Mindful Stargazing: The Feeling Of Moonlight

This practice is best done on a moonlit night, ideally when the moon is past 1/2 phase. What’s your relationship with the moon? Does it feel remote, maybe like a distant acquaintance, or does it feel familiar? This is a practice of connecting with the moon – a practice of "gekkou-yoku" (a Japanese phrase meaning moonlight bathing). It's not about conjuring up feelings, but simply standing in its light and noticing how that feels. Like this, you'll get to know the moon on an experiential level.

Transcript

Stand facing the direction of the moon. If it's too cold to be outside, Then it's fine to stand indoors, Facing the moon through the window. Make sure you're standing comfortably. Let your arms hang naturally down at your sides. You may want to angle your palms, If you like, To face forwards towards the moon. Begin to raise your gaze and look up at the moon. See how bright it is in the sky. If it's high up, You might notice it's casting shadows. Do you have a moon shadow? In Japanese, They have a phrase for what we're doing, Geko-yoku, Meaning moonlight bathing. How does it feel to be bathed in moonlight? It might feel strange to ask, What does it feel like? After all, What does light actually feel like? How does it feel on your skin? How does it feel compared to standing in the daytime sunlight? Does the moonlight feel harsh or gentle, Strong or soft? Does it feel warm or cool? Does it feel quiet or loud? How does the landscape look as it's illuminated by the moonlight? Does it seem busy and full of activity, Or quiet and serene? Do you have to keep looking at the moon to feel the same way? How might it feel to be bathed in moonlight with your eyes closed? Spend some time enjoying moonlight bathing, Being immersed in the silvery glow of the moon, Right here. What's your relationship with the moon? Have you ever considered that? Does the moon feel distant, Remote, Far away? Or maybe it feels like a distant acquaintance? Or do you feel close and familiar with it? Have you ever spent time with the moon like this? By this point you might have had some minutes under the moon's spotlight. Has that changed your relationship, Do you think? Know that whenever the moon is up and shining, Even in the daytime, You can go and say hello. Step into its light, Look up and reconnect. Get to know its rhythms, Its patterns, Get to know its character, And soon the moon will be like an old friend.

Reviews

Amazing to learn about Moon Bathing. Thank you so much, Mark, and for your lives 🙏🏾🌝🎑🌌// Not yet, when the rains clear here and there is good visibility. Thank you for the encouragement, Mark.🙏🏾🍀⭐️💖