The winter solstice is one of the most amazing cycles. It”s a time when the earth pulls in and gathers her power, and the quiet available in the darkness can be used as a resource. When it’s cold outside, people tend to hold their energy in their bodies, which means it’s a little less crowded out in the world. And of course it’s the time when we celebrate the birth of an Enlightened being, plus we get the resetting of the calendar and the sense of renewal and opportunity that the New Year brings.
This steady ramping of energy is subtle but powerful. The days of the year seem to stream past and so quickly we find ourselves at year-end again, almost without noticing. One of the benefits of noting the equinoxes and solstices is it helps us to track the time, and these cycles can also be used for intentional progress on the path. As a time of power such as the winter solstice and turn-of-year approaches, you can make the most of it by increasing your efforts in your spiritual practice. If you are an irregular meditator, you can leverage the upcurrent by making meditation a part of every day. Even just 10or 15 minutes can make a difference, and if you do it every day it’s easier to continue doing it every day. If you’re already consistent in sitting to meditate then you can extend your sessions — you don’t have to overachieve this, adding just five more minutes can make a big difference.
The best way to make meditation a standard part of your life is by finding a group of like-minded seekers who are doing the same thing, and getting involved. If you”re attending a weekly meditation then you’re more likely to continue it on your own on the days in between.
Big change is possible this time of year. See what your life can become by adding – or expanding – some meditation to it!