actually feel them. Since we are made of energy, and connected energetically to all of the Universal energy and Life force, if we can have a real physical experience in our finite body of that Infinite energetic connection, then we can navigate through all of our challenges with much more ease and grace. For example, if you get up early in the morning and you watch that special sunrise, you've actually been a part of it. WOW. Take a moment, pause, breath deeply, and absorb how truly powerful that is.
Take it one step further, and start the day with your Sadhana, a yoga class or your own sacred time to feel your connection to your I AM, your SAT NAM, and your Truth. When we attune ourselves to the rhythms of the natural world and invite the seasons of waxing and waning, of birth, growth, death and renewal to reverberate more consciously in our lives, then we naturally begin to seek the inner GURU. Simply put, GU means DARK and RU means LIGHT. As seasons change it reflects our opportunity to observe this cyclical shift. When the Sun rises to the highest point in the sky, we can be reminded of our own radiance, strength, and power to ascend to our fullest potential.
As a Kundalini Yoga teacher, I teach about moving energy through breath and allowing the energy centers, or chakras, of the body to balance and harmonize organically. I also teach that it is very important for people to move with the cycles of nature, and actually feel them. Since we are made of energy, and connected energetically to all of the Universal energy and Life force, if we can have a real physical experience in our finite body of that Infinite energetic connection, then we can navigate through all of our challenges with much more ease and grace. For example, if you get up early in the morning and you watch that special sunrise, you've actually been a part of it. WOW. Take a moment, pause, breath deeply, and absorb how truly powerful that is.
Take it one step further, and start the day with your Sadhana, a yoga class or your own sacred time to feel your connection to your I AM, your SAT NAM, and your Truth. When we attune ourselves to the rhythms of the natural world and invite the seasons of waxing and waning, of birth, growth, death and renewal to reverberate more consciously in our lives, then we naturally begin to seek the inner GURU. Simply put, GU means DARK and RU means LIGHT. As seasons change it reflects our opportunity to observe this cyclical shift. When the Sun rises to the highest point in the sky, we can be reminded of our own radiance, strength, and power to ascend to our fullest potential.
Great Ways to Utilize the Power of Solstice for Personal Enlightenment
This is the perfect time to stop and have an honest talk with yourself. Some questions to ask:
This is the perfect time to stop and have an honest talk with yourself. Some questions to ask:
- How has the start of summer made you thirsty for your greatest happiness?
- What new steps are you taking that are really important to you?
- What are you nurturing that really matters to you?
- What are you excited about right now?
- Where are you growing?
- What 3 things are you fired up to do this summer?
Tips for Lighting Your Inner Fire
- Plan to try something new this summer (salsa dance lessons, learn a new language, YOGA class - link to my classes here, of course :)
- Plan an excursion to somewhere you’ve never been before or to an activity that you've never tried before (I'm going to try stand up paddle boarding)
- Create a Fire Mandala (Mind Map). Take a piece of paper and fold in half. On one side draw a circle representing The Present Moment and put yourself and what is consuming your life right now. On the other side draw a circle and put yourself in it and include everything that you want more of in your life. Now compare circles. Where you are is constantly evolving towards where you want to go.
- Today is an excellent opportunity to attend a Yoga Mala (108 Sun Salutations) or any other honorary celebration of yoga as devotional practice to the sun and all it inspires. Remember, you are offering the salutation to the light of something greater supporting you in your journey towards your dream.
- Practice the Meditation Below to find your inner Light, wisdom and a way through every block.
Solstice Meditation
Second Sutra - There is a Way Through Every Block
This mantra is a personal favorite of mine and very powerful. I have been practicing it every day since the beginning of this year, and have manifested some amazing clarity and Light!
Posture: Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with a straight spine.
Mudra: Bring the hands in front of the throat, forearms parallel to the ground. The left hand is palm down; the palm is flat and the fingers point to the right. Extend the left thumb toward the throat. Bring the right thumb between the left thumb and index finger, placing it in the center of the left palm and allow the fingers of the right hand to rest on the back of the left hand. Lock the right thumb in place and apply firm pressure on the left palm. Hold the position at the level of the throat about six inches in front of the body.
Eyes: Closed
Mantra: Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Hai Bhay Sach, Naanak Hosee Bhay Sach**
Breath: Inhale deeply and completely exhale as the mantra is chanted in a monotone. Inhale and continue.
