• Table of Contents
  • Spiritual Roots of Arts, Culture and Ethics by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Direct Experience by Swami Rama
  • Dr. Mohan Swami´s Address to the Sangha
  • 2016 Sangha Slideshow
  • Coming Home by Randall Krause (Mokshadeva)
  • Love by Miklós Zoltai
  • News from Debrecen, Hungary by Miklós Zoltai
  • Full Moon Meditation with Refugees by Marloes Vervaet
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…
  • Mauni Amavasya, Day of Silence by Joanne Sullivan (Divya))
  • The Search for Eternal Truth by Amy Cui
  • Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat by Yuko Metsugi
  • 2016 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…

Sometimes students have written to or asked Swami Veda Bharati, Swami Ritavan Bharati, and other senior teachers in our tradition questions about practice.  This is one such “Question and Answer,” or Q&A.

Question:

Why full moon meditation is given so much importance??? If possible can you explain to me please.
Then how does one manage the terrible mood swings during the full moon ... why do most of us go little off balance during the full moon ... i have been noticing the effects on me ...  And i am most angered during the eve of the full moon ... i sit n Meditate every full moon sangha ... but it’s not helping me. .. and i conveniently blame the full moon.

Answer:

Two have answered this question: Michael Smith and Carolyn Hume.

From Michael Smith:

I thought it was pretty clearly explained on the AHYMSIN Website (please see http://ahymsin.org/main/practice/full-moon-meditation.html), but would share this:

"Yoga Philosophy views the mind as Universal field; its waves passing through us and becoming our individual minds. This Universal mind is a radiant force and is also known as a Universal Guru within."

"When all sit together at the same time even in different parts of the world, they connect to the Universal Guru mind and generate a strong field, like so many magnets being joined together and forming a much stronger magnet; the strength of each then equals the combined strength of all."

-  Swami Veda Bharati

From Carolyn Hume:

Swami Veda Bharati established the practice of Full Moon Meditation in our tradition. 

In addition to what Michael has written, here are some thoughts below.

One needs to remember the basics at all times whether it is the full moon or not. And sadhakas are encouraged to sit for meditation daily, not just on full moon days.

Here is a link to "Beginning Meditation" by Swami Veda Bharati at http://ahymsin.org/main/Swami-Veda-Bharati/beginning-meditation.html. It is a good review even for those who have an established meditation practice. "If the mind wanders off, because of its usual habit that has been given to it over many lifetimes, straighten your spine again; relax quickly again; re-establish diaphragmatic breathing; continue with the awareness of the flow and touch of the breath in the nostrils."

The two minute meditation can be helpful; please see http://ahymsin.org/main/practice/2-minute-meditation.html.

Diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, and other techniques can be helpful when dealing with emotions. Purification of thoughts and emotions is a component in the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation.

You might enjoy reading "The Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation" by Swami Veda Bharati at http://ahymsin.org/main/himalayan-tradition/what-is-the-himalayan-tradition-for-yoga-meditation.html and also "Chitta Prasaadanam" at http://www.ahymsin.org/docs2/News/1212Dec/01.html. 

Editor’s Note:

For more information about Full Moon Meditation: http://ahymsin.org/main/practice/full-moon-meditation.html

If you have a question about spiritual practice, you can use this link to ask it:  http://ahymsin.org/main/adhyatma-samiti-spiritual-committee.html