Namaste Dear Sonic Community,
The Winter Solstice is upon us. In less than three weeks we will be experiencing the shortest day and longest darkest night. I know this time of year can be challenging for some, I admit it can be depressing watching the days grow shorter and shorter until the the sun sets at 4pm !
But, there are powerful gifts in the darkness, and I’d love to share a few with you !
The darkness allows us to seek out and connect more profoundly with our inner light. The darkness calls us inward, it helps us to go deeper in our meditation practice. It allows for self reflection and self inquiry, which ultimately lead to healing, growth and transformation.
The darkness brings context and allows the inner light to shine even more brightly. It’s like entering into a long dark tunnel and trusting that the brilliant sun light shines on the other side. Or mining in a dark cave for the brilliant diamond that lies shining within. It helps us to discover who we truly are.
I’d like to share one of my favorite practices for inner contemplation and reflection.
It is from the Self Inquiry School and adapted from Ramana Maharshi.
The practice of self-inquiry is about releasing the identification with the “I” or the ego and seeking to discover who or what we truly are. It’s about seeing the light of our soul and recognizing that we are part of the great awareness itself.
The idea is not to engage the mind. Just to ask the questions and to listen and when the answers rise up to put them aside and ask the question again so you can go deeper and deeper into pure awareness.
Self-Inquiry Meditation Practice
1. Bring your awareness to your body and feel into your body
Then repeat “I am not this body.”
2. Bring your awareness to your five senses and observe.
Then repeat “I am not these senses.”
3. Bring your awareness to your breath, feel your emotions.
Then repeat “I am not my breathe, I am not these emotions.”
4. Bring your awareness to your thoughts. Become the witness.
Then repeat “I am not these thoughts.”
5. Bring your awareness to your spiritual consciousness and contemplate.
then repeat “ Who Am I ? Who Am I? Who Am I?”
Ask the questions WHO AM I ? Look for the light within and just listen. If answers come up, just put them to the side and do not engage. Ask the question again. Continue to go deeper in Self Inquiry.
Take note of any sensations, thoughts, or visions that are coming up for you. Do you see the light of your consciousness ?
Continue with this practice and go deeper until you start to hear the Universe speaking through you revealing your true self.
Enjoy this sacred time of self exploration and reflection. May you discover the gem of your inner light and may you shine it out into the world.
With Love + Light,
Lauren
