Recall a morning when you watched the sun rise over the horizon. How did you feel on seeing the glimmer of the first rays gradually spread in all directions, filling the world with an ocean of light? A golden sea-wash gilds everything in front of you: clouds, trees, rooftops. Knowing that this splendid display of luminosity takes place every day throughout our planet, we can appreciate why the authors of the Rig Veda, the earliest scriptural composition of India, praise and honor the sun.
Read more
On our planet’s annual journey circling the sun, there are two specific moments that particularly inspire reflection and celebration—the solstices of June and December. Given the way Earth tilts, there is an exact moment in December when the South Pole comes closest to the sun, signaling the advent of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, when the North Pole comes closest to the sun in June, the advent of summer and winter is experienced in the opposite way in each hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice takes place on December 21. Up to then, the days have been getting shorter and shorter as night encroaches on daylight. In the moment of the solstice’s perfect alignment of planet and sun, a reversal takes place. The days begin to lengthen again—indeed, a cause for celebration.
The word solstice from its Latin origin gives us insight into how this moment has been perceived through the ages. In the Latin, sol means “sun” and the root stit means “standing,” suggesting that in these moments the sun seems to be standing still.
It’s as if Earth were breathing in consonance with its sun, and this pause of the solstice is not unlike the sacred pause between the in-breath and the out-breath—that moment when our mind settles in meditation and we find entranceway into the experience of the light of the supreme Self.
I invite you to reflect on these verses from the Rig Veda as a way to honor the glorious radiance in the sky that is Earth’s sun—and also to honor the radiance that is your own Self, an inner “sun” that is revealed in the meditative pauses of your breathing. Both embody the great sustaining Light that ever nurtures and inspires.
One phrase touched me deeply in this beautiful verse of the Rig Veda: “…let each day be better than the last.” This phrase, like a silent prayer, has become a wonderful support in my life.
Each day contains beautiful moments. If I can focus on these precious times, I will be better able to recognize moments like them when they occur in the days to come.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
I read the verses from the Rig Veda and the accompanying introduction and then, for a moment, I became the Universe.
Mayfield, Australia
I like to think of our planet as pausing at the solstices! This perspective gives me a feeling of connection to nature, of oneness with all. It gives each of my own inhalations and exhalations even more meaning, more power to focus my mind on the Self. What a wonderful path we walk that brings us inspiring insights!
Oregon, United States
Today I woke at 4 a.m., a bit early for my beach walk, so I lit a small fire in the fire pit on my back deck. I watched the flames rise up through the indigo night air, fragrant with night-flowering jasmine. I could see the darker silhouettes of the palms against the night sky. One star shone through patches of misty cloud. I remembered that the fire of the sun is trapped in the log until I burn it and enjoy its warm glow. I thought about how all the plants and my own existence in this body depend on the sun, and gratitude arose for Lord Surya.
I arrived at the beach just as the sun rose—orange, then golden, then white—while I walked and sat and listened to a chant refrain that repeated itself in my mind. I feel more and more that I live in the eternal, beautiful, cosmic ashram; the teachings go deeper, the insights are more frequent.
Ocean Shores, Australia
As I read the verses from the Rig Veda, I was reminded in a gentle way that my habitual understanding of the sun as a star, a mass of fire, cosmic rays, and sheer unbelievable power is not complete. I understood that the sun is also a living being, and I can connect more deeply to it by relating to it in that way.
Maryland, United States
Radiant verses—the sun echoes inside my heart. My soul awakens, dancing in such harmony!
Ostuni, Italy
As I contemplated the words from the Rig Veda, I was drawn to go out into my garden to see the early morning rays of the sun.
Gazing at the bright rays dancing through the branches of a tree, I felt renewed respect and awe for the sun. With a heart filled with gratitude, I offered pranam, feeling the warm rays enveloping me, hugging me with love, peace, and blessings. I felt I was born again.
Nairobi, Kenya
These verses reflect the feeling I had this morning when I opened the shutters on my windows at home. As I was contemplating the bright horizontal stripes on the horizon with their soft orange and yellow patterns, I was happy to be meeting a great friend. Above, the sky was cloudy, and I knew that the instant was fleeting. I understood that Lord Surya was saying to me with a smile, “I am always with you even when you don’t see me!”
Rodez, France
The words recognizing our innocence are so rich with compassion. This phrase from the Rig Veda reminds me of how thankful I am for the compassion of the great Masters who have walked this path all the way to the goal, and then reached back to guide us with such gentle and nurturing hands.
The longer I traverse the Siddha Yoga path, the deeper are the depths of the teachings revealed, and the more captivating this incredible journey becomes. Every revelation feels like another new beginning, as if grace has generously offered yet another opportunity to actually understand the highest purpose of life. This is both humbling and exhilarating, and I love it all.
