Do you ever start your day with a meditation?

Today is your day!

Before you even get up (you are allowed to go to the toilet, of course), put on your headphones and try this Yoga Nidra meditation on our first day of winter, the 22nd of our Yoga Advent Calendar.

Unwind and immerse yourself in the soothing embrace of yoga nidra, a guided meditation practice that promotes deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

This session weaves together the power of healing golden light with the transformative energy of the Gayatri mantra, creating a unique and enriching experience. The mantra is a prayer to the universal force of illumination and is believed to inspire wisdom, clarity, and spiritual awakening.

Stay settled in bed or into a comfortable position, and let me guide you through a series of relaxation techniques, body scans, and rapid visualizations.

The golden light, symbolising healing and positivity, will envelop your being, washing away stress and tension. The Gayatri mantra, a sacred chant revered in Hinduism, will act as a powerful affirmation, uplifting your spirit and fostering a sense of connection to the divine.

The Text of the Gayatri Mantra

The mantra in Sanskrit reads:

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥

Translation

Here’s a simple and meaningful translation of the Gayatri Mantra:

• Om: The primordial sound representing the universal consciousness.
• Bhur: The earthly plane, symbolizing physical existence.
• Bhuvah: The mental plane, representing the realm of thoughts and emotions.
• Swah: The spiritual plane, symbolizing the higher self or the divine.

Tat Savitur Varenyam:
We meditate on the most revered and radiant source of energy (the Sun or the Divine Creator).

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi:
May we absorb the divine brilliance and transformative power of the Supreme Being.

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat:
May this divine light illuminate our intellect and guide us on the right path.

Meaning and Significance

1. Universal Prayer: The Gayatri Mantra transcends religion and geography, symbolizing a prayer for wisdom and spiritual awakening for all.
2. Invocation of Light: The mantra calls upon the divine light of the Sun (Savitur), symbolizing enlightenment, energy, and truth.
3. Spiritual Transformation: It focuses on cultivating wisdom and clarity in thought, action, and understanding.
4. Symbol of the Divine Feminine: The mantra is often associated with Goddess Gayatri, a personification of the mantra and a representation of wisdom and purity.

Chanting and Practice

1. Best Time: The Gayatri Mantra is traditionally chanted during the Brahma Muhurta (early morning before sunrise) or at dawn, noon, and dusk.
2. Repetition: Chanting the mantra 108 times is common, as 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism.
3. Posture: Lay down in savasana or sit comfortably with a straight spine, and focus on your breath to align your mind and body.