As we deepen into a new season, I invite you to take a moment to pause and breathe. Just as the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom and the birds are singing their sweet songs, we too can sense the changes beginning to bloom within us. If we take the time to tune in to nature, we can sense how our bodies are transitioning along with the rhythms and cycles of nature.
We are coming up on eclipse season, with the solar eclipse on April 19th/ 20th and lunar eclipse on May 5th/ 6th. Eclipses are powerful cosmic events that have a profound effect on our lives and the world around us. Eclipses are considered a time of transformation and change. They can bring sudden shifts in our personal and collective consciousness and offer us an opportunity for growth and evolution. It is common to experience feelings of confusion, disorientation, sadness, depression, or anxiety during an eclipse. This is because the eclipse energy can bring up old wounds and unresolved emotions for healing.
As we approach the upcoming Eclipse Season, it’s essential to take time to connect with ourselves, to slow down, turn inward, and connect with our inner wisdom. One practice that can help us do this is meditation. Set aside a few minutes each day to sit in stillness and focus on your breath. As you breathe, imagine a bright light filling your body, emanating from your heart and spreading throughout your being. Visualize this light as your inner luminosity, your source of strength, and guidance during this time of change. Embrace the power of this practice and trust that you have the wisdom within to navigate the energies of the Eclipse Season. Try this practice and see for yourself how it can help you unlock the secrets of Eclipse Season and discover the hidden wisdom within.
Here’s a 61 point Yoga Nidra practice to enhance your connection with your inner wisdom and promote spiritual growth. Feel free to use for yourself or your students. May you be happy, may you be free from suffering, may you be peaceful and at ease.
With Love,
Jeanette
61 Point Yoga Nidra Practice For Discovering Your Inner Luminosity
“Abide in the innermost Self as pure consciousness, free from all thought constructs. Be still, and know that you are that.”
Begin by lying down in savasana and taking a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to fully arrive in the present moment. Bring your awareness to your breath, noticing the natural flow of your inhales and exhales without trying to change anything.
Bring your awareness to your right-hand thumb, your first finger, your second finger, your third finger, your fourth finger, your palm, the back of your hand, your wrist, your forearm, your elbow, your upper arm, your shoulder, and your armpit.
Now bring your awareness to your left hand thumb, your first finger, your second finger, your third finger, your fourth finger, your palm, the back of your hand, your wrist, your forearm, your elbow, your upper arm, your shoulder, and your armpit.
Bring your awareness to your right foot big toe, your second toe, your third toe, your fourth toe, your fifth toe, your sole, your heel, your ankle, your lower leg, your knee, your upper leg, and your hip.
Now bring your awareness to your left foot big toe, your second toe, your third toe, your fourth toe, your fifth toe, your sole, your heel, your ankle, your lower leg, your knee, your upper leg, and your hip.
Bring your awareness to your tailbone, your sacrum, your lower back, your middle back, your upper back, your shoulder blades, the back of your neck, the back of your head, and the crown of your head.
Now bring your awareness to your forehead, your right temple, your left temple, your right ear, your left ear, your right eyebrow, your left eyebrow, the space between your eyebrows, your right eye, your left eye, your nose, your cheeks, your upper lip, your lower lip, your jaw, and your tongue.
Bring your awareness to your throat, your right collarbone, your left collarbone, your right chest, your left chest, your upper abdomen, your navel, your lower abdomen, your right hip, your left hip, and your pelvic floor.
Now bring your awareness to your whole body, feeling it as a complete, integrated whole.
Now bring your awareness to your right hand, imagining a golden light shining from within, filling your hand with a radiant, glowing energy.
Move your awareness to your left hand, visualizing the same golden light filling your hand and radiating outward.
Bring your awareness to your right foot, imagining the golden light filling your foot and spreading up your leg.
Move your awareness to your left foot, visualizing the golden light filling your foot and spreading up your leg.
Bring your awareness to your tailbone, imagining the golden light filling your pelvis and radiating outward.
Move your awareness up to your belly, imagining the golden light filling your entire abdomen and radiating outward.
Bring your awareness to your heart, imagining the golden light filling your chest and radiating outward.
