Hari Aum.
Another year comes to an end. Hope all readers had a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate). As many of you were probably aware, last night (Dec 25th) a solar eclipse took place. Many astrologers said it was a unique one as it involved six planets together in the sign of Sagittarius. Eclipses can indicate some significant changes in our life, some fructification of our karma (both individually and collectively).
The more one performs spiritual practices (sadhana), the less one will be influenced by one's own negative karma. The eclipse last night was an excellent opportunity to do sadhana such as japa, puja, homam, kirtan and so on. The yogis say that the positive effect of spiritual practices on oneself and the world at large is magnified when these are done during an eclipse. (I've written more about eclipses here-- https://mantrayoga.blogspot.com/2017/08/eclipse-enhancing-power-of-japa.html)
My fourth purascharana has been rumbling along at a steady pace. This is probably the most challenging and rewarding one I've done so far. I felt inspired to write the four Krishna books during this time (something I'd never planned to do but really enjoyed doing). I also had a baby and started the adventure of parenthood (which I see as part of my spiritual life) during this purascharana. Finally, I had some inspiring and encouraging dreams, some of which interestingly came true in real life. I feel I've been tested by God and given the strength to cope with these tests in the past two years. And now this purascharana is finally coming to an end. It will end in about six weeks time (slightly later than originally planned due to having a baby but fortunately not that much later!).
After months of sleep-deprivation (thanks to baby!), I wondered if I would have the stamina to wake up in the early hours of the morning and do japa during the eclipse. By the grace of the Divine Mother and my Guru, I did manage it and feel very grateful to them! I sat and did japa for about 2.5 hours with a fairly reasonable level of concentration (though it did reduce towards the end as I felt tired). This was significantly beyond my usual ability as I can normally sit for about an hour at a time before I feel the need for a break.
There is another eclipse, a lunar one, coming up in about two weeks. I'm hoping to utilise that one for spiritual practice too. Who knows what the future holds. We must keep going and hope for the best.
On that optimistic note, I'd like to wish all readers a very happy new year. May God bless us all with peace, joy and prosperity, and most of all, with spiritual advancement.
Also, as in previous years, the four Krishna books will be available for free download on New Year's day as well as the day before and the day after (Dec 31, Jan 1 and 2 from midnight PST). (I'm working on the paperback versions of books 3 and 4-- apologies for the delay, hope to have these out in the coming months).
This is the link for the books (you need the free Kindle app to download them on to your phone/tablet/computer):
https://www.amazon.com/Vishnupriya-Devi/e/B07B95YQCV%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Hari Aum Tat Sat
Another year comes to an end. Hope all readers had a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate). As many of you were probably aware, last night (Dec 25th) a solar eclipse took place. Many astrologers said it was a unique one as it involved six planets together in the sign of Sagittarius. Eclipses can indicate some significant changes in our life, some fructification of our karma (both individually and collectively).
The more one performs spiritual practices (sadhana), the less one will be influenced by one's own negative karma. The eclipse last night was an excellent opportunity to do sadhana such as japa, puja, homam, kirtan and so on. The yogis say that the positive effect of spiritual practices on oneself and the world at large is magnified when these are done during an eclipse. (I've written more about eclipses here-- https://mantrayoga.blogspot.com/2017/08/eclipse-enhancing-power-of-japa.html)
My fourth purascharana has been rumbling along at a steady pace. This is probably the most challenging and rewarding one I've done so far. I felt inspired to write the four Krishna books during this time (something I'd never planned to do but really enjoyed doing). I also had a baby and started the adventure of parenthood (which I see as part of my spiritual life) during this purascharana. Finally, I had some inspiring and encouraging dreams, some of which interestingly came true in real life. I feel I've been tested by God and given the strength to cope with these tests in the past two years. And now this purascharana is finally coming to an end. It will end in about six weeks time (slightly later than originally planned due to having a baby but fortunately not that much later!).
After months of sleep-deprivation (thanks to baby!), I wondered if I would have the stamina to wake up in the early hours of the morning and do japa during the eclipse. By the grace of the Divine Mother and my Guru, I did manage it and feel very grateful to them! I sat and did japa for about 2.5 hours with a fairly reasonable level of concentration (though it did reduce towards the end as I felt tired). This was significantly beyond my usual ability as I can normally sit for about an hour at a time before I feel the need for a break.
There is another eclipse, a lunar one, coming up in about two weeks. I'm hoping to utilise that one for spiritual practice too. Who knows what the future holds. We must keep going and hope for the best.
On that optimistic note, I'd like to wish all readers a very happy new year. May God bless us all with peace, joy and prosperity, and most of all, with spiritual advancement.
Also, as in previous years, the four Krishna books will be available for free download on New Year's day as well as the day before and the day after (Dec 31, Jan 1 and 2 from midnight PST). (I'm working on the paperback versions of books 3 and 4-- apologies for the delay, hope to have these out in the coming months).
This is the link for the books (you need the free Kindle app to download them on to your phone/tablet/computer):
https://www.amazon.com/Vishnupriya-Devi/e/B07B95YQCV%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Hari Aum Tat Sat
Hi, but isn't the upcoming lunar eclipse a penumbral one? Not observed by Hindus and therefore not counted for grahana purascharan? Correct me, if I am wrong.
ReplyDeleteNamaste,
DeleteAs far as I am aware, all eclipses have some significance and are useful for sadhana.
Best wishes