Eclipses and a Secret to Mental Stability

So many spiritual traditions emphasize the central importance of daily practice to our growth and mental stability. This is doubly true at times of intense change, upheaval and conflict, such as now.

In addition to the current political turmoil, we are also in the window between two eclipses - the lunar eclipse a week ago Friday, March 14, and the solar eclipse this coming Saturday, March 29. (Did you know eclipses always come in two’s, two weeks apart - one on the full moon and the other on the new moon. How am I a full adult and only learned this fact in the last year?!)

One of my favorite Vedic astrologers and dear friend, Emily Glaser, has said that if there was only ONE thing she could share about astrology, it is the powerful impact that eclipses have on us. Typically eclipses create a feeling of unease or challenge, but they also unleash great potential for growth if we know how to harness it.

Vedic wisdom teaches that eclipses are times to go inward, not to be active or expressive in the outer world. It’s best not to initiate new projecVedic wisdom teaches that eclipses are times to go inward, not to be active or expressive in the outer world. It’s best not to initiate new projects or sign contracts around eclipses, but rather to pull back and re-evaluate our actions and goals, letting go of old behaviors that aren’t actually right for us anymore.

A surprise bonus is we can access spiritual truths more easily at this time. It's an ideal period for reflection, journaling, and intentional daydreaming, to ask, “What am I ready for - and what do I need to let go of in order to get there?” Eclipses prepare us for revelations, for new insight, and for letting go.

During the eclipse itself (in this case, approximately 5-9am Eastern on Saturday, March 29), it's considered wise to stay indoors, not to cook or eat, and to be mindful of what we do, as the energy of our actions will be amplified. It is an excellent time to meditate, pray, chant, or engage in any spiritual practice.

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As we move deeper into this challenging year, we may need a reminder of the inherent potential of any challenge to be a fertile field for growth, however painful or scary it may be. We may also need some tools to help us transform struggles into something positive. THAT is what spiritual practice offers.

Any spiritual practice gives us a context in which to face challenges, grapple with our own tricky mind, and grow in wisdom and mental stability. So what exactly qualifies as a "practice" here? There are 3 key components:

• It is something we DO (although the action may be to sit in stillness!)
• It improves the quality of the energy within and around us - it makes us feel more sattva, more clear, more connected to truth
• (and here’s the kicker…) We do it on a regular schedule, at the same time of day, for the same duration each time - not just when we “feel like it”

A spiritual practice could be lighting a candle, saying a prayer, doing yoga, writing a poem, walking in nature, or simply pausing to say “thank you” before eating. 

When we take on a spiritual practice, there are 2 layers of benefit. Perhaps most obviously, you reap the positivity of the action itself. If your practice is meditation, you feel peaceful and clear afterwards.

However, we receive another benefit when we run into resistance to the practice but DO IT ANYWAY. The mind is typically pushed around by desires - we can come up with a million better things to do at the appointed time, and these desires cause the mind to waffle from our higher aspirations. 

But if the practice was selected because it creates sattva and upliftment, then the mind is misguided if it’s trying to get us out of doing it. It’s this wrestling match between our higher self and our mind that transforms us, even more than the practice itself does. We start to poke holes in the tricks of the mind to thwart our higher intentions. We gain clear conviction, consistency of follow-through, and faith. For a person on a spiritual or healing path, these are huge boons.

So as we head into the challenges that may lie ahead, it’s an excellent time to find a practice - or better yet, to come back to a practice that you want to revitalize. Get specific about what you will do and when: the frequency and time of day. Then write it down or tell someone else. You're on your way.

In times of uncertainty, stability is often what we crave - so let's remember we can create stability through our practices. This doesn't mean it's easy. It usually isn't until we hit a groove that comes with repetition.

In the meantime, the best time-tested support is finding a group to practice with - a meditation circle, a yoga class, a spiritual book club, a hiking meet-up, or perhaps our Spring Digestive Reset! Keep reading for a variety of opportunities to practice together.

May we build upon this window of opportunity between eclipses for the benefit of our sweet, ailing world and the people we love.