Mindfulness with the Moon

By practicing with the moon, we can give continuity to our practice.  We can also become more aware of our interrelatedness with nature and seasonal rhythms.  By bringing rhythm and intention to our practice, we become more consistent and rooted in our practice.

The waxing moon is like an in-breath.  While the moon is growing, we can explore new ideas, nurture our creativity, and plant intentions to grow like seeds under the energy of the increasing moon.  

For centuries, the full moon has been a metaphor for the awakened mind – the inherent nobility that dwells within each of us.  With the full moon, we can practice feeling this inner-nobility.  We can return home to the vast spaciousness of our own true nature.

The waning moon is like the out-breath.  It is a time for letting go.  It is a time for noticing difficult emotions and negative mental formations and shining our light of awareness on them so that they diminish with the vanishing moon.  It’s also a time for slowing down, for noticing when we’re caught in the habit-energy of rushing, and preparing to rest with the dark moon.

The dark or new moon is the pause between the in-breath and the out-breath.  It is the quiet space where we can rest before continuing on to the next phase of our own journey.

Here are some verses for you to enjoy with the children in your care. 

Verse for the waning crescent moon:

“Sister Moon, your horns point west, breathe in, breathe out then take your rest.”

Verses for the new moon.  January 30, 2014:

Breathing in, my belly grows

Breathing out, my breathing slows

In between I feel the space

Here there is a quiet place