29th January 2010

Blessed Soul and Adorable Self,

Contemplative moonlit walks or gatherings are a time-honoured tradition at the time of the full moon. This message is to remind you of the upcoming full moon. An important tradition of meditation in the light of the full moon is also introduced.

This coming full moon will peak at 10:15pm on Friday, 29th January 2010 in the western time zone of the United States, and at 11:45am on Saturday, 30th January 2010 in India. One can easily find the peak full moon time and date in one’s own location (latitude and longitude) by using web-based resources. I encourage you to find the peak full moon time in your area if you are not sure.

This first full moon of 2010 happens to be in the eclectic Pushya Naxatra (wherein Naxatra means a lunar asterism), in the watery constellation of the zodiac sign Cancer. Pushya is considered a very auspicious placement for the moon. And the subtle strength of the moon is also augmented by being posited in Cancer, moon’s own home-zodiac.

The peak full moon happens when the moon is directly opposite the Sun during its twelve-degree overlapping transit. Tradition calls for gazing at the moon just before dawn if the peak full moon happens before the sunset of a particular day but was not at its fullest the previous evening. Similarly, gazing at the full moon can be done in the evening before retiring if the peak full moon actually happens to be after the sunset.

For example, for the upcoming full moon, meditative gazing at the moon should be done in California at 10:15pm on the 29th when it will be at its fullest and roundest! But in India, it will be better to do meditative gazing in the early hours of the morning before sunrise on the 30th because the peak full moon is at 11:45am on that day. The pre-dawn viewing is often necessary because the peak full moon can be staggered nearly in between two consecutive evenings, neither of which might show the fullest moon. For auspicious functions to be scheduled in the morning on a full moon day, the moon within six degrees before crossing the Sun at the time of sunrise is considered optimal.

The moon is hailed as the giver of soma (subtle nectar cultivated in nature due to moonlight). The full moon bestows a subtle mental coolness that is as sweet as nectar and rejuvenates the mind. Sanskrit literature hails the moon to be the indicator of mind. It has synergy with water and negative ions, as found in the mist by the sea, whereas the Sun is the agni and synergistic with fire and positive ions. Sanskrit literature places the Sun akin to a self-lit conscious entity or simply the lighted-soul principle. On a full moon night, the soma replenishes all plants. And matching the harvesting with the lunar cycle coupled with organic growing principles prevents bugs from infecting the plants.

A profound meditation tradition calls for a direct fixation on the full moon. The practice urges the meditator to take position and undertake an open-eye meditation on the rising moon. The rising moon is minutely tracked with continuously focused attention without straining the eyes. Blinking is consciously undertaken if the moon appears to double up horizontally. Following an initial effort, the eyes remain effortlessly open and gradually the mind gets fixated or confined on the distant moon.

In this meditation, the eyes become focused in the distance and therefore do not yield to watering or discomfort. As usual in any meditation, spontaneity is important. Strain from keeping the eyes open implies improper technique. Too much effort or repeated distraction might diminish the divine enchantment. When done correctly, one can imbibe coolness in the mind with this meditation. Even a short successful meditation brings about a cooling rejuvenation and a clearing of the mind.

Weather permitting, I urge you toward an undisturbed sighting of this coming full moon to gather the merits from a cooling meditation. If you are a regular meditator with a predefined meditation routine, you should plan for your extended practice in and around the full moon period. For a beginner in the tradition of moon-gazing, even a contemplative walk under the full moon can be a mystical experience.

With my divine embrace and encouragement to meditate upon the full moon,

Swami Vidyadhishananda