Renew Anew (December 2020 Newsletter)
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in Vancouver, BC
Photo Credit: Visible Hand via Flickr (CC-BY-2.0)
The world this season is suddenly different from the usual bustle we see around the holidays. There appears to be a blanket of silence, and the world is required to passively watch and wait instead of participating in this prayerful, joyous and hopeful season.
We all feel fear and anxiety. Understandably so. The virus flares, creating uncertainty.
Fear, anxiety and uncertainty about what? While we are obviously concerned about work, finances, caregivers and caretakers, there is a deeper concern. If we do a little soul-searching we find it is our fear of death.
In Sanskrit this is known as Abhinivesha, or the fear of death. Refer to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 2.9 (Chapter 2, Sutra 9). According to Indian/Hindu/Buddhist philosophy, the fear of death lies deep in all living creatures. Be it a worm or a child, no one wants to die. Perhaps you will say that it’s instinctive. But where does instinct get its information? it is always based on past experiences. If we haven’t experienced death before, how can this unreasonable fear be instinctive? It would indicate that we have been through this process before. Known as reincarnation, the philosophy rationalizes how we have experienced it before, perhaps many times, in many forms.
What can we do about it? Death is inevitable, so preparation would be appropriate. Whether it is your own death or that of loved ones, focus on what you can do internally to fortify yourself.
FOCUS on silence and meditation each day. How do we do this? Firstly, set aside a time for it. It doesn’t need to be long. 10 minutes is a good start.
Here are some simple steps:
Find a quiet place, inside or outside. Use it consistently.
Sit comfortably with upright back, hands resting in your lap. Palms up, one hand on top of the other, dominant hand under. Close your eyes partly and keep them focused.
Breathe! The goal is to make it slower, deeper, longer and more rhythmic. Pay attention to the breath. Breathe only through the nose. Keep your mouth closed the entire time.
Thoughts will arise. But they are drifting and imaginary. Let them go, saying, ‘Not now’. This is the whole point of yoga - to control the wandering mind.
Sound internally, and breathe ‘Aham Sa’ = ‘I am That’. (‘That’ refers to Universal Reality.)
After a good 5 minutes, switch it to ‘Sa Aham’ = 'That I am.' Pay attention to how you just reversed the flow of energy. Stay with the sound, focusing on what is stable and infinite within you.
When done, rest for a few minutes folded forward in Child Pose, or lie flat on your back in Shavasana.
Enjoy a rest filled, happy and calm holiday season. All is well.
Namaste,
sipra