Makara Sankranti

In the yoga tradition that I follow we celebrate the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere with a holiday called Makara Sankranti. It is a celebration of the return of the light since the days will start to get longer. On average we will get 2 more minutes of daylight in January each day. 

Usually at this time of the year we listen to and/or meditate on the Surya Gayatri mantra or the Gayatri mantra for the Sun. Gayatri mantras are short hymns to a specific aspect of Consciousness, in this case Savitr or the Sun at Dawn. I like to chant this mantra at this time of the year.

I have been observing this holiday for many decades now. Each year some new layer of its meaning stands out. This time I am reminded of the cyclical nature of things. Some things arise and then subside and something else arises again in its place. Even if it seems to be the same sun that comes and goes, it is different every year. The cycles that we experience carry both repetition and newness at the same time. 

I hope to see you this week as we explore the nature of cycles in yoga class.

Blessings

Jorge Nihāl