ĀYURVEDA • SLEEP • RITUAL

Oh the magic of a sunset.
We have all witnessed the radiant blast of glory just as the sun descends behind the horizon. 

The ancient Egyptians celebrated this daily phenomenon as an epic journey of the Solar God, Ra, as he sailed into the underworld, leaving the luminous and nourishing powers of the moon to govern the night sky. The underworld traverse was considered an auspicious event, necessary for confronting shadows and defeating monsters so that the sun could rise again the following day.

In the ancient Sumerian myths, the heavenly goddess Inanna descends into the underworld to confront her recently widowed, and completely heartbroken, sister. Although Inanna must face terrible hardship, the story expresses the value of compassion for transformation and ultimate freedom.

The underworld descent has been interpreted by Jungian psychologists as an archetypal symbol of the spiritual journey each of us must take into our heart's wisdom. Only by encountering the depths of our inner knowing may we become truly balanced and whole.

Sunset is therefore a sacred time to turn inward and center your awareness upon the wisdom flame of your heart. Within the traditions of Yoga and Āyurveda, the evening provides a time for lunar practice, or Rātricharyā. When you establish an evening ritual you set yourself up to enjoy deep benefits:

• Harmonize with the rhythms of Nature.
• Receive guidance from your deepest truth.
• Embrace the dark stillness with contemplative calm.
• Enjoy restful sleep.​

WATER • NATURE • RITUAL

We need water. 

As much as 78% of the human body is water. This same water cycles through absorption
and evaporation to the air around us, the clouds, and is rained down into the oceans. In
this way, our bodies are directly connected the entire world. 

The following meditation is a invocation of healing for your physical body and the body of Mother Earth. 

You may be seated or standing. 
Close your eyes and bring your full awareness to your breath. 

Inhale fully and exhale completely.

Allow the breath to create space in your body and your mind. 

Inhale and notice the dynamic expansion in your ribcage and lungs. 
Exhale and let your body release, soften, and settle.  

Inhale, expand and swell like a great wave of energy. 
Exhale and allow that wave to pulse back out to the Earth. 

Only if it feels natural, you may gently constrict your throat and channel your breath, to practice Ujaii pranayama, creating the soothing sound of the ocean with each inhalation and exhalation. 

Notice the rhythmic pulsation—the dance of the breath—as it crests and falls 
like a sacred tide. 

Release tension now, and surrender to the oscillation. Feel your whole body begin to respond to the natural flow and sway of the breath. 

Allow the waves of breath to wash over you. 

There is mobility at every joint, between your ribs, across your back body and throughout your internal organs.  

Like water, let your movement patterns follow the path of least resistance. 

Be absolutely uninhibited in your movements—Absolutely FREE and fluid. 


Imagine all the water in your body, allowing your the FREEDOM to move, to dance naturally and dynamically with the rhythms of Life’s sacred pulsation.

As you move, visualize the color green and picture the water molecules in every cell of your being.

Using your breath, silently offer a healing message of love to all the water in your
body.

Now, imagine yourself as water.

Visualize yourself flowing like a river into the ocean, 
the healing waters of your physical body mix, merge, and mingle with the Earth’s Ocean waves.

Using your breath, send a healing message of love to all of the water on the planet.

Bring your palms together at your heart to seal your intention. 

Namaste. ​