The Turn of the Year
By Michael Erlewine
As mentioned in an earlier post, the end of the year for me is the point of the Winter Solstice, not the Gregorian Calendar and January 1st. And so, in my book, we are already around that corner as the Sun heads northward. Light is increasing.
Since the Winter Solstice, winter has officially started, the temperature grows colder, and the winds become more obvious and chilling.
Here in north-western Michigan (Lower Peninsula), in Winter, unless we are snowshoeing or whatever, most of our time is spent indoors. This year there has not yet been any real snow.
Certainly, thanks to the Winter Solstice, my indoor plant lighting has reached a low point, where even at full blast, the plants are not getting enough light, so there is that. I am trying to move the plants closer to the light, and I’ll have to wait it out and see if there is enough light to grow anything.
And so, given all the above, here we are, heading into winter full blast and waiting it out until spring.
As for me, I’m not feeling particularly philosophical these days; I have no idea why, other than just the upset and disturbance of politics, wars, and whatever is distracting. And it’s not just me. I feel most all of us are distracted in these times and not as open to the spiritual insight we may wish. We are trying to cope with everything going on and some perhaps have shut down a bit.
My current philosophy is not so cerebral, but more prayer-like. And prayer to me is not about reciting texts or saying a few words, although I know that is popular.
My idea of prayer (common among dharma folks) is more the bringing to mind my root dharma teacher (or any teacher we have confidence in) and then holding that thought in mind while connecting to the third eye (forehead, pineal) with the white syllable ‘OM’, and then next at the throat chakra with the red syllable “AH’, and finally at the heart chakra (middle of the chest) with the dark blue syllable ‘Hung’. With intent, hold each syllable in mind for a moment. I include here the images of those three Sanskrit syllables, OM, AH, and Hung.
Of course, I don’t expect you to use “OM AH HUNG” unless you are familiar with it. You could use ‘God’, ‘Jesus’, ‘Buddha’, or whatever. Bring to mind what best works for you. Prayer is the intent and not just the words or syllables. I sincerely bring to mind my dharma teacher and confidently say the syllables “OM, AH, HUNG” as a form of prayer in these times.
[Graphic by me.]
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“As Bodhicitta is so precious,
May those without it now create it,
May those who have it not destroy it,
And may it ever grow and flourish.”