On March 20, the sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator, creating a day of equal daylight and darkness on our planet. For the Northern hemisphere, this day is the Vernal Equinox and marks the first day of Spring. The next 6 months are symbolic of the victory of light over darkness, as days will be longer than nights. The lethargy of winter dissolves and the promise of new beginnings manifests as the leaves return to the trees, flowers come into bloom, and fresh green grass returns to the fields. What a beautiful time to celebrate life!
I would like to share a meditation with you that I practice regularly to remind myself of the simple, yet profound joy of being alive. Either from a comfortable seated or prone position, place your right hand over your navel/belly center and your left hand over your heart/sternum. These locations are home to two powerful energy centers in the body. The masculine navel center houses personal power and sense of self, while the feminine heart center houses love, compassion, and the ability to relate to others. In this calming posture, do not attempt to do anything special. Merely close your eyes and become aware of the experience of being alive. Notice your heart beating, your breath rising and falling. Think of this as time to recharge your human battery.
In order to keep a healthy perspective on what really matters in life, it is imperative that we take time often to consciously plug in and appreciate our natural, unadulterated existence. Otherwise, we tend to get caught up in day-to-day frustrations and wind up expending a great deal of energy on trivial incidents, while forgetting how fortunate we are to be here at all. Think what a miracle your life is: How many events had to happen in just the right way in order for you to come into being? What a staggering concept! If just one small thing had changed along the way, you may not be here today. So let us rejoice in the serendipity of life and dance through this month with a spirit of celebration.
“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Playlist: 1 hour Reggae Celebration Flow
Treasures - Thievery Corporation
Sun is Shining (Sand in my Shoe remix) - Bob Marley
Mantra Mix - Sacred Sound System
World a Reggae - Ini Kamoze
Beach in Hawaii - Ziggy Marley
Concrete Jungle - Bob Marley & the Wailers
We're Gonna Make It - Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Soul Rebel (Bonus Track) - Lee "Scratch" Perry
Warrior - Matisyahu
There for You - Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Gold to Me - Ben Harper
Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
One Road to Freedom - Ben Harper