HONORING THE SUN DAILY AND SPIRITUALLY
In Hindu spirituality, the sun is so important that we honor the sun every day, essentially because it is a powerful and visible symbol of Divine presence and Divine love. It shines on all without discrimination.
While it is wonderful that our physical sun called the attention of so many during the eclipse, the hope is that it inspires a deeper ongoing connection with mantras and enlightenment and that is the purpose of this blog post.
Our sun is not just a physical entity. In the ancient world, there was an accompanying spiritual and psychic (energy) dimension to all presences. Since the sun dominates our solar system, it represents the highest reality.
In our heart therefore, we need to recognize that our connection is really to that which the sun represents and embodies for us in our universe, our cosmos. The sun is our “giver of life”. We keep this in mind each day we behold this holy mystery.
Join me live this month to practice
Power of Mantra at Kripalu Yoga Center
Sep 29 – Oct 1: Lennox, Massachusetts
A DAILY MANTRA PRACTICE INSPIRED BY THE SOLAR ECLIPSE
Charge your personal spiritual field with the sun’s energy daily.
With all of the hype around the solar eclipse on 21 Aug 2017, many asked what is the “best” mantra to chant. I recommended the appropriate, “om sūryāya namaḥ, pronounced “sooryaaya”, a mantra that recognizes the sun as a symbol of the Divine Presence, always shining.
Sūrya is a name for the sun and literally means the sun. In this mantra, we are saying that we bow to the light of the sun. However, the “light” we are bowing to is the Divine Presence. From this perspective, an eclipse is like the illusion of self that partially obscures it but cannot ultimately deny the Light which is also Ultimate Truth (like the Elvis quote).
In the audio below, you can listen to my mantra practice on the day and at the time of the recent Solar Eclipse. I begin by speaking about the mood change in nature that I felt at the time and then reflect on the practice before actually chanting the mantra recommended as well the holy Gayatri, both of which should be chanted on a regular basis, as I share in the continuation of the blog post below.
- Chant the mantra om sūryāya namaḥ as the sun rises in the morning.
- Chant the only Gayatri mantra both at sunrise and sunset devoutly.
- Chant the Gayatri and followed by 108 recitations of om sūryāya namaḥ
Before chanting, rinse your mouth with water aware that you are about to use this part of your body for sacred speech and mantras. Ideally, bathe (take a shower) and wear clean clothes. Make sure the place you are going to chant in is clean and free of untidiness. Face East, the direction favored by tradition for such a practice.
Photo license: 123rf.com
Namasté RussilL for sharing your thoughts and knowledge of the Sun and is deeper meaning for us and the mantra. It touches me deeply. In gratitude
You are welcome Geesje! Om
NAMASTE Russill..Grateful for your teachings, and your voice, inspiring and enlightening.
With gratitude always!
Sheryl
You are welcome Sheryl! Om
Although I didn’t listen to this until after the eclipse – it was exactly what I needed today in this very moment and I am deeply grateful. Thank you!
Namaste
Gauri
Awesome!