Navigating in the Darkness

​As we enter into the last month of 2016, we begin to reflect on the events, emotions and relationships that shaped our paths this year.  Take a moment to reminisce.  What gave you peace during the year?  What continues to disturb your peace?
 
Nature is also feeling the change with shorter days and more darkness.  She is encouraging us all to go within and reevaluate.  Give yourself more time this month to reflect before the New Year, to show gratitude and to let go.
 
Here are a few steps to get you started on your peaceful reflection.
 

1. Rest more this month.  Animals hibernate and our bodies adjust to less light with more breaks.  Allow yourself to take several 1-5 minute peace breaks during the day.
2. Integrate your prayers into your yoga (asana) practice.  For each sun salutation (or your choice of a sequence), dedicate one to the following:
   1. To love ones or those we may be in conflict with
   2. To your internal world
   3. To your external world
   4. To your spiritual world
3. Light a candle.  Contemplate on what is no longer serving you, and what you can let go into the darkness.
4. A breath is a rebirth.  It begins.  It ends.  The cycle continues.  Practice this empty bowl meditation everyday to remind you how important time is, and you can always be filled with love and peace.

 
Empty bowl meditation (as taught be Dr. Vasant Lad)
The Empty Bowl Meditation emphasizes breath awareness and the natural stops at the end of each inhalation and exhalation.  In these two stops, time stops.  You are surrounded with peace and love.  You become like an empty bowl.
 
Come into either seated or lying down.  Allow your breath to draw in and out through your nose evenly and naturally.  Slowly, begin to add a pause at the end of the inhale and then at the end of the exhale.  Continue to breathe with the stops.
 
As you pause, the breath stops and time stops, placing you in the present moment.  When you breathe in, your empty bowl fills with compassion, love and peace.  As you exhale, you begin the process again.  Each time you breathe, your heart fills a little more.
 
Peace be with you.