The Inner and Outer Suns

Dear Friends,

'Tis the season to be jolly, and take comfort in the warmth of the holiday lights. I hope you all are feeling blessed this month and are aligning with the spirit of this magical time of year. And if that is impossible right now, due to a crisis or stress, I hope that Peace finds you quickly.

I am currently in a sadhana with my teacher Akasha and a small group, chanting daily 108 repetitions of the Gayatri Mantra, one of the oldest prayers known to humanity:

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्

Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svaha

Tat-Savitur-Varennyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat

(link to music)

There are many worthy translations to this beautiful, ancient prayer, and I think this one by Ralph Blum hints well at the Gayatri's essence:

You who are the Source of all Power

Whose Rays illuminate the world,

Illuminate also my Heart

So it can do your work

Many months ago, I was sitting in meditation and was meditating on the quality of God that is Light, and how the Sun is truly an apt metaphor for the radiant, life-giving power of the soul. Feeling the warmth of sunlight on my face, I invited the inner-Sun of my heart to connect with the outer-Sun that was bathing me in its light. It was sacred, feeling connected to something so vast and powerful in the cosmos, from within the space where Love meets my consciousness.

I don't know about you, but I am mostly selfish and self-centered in my thinking and feeling: my job, my relationships, my finances, my goals, my fears, my resentments.... and so it is well to remember that the Sun shines on everyone. Whatever clouds may be obstructing the Sun of my inner heart from shining forth into the world, the Sun in the heavens is shining down on someone, somewhere from nearly 93 million miles away.

Praying for the Enlightenment of all living beings is an ancient practice. It has survived the ages, and manifested in its various forms across all great religions, because that depth of prayer is perhaps the best vehicle that humanity has to bring forth Light into the world, to become like the Sun. This space of Being, where–– in dedication to the Enlightenment of all beings–– the essence of the inner Sun that is unconditional Love merges with the essence of the outer Sun that is unconditional Light, is what chanting the Gayatri Mantra means to me.

This December, I invite you to join me in chanting the Gayatri Mantra, or another daily practice of prayer, centered in the intention of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men" in the spirit of Christmas. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

With much Love and Prayer for Mankind,

Jacob