Celebrating the Dance
This Saturday March the 20th marks the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, a time when night and day stand in perfect balance. The cross quarter points of the year marked by the Solstices and Equinoxes are perfect times to pause and reflect on what balance means to you and to celebrate the flow of change within your own life. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth so it seems very fitting to celebrate any new beginnings or projects you have initiated for the year as well as honor any significant endings that have occurred. The end of one chapter always marks the beginning of another, even if the new beginning is not apparent right away. Indeed the balance point in between endings and beginnings can be a very potent time if we can handle the sometimes scary sensations that accompany not knowing what comes next.
One of the key teachings of yoga is a recognition of the fact that everything in the universe is in a state of constant motion, a perpetual movement of expansion and contraction that is known as Spanda in the Tantric traditions. This natural movement of expansion and contraction can be witnessed in the changing seasons and tidal rhythms, the waxing and waning of the moon, the journey from childhood to old age, the pulse of our breath, and the daily shift from sunrise to sunset. This endless pulsation between creation and dissolution is one of the few things we can count on; it is present in every aspect of our lives from the tangible to the subtle. But still we seem to fight it at times. Especially when it comes to those times in our lives when we are unsure of what the next moment will bring, those times when we feel we are in the dark, the time of mystery, or concealment. However when we cultivate faith in the natural rhythms and movements of life and nurture practices that strengthen that faith then we are able to stay open to whatever arises and are less apt to make quick decisions based out of fear and the need to be in control. When we open to the grace and wisdom that is inherent within the natural cycles of life we find that we are able to maintain the humility that comes with knowing we can never control our lives completely but at the same time gain the courage that comes from learning how to make skillful choices. Times of darkness and confusion are often followed by times of great illumination and insight, just as the new life of Spring follows the stillness of Winter.
Make time this weekend to stop and look back on the significant endings and new beginnings that have arisen in the last year as a way of honoring and recognizing the flow of change as it moves through your own life. If you are in a period of uncertainty make extra time to sit quietly in meditation with the intention to be open to whatever arises. Don't go looking for answers, just make time for stillness and allow yourself to listen fully. The days surrounding the Equinox are full of subtle power so this is the perfect time to ask for guidance if you are feeling unsure. This can also be a good time to do any personal rituals to help strengthen your commitment to change if you are struggling with releasing relationships, habits or beliefs that no longer serve your highest intentions.
Celebrate the changing season by taking the time to look forward and back without judgement and you will see that your life is indeed a magical dance of synchronicity and wonder, each perfect moment leading to the next. May you deepen in wisdom and skillfulness so that you can participate in this dance fully, saying Yes! to all that life brings you.