20th December 2010

Adorable Self and Blessed Soul,

This message is about the upcoming lunar eclipse on December 20th evening and 21st morning. The total eclipse will be visible throughout North America. The eclipse is only partial in Europe and South America. The exact timing of its penumbral and umbral spread can be seen at this weblink:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2010Dec21T.pdf

or click to http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html
and select the box which says 2010 Dec 21 to upload the relevant page.

In general, eclipses indicate an interruption of energy of the luminaries and hence are deemed as important events for life on earth. The effect of the eclipses on any given individual depends on their particular position or placement of luminaries at the time of birth. This is calculated accurately by the Sanskrit-based Jyotisha which astronomically maps the coordinates of the heavenly bodies of the solar system at the time of birth using the Vedic soli-lunar calendar. Typically the effects last for six months if the eclipse is of particular significance to an individual, whereas it can last for a year if relevant to a country. If and how an eclipse affects an individual is a specific and detailed calculation and is in itself a vast subject.

Whereas eclipses and their effects have been feared by most traditions and cultures, meditators patiently wait for such moments to come forth. This is because the depth and power of meditation increases manyfold during an eclipse. In short, while it is ill-advised to be out and about or to conduct worldly chores during an eclipse, such an event brings an excellent opportunity for enhancing one’s meditation practice. Regular and persistent practice of meditation can be made to culminate in a new level or the attainment of a special result, a siddhi, from an eclipse. From this perspective, a total eclipse is a greater opportunity to excel in meditation, while a partial eclipse is somewhat less of an opportunity but nevertheless still not worth missing.

In North America, this total lunar eclipse on Monday night has a penumbral spread of about five and a half hours out of which about three and a half hours constitute the umbral period. For the Pacific time zone in the USA, the penumbral portion starts roughly at 21:30 on 20th Dec and ends at about 03:00 on 21st morning. The more important umbral eclipse lasts from 22:30 on 20th Dec until about 02:00 on 21st morning Pacific time. Such details can be deciphered from the above weblinks by using the Universal Time (UT) chart mentioned in the document. The Eastern time zone of the USA is five hours behind UT and should give a penumbral start of 00:30 on 21st Dec morning for this eclipse.

For a meditator to gain the maximum benefit, Sanskrit literature and tradition suggests fasting for 12 hours ahead of the penumbral start time for a solar eclipse and fasting 9 hours ahead of the lunar eclipse. This is of course difficult to practise with the modern lifestyle or present-day activities and especially on a worknight. However, some of the other aspects of preparing for an eclipse could perhaps be done, such as fasting during the entire penumbral period (already includes umbral portion) and even abstaining from drinking water during the eclipse. It is also recommended to wear clean clothes before the meditation and to take a shower and change clothes after the eclipse completely passes (for end of penumbral period, study the weblinks). One can wear fresh clothing specifically for the eclipse but is advised to change again after the shower. The meditation is of course (with eyes closed) and practiced indoors without watching the eclipse. Pregnant moms should stay indoors and not catch a glimpse of the eclipse.

For those planning to meditate during the eclipse or preparing to intensify their existing structured techniques of meditation, please plan to coincide your practice to maximize the overlap with the greatest eclipse time (centre of the umbral portion, which is more than three hours in the USA). One might repeat the meditation practice, especially an odd number of times (such as thrice) so that the central portion is during the centre of the umbral eclipse period.

This upcoming lunar eclipse in the USA allows for an indoor meditation of more than 5 hours. Therefore, one can plan the meditation routine in such a manner so that the most important repetitions fall inside the umbral part of the eclipse. Once again, the depth and quality is more important than mere repetitions. If the typical meditation practice using a set of techniques lasts one hour, then 5 repetitions of those sets can be done or each individual technique could be repeated longer making sure that at least one complete practice session is done inside the umbral eclipse. Sleeping after the shower would be fine. Similarly, breaking the fast after the shower is also okay. Seekers in countries where the eclipse is only partial or milder can still embrace the meditative practices; however, if the eclipse is not visible, the meditation effects do not multiply. This is the summary of relevant recommendations from the Sanskrit literature.

With my abounding wishes for the holidays,

Swami Vidyadhishananda