Good morning! Welcome to the DKos Sangha weekly open thread.
This is an open thread for members of the DKos Sangha and others who are interested in discussions concerning how we integrate our progressive political activism into our spiritual practice. If you have observations about the political discourse of the week, or about practice, or about anything else related to walking a spiritual path through the political world, if you wish to share, or if you seek support, or if you simply want to say hello, please do; this space is for you.
If you would like to write a diary for the DKos Sangha, please let me know.
If you care nothing for spiritual practice and only wish to denigrate and disparage, please do so elsewhere, and respect that this is a community diary for the DKos Sangha.
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Here in North America, not only is today the Winter Solstice, it is also the New Moon. The Winter Solstice is the most Yin day of the year, and the New Moon is the most Yin day of the lunar cycle. It is a time of contraction and stillness.
As we are intimately part and parcel of this earth, this solar system, and this universe, we are deeply connected to these cycles of the sun and moon, and the seasons of the year.
With the New Moon and Winter Solstice occurring on the same day, it is an especially auspicious time for doing somatic meditation. Winter is the season for doing healing work deep in the body in preparation for Spring. It is a time for rest and restoration.
You can do somatic meditation lying down or sitting. Close your eyes and establish yourself in the breath.
You can begin anywhere in the body you choose; for some it might be helpful to start at the big toe, and for some it might be helpful to start where tension or tightness or discomfort are felt. And for some it might be helpful to start with one of the chakras; perhaps the second, the center of the body.
Wherever you start, focus your attention there; notice how that part of the body feels. Letting go of any separation between mind and body, letting go of all thoughts and ideas, feel deeply into that part of the body; experience that feeling.
On the next in-breath, breathe deeply into that part of the body; let the in-breath bring energy into that space, healing, restoring. And on the out-breath, let any tightness or tension or discomfort or disease release.
Continue breathing into that space, bringing energy into that space, for as long as you feel it is needed, releasing on each out-breath; then move on to the next space.
Do this practice however you wish and for as long as you wish. There are no rules. As you deepen your relationship with the body, a trusting in your own deep knowing develops.
When you have finished breathing into as much of the body as you wish, let the breath gradually and gently quieten. Feel the energy of the body. And rest in this space.
Be thankful for our Sun and our Moon, and for this Earth, on this day, the Winter Solstice.
Namaste
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You are welcome to join us each week in our Monday night group meditation here at DKos Sangha. This online group meditation is hosted by Ooooh, and the diary is posted at 7:00 Eastern. So that we are able to be together for as many here at Daily Kos as wish to participate, the meditation period runs from 7:30 to 10:00 Eastern. This group sitting is open to beginners and advanced, and is not restricted to any particular traditions or practices. It is not expected that you sit for the entire period; sit for as long as you like, when you like. The idea is that we are here together; supporting each other, holding space for each other.
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Enjoy your day!
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