Time: 31 minutes (or what works for you).
Comments: Be sure to keep the arms parallel to the ground. The key to this meditation is locking the right thumb and keeping firm pressure on the center of the left hand. Your thumb may become sore after a while but be strong and don’t give an inch.
© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan
** To listen to the pronunciation of this mantra, or download the music, click HERE
Further Comments by Gurucharan Singh: Let each sound resonate through your whole being like a pebble across the calmest of ponds. And in that complex matrix of ripples you are still personally present and feel your vastness in equal proportion to your specific finiteness. You are in this body—at this time—timelessly and fully engaged. When you listen from the doorway between the finite and Infinite, the mantra you recite becomes the shabad—a sound that dissolves the ego as it invites the Infinite through the heart that you embody. As Yogi Bhajan instructed us:
“This is a Shabad. If you can perfect that Shabad—perfect means when you can recite it correctly at any time without any hindrance while reciting, this is the perfection of the Shabad. While reciting you can hear it accurately. You hear it within yourself, not anybody else. That means it is perfected. Then whenever you will perform it the master miracle will happen.”
The practice of this meditation, even briefly, locates you in your heart, opens your perception, and lets you immediately recognize the way forward. All the blocks that seemed absolute dissolve. When darkness and struggle seem to surround you, a ray of light finds its way in and it is even easier to see through the darkness. This is a state of ordinary miracles. This is a steady state of gratitude to see the constant flow of miracles that accompany you on your path. That is Dharma!
Second Sutra - There is a Way Through Every Block
This mantra is a personal favorite of mine and very powerful. I have been practicing it every day since the beginning of this year, and have manifested some amazing clarity and Light!
Posture: Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with a straight spine.
Mudra: Bring the hands in front of the throat, forearms parallel to the ground. The left hand is palm down; the palm is flat and the fingers point to the right. Extend the left thumb toward the throat. Bring the right thumb between the left thumb and index finger, placing it in the center of the left palm and allow the fingers of the right hand to rest on the back of the left hand. Lock the right thumb in place and apply firm pressure on the left palm. Hold the position at the level of the throat about six inches in front of the body.
Eyes: Closed
Mantra: Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Hai Bhay Sach, Naanak Hosee Bhay Sach**
Breath: Inhale deeply and completely exhale as the mantra is chanted in a monotone. Inhale and continue.
Time: 31 minutes (or what works for you).
Comments: Be sure to keep the arms parallel to the ground. The key to this meditation is locking the right thumb and keeping firm pressure on the center of the left hand. Your thumb may become sore after a while but be strong and don’t give an inch.
© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan
** To listen to the pronunciation of this mantra, or download the music, click HERE
Further Comments by Gurucharan Singh: Let each sound resonate through your whole being like a pebble across the calmest of ponds. And in that complex matrix of ripples you are still personally present and feel your vastness in equal proportion to your specific finiteness. You are in this body—at this time—timelessly and fully engaged. When you listen from the doorway between the finite and Infinite, the mantra you recite becomes the shabad—a sound that dissolves the ego as it invites the Infinite through the heart that you embody. As Yogi Bhajan instructed us:
“This is a Shabad. If you can perfect that Shabad—perfect means when you can recite it correctly at any time without any hindrance while reciting, this is the perfection of the Shabad. While reciting you can hear it accurately. You hear it within yourself, not anybody else. That means it is perfected. Then whenever you will perform it the master miracle will happen.”
The practice of this meditation, even briefly, locates you in your heart, opens your perception, and lets you immediately recognize the way forward. All the blocks that seemed absolute dissolve. When darkness and struggle seem to surround you, a ray of light finds its way in and it is even easier to see through the darkness. This is a state of ordinary miracles. This is a steady state of gratitude to see the constant flow of miracles that accompany you on your path. That is Dharma!
Thanks for being with me this week. I wish you all a bountiful, blissful and beautiful Solstice. See you next week.
May the Long time Sun Shine Upon You
All Love Surround You
And the Pure Light Within You
Guide Your Way On
Sat Nam!
Vikki
May the Long time Sun Shine Upon You
All Love Surround You
And the Pure Light Within You
Guide Your Way On
Sat Nam!
Vikki