Move your awareness up to your throat, imagining the golden light filling your neck and radiating outward.
Bring your awareness to your forehead, imagining the golden light filling your head and radiating outward.
Next, bring your awareness to your heart center, located in the middle of your chest. Imagine a bright, radiant light emanating from this space, filling your entire body with warmth and love. Allow this light to expand beyond your physical body, surrounding you in a cocoon of loving energy.
Now, imagine yourself standing at the entrance of a dark cave. Visualize yourself walking inside the cave, taking deep breaths as you go deeper and deeper inside.
As you walk, you notice that there are five openings in the walls of the cave, each representing one of the senses.
Walk toward the first opening which represents the sense of sight. As you peer through the opening, you see a vast, open space filled with radiant light. The light is so bright and dazzling that it takes your breath away. You feel yourself drawn towards it, and you step through the opening and into the light.
You find yourself in a beautiful meadow, surrounded by lush greenery and fragrant flowers. The sun is shining down on you, warming your skin and filling you with a sense of joy and contentment. You take a moment to soak in the beauty of the scene before you, allowing the colors and textures to wash over you. You notice how the light is reflecting off the petals of the flowers, creating a shimmering, iridescent effect.
As you continue to gaze around the meadow, you become aware of a subtle vibration within you, emanating from your innermost being. This vibration grows stronger and more radiant with each passing moment, until it feels as though you are being filled with a warm, glowing light. You recognize this as your own inner luminosity, shining forth in its purest form. You bask in this light, feeling the love and peace that radiates from it.
Take a few moments to fully immerse yourself in this experience, feeling the light filling you up and radiating outwards. When you feel ready, move on to the next stage of the practice.
As you approach the second opening in the cave, you notice that it represents sound. As you step through, notice any sounds around you. Allow yourself to simply listen without judgement or attachment, and experience the peace and stillness that comes with pure awareness. Stand here for a moment, listening to the echoes bouncing off the walls of the cave. You hear the sound of your breath, the beating of your heart, and the faint sound of water dripping in the distance. Take a moment to fully immerse yourself in the sound of the cave, letting it wash over you like a wave. As you listen, you begin to notice other sounds too, both near and far. You hear the sound of birds singing outside, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the distant sound of a river flowing. All of these sounds create a symphony of nature, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to fully absorb the sound around you.
Now walk towards the opening representing the sense of smell and take a deep inhale. Notice the various scents that surround you. Allow your sense of smell to guide you deeper into relaxation and inner awareness. Take another deep breath, allowing the fragrance to fill your lungs and awaken your senses. Notice how your body responds to the aroma and how it makes you feel. Allow any emotions that arise to simply be, without judgment or resistance. Take a moment to savor the experience and then slowly move on to the next opening, representing the sense of taste.
You notice a small table with various foods placed in front of you. Take a moment to observe the colors, textures, and smells of the food. Notice any sensations that arise in your mouth or stomach. Without judgment, choose one item to taste and take a small bite, savoring the flavors and textures. As you continue to chew and swallow, allow yourself to fully experience the taste and sensations.
As you continue to walk, you approach the final opening in the wall of the cave, representing touch. As you step through, notice the feeling of the ground beneath your feet and the sensation of the air on your skin. Bring awareness to any areas of tension or discomfort in your body, and imagine a warm, healing light flowing to those areas, releasing any tension or discomfort.
Now, bring your attention back to your breath, taking a few deep inhales and exhales. As you rest in this state of deep relaxation and heightened awareness, allow yourself to bask in the inner luminosity that you have discovered within yourself. Remember that this light is always available to you, even in the midst of darkness or challenge.
As you rest in this state of inner luminosity, repeat the following sutra from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra to yourself:
“Radiant one, this experience may dawn between two breaths. After breath comes in (down) and just before turning up (out)—the beneficence.”
Stay in this state of deep relaxation and inner radiance for as long as you’d like. When you’re ready to end your practice, slowly bring your awareness back to your breath and the sensation of your body. Take a few deep breaths and wiggle your fingers and toes. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes and come back to the present moment, carrying with you the inner luminosity you discovered during your practice.
Om
