Mabon is the modern name for the ancient Celtic festival celebrating the autumn,
Equinox.
It is the mid-harvest festival,
A time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest this year so far.
Mabon provides the ancient roots of modern Thanksgiving celebrations.
The Equinox is a moment when the day and night are equal.
From here,
We move into the darker half of the year,
Welcoming the fall and the winter.
This is a time to focus on balance,
Equality,
And gratitude.
If you haven't already,
Take a moment to get comfortable.
I recommend taking this meditation seated,
But however is comfortable for you is fine.
We'll begin by balancing our own energy,
By bringing together the dark and the light in our own bodies through an alternate nostril breathing practice.
Take a few deep breaths as you settle into your seat.
Acknowledge the earth beneath you and the land that you're on,
As well as your relationship with this land.
Notice how you are feeling in general,
If you are jittery,
Anxious,
Calm,
Sad,
Anything else.
You can be many things at once.
Take a moment just to be with whatever it is.
Now place your two first fingers into the palm of your right hand.
Place your thumb over the dip in your right nostril,
And your ring finger just resting over the dip in your left.
Then exhale.
As you inhale,
Gently press your right nostril,
Closing the airway,
And breathe deeply in through your left nostril.
At the top of the breath,
Press your ring finger into your left nostril,
Opening the right,
And exhale through the right nostril.
Inhale through the right,
Same side,
And at the top of the breath,
Switch to exhale out your left nostril.
Same side,
Inhale through the left,
And then switch to the right at the top of the breath.
Continue on this way at your own pace,
Switching nostrils at the top of each breath.
The two sides will likely feel a little different,
And that's okay.
If it's comfortable for you,
Try to even out the breath,
Taking about four counts,
Maybe longer,
For each inhale and exhale.
You're also welcome to simply follow your natural breath,
Allowing your body to come to balance at its own pace.
Let's take some time here.
Inhaling along one side,
Brief pause at the top to switch,
Exhaling out the other side.
Inhaling through that same nostril,
Pausing briefly at the top to switch,
Exhaling out the opposite side.
When you're ready,
You'll exhale out of your left nostril,
And then release your hand to your lap.
Take a few natural breaths through both nostrils.
If you'd like,
You could sigh.
You're welcome to do that.
Just notice how you feel now.
Has your mood or energy changed in any way from that few moments working with alternate nostril breathing?
Now from this more balanced place,
Let's take a moment to focus on gratitude.
What are you grateful for in your life?
Consider the gifts of this harvest season,
Thinking back to the summertime.
What experiences,
People,
Places,
Or lessons are you grateful for this year?
And now let's return to the present moment right now.
What are you grateful for in this specific moment?
The earth beneath your body,
The fact that you can breathe,
Having a moment to sit and meditate on balance.
What gratitudes are present for you in this particular moment?
Again,
Notice how you feel,
Spending a few moments with gratitude,
Noticing if your mood or your energy has shifted at all from when we began our practice together.
When you feel ready,
Place your hands together in a prayer shape at your heart,
Or however else feels best for you.
Gently bow your head again in thanks,
Offering gratitude in whatever way feels best for you.
And thank you for sharing your practice with me today.
