The spring equinox is quickly moving towards us. Thursday March 20th is the day that the Sun will be directly over the equator making the day and night in equal length, a balanced state of darkness and light. In the northern hemisphere we are moving out of the longer dark nights of winter and into the expanded daylight of spring. This is a great time to examine not only the physical nature of more light, but also the energetic, mental and spiritual aspects of balancing dark and light.
In the physical body the autonomic nervous system represents qualities of day and night within the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system is our active state, opposed to the parasympathetic nervous system which is the rest and digest mode. Often times when we spend too much time in an active state with work, family, social interactions, the body spends much less time in a restful state where it can rejuvenate. Even when we go to “sleep” at night the mind can still be actively processing the day’s activities and interactions, thus keeping us from reaching a restorative state of sleep. When the cycle of too much activity of body and mind continues, it can lead to higher stress levels. Over prolonged periods of time at these higher levels of an overactive sympathetic state, mental stress and dis-ease can begin to manifest into physical disease. It is therefore imperative to have fluid and equal movement between these two states of the nervous system to have more optimum levels of health and well being, both physically and mentally.
In yogic philosophy these qualities of nature (gunas) are known as tamas/darkness, rajas/activity, and sattwa/balance. Just as night has the quality of stillness, sleep, and absence of light; daytime has the opposite aspect of activity, creativity, and brightness. Too much darkness (tamas) where the light is blocked can create stagnancy, fear, uncertainty. There is need for activity (rajas) in order to move into higher states of balance and harmony (sattwa). Winter is a time of hibernation for the animals and plants. As the sun starts to warm the air and earth, it offers energy and nourishment for new growth to spring forward. Nature exemplifies the innate balance of dark and light through the season of rest that winter brings followed by the active rejuvenation and growth of spring.
Throughout history as well as in our own lives, there have been times of light, times of darkness and waves of renewal. And important to remember, as the Chinese yin-yang symbol suggests, during times of light there can be darkness as well as moments of lightness in the dark. Opposing states can and do exist at the same time!
So during dark, stressful or challenging times how can we create more balance? First, it is important to acknowledge the difficulties. We are living in very challenging times filled with uncertainty and change, often at lightening speed. The news is filled with suffering on many levels. It can feel so very dark! When we acknowledge the challenges we have before us, we can choose to be the bringer of light into the world. The ultimate control we DO have is how we show up moment to moment. We can bring balance to the darkness by bringing our own light into the world. Here are some simple ways of moving towards more balance:
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Create space for being vs. doing- Take five minutes to sit quietly, close your eyes and focus on your breath. If the mind wanders, that’s okay. Notice the thoughts then redirect the awareness to the breath.
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Create boundaries- Check that you are not over engaging in activities that drain the body or the mind… especially limit news and social media.
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Move your body! Movement is life and can rid the body and mind of stagnant energy. It can be as simple as a 10 minute walk. Park father away from the store you are going to for those extra steps. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Turn on some fun music and dance around your living room.
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Be a helper- As Mr. Rogers says, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ There is an energetic principle that what we put out into the world we receive. If we put out light into the would we receive that back.
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Smile
a lot and often- Even if it is only to yourself. Smiling can improve your mood by triggering the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that boost feelings of happiness and reduce stress. Also be aware of the response of others when you smile at them. More often than not, people respond positively to a happy interactions. Smiling can be contagious! -
Connect with nature- Be inspired by the miracles and resilience of the natural world. Flowers blooming, birds singing, the warmth of sunshine after a cold winter are all signs of a new season ahead.
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Find positive connections- Whether it’s the funny co-worker, an inspiring art class, a community of like-minded activist, a book club or a comedy show, find the connections that invite in positivity, compassion, support, clarity, hope and anything else luminous that helps us reconnect to that light within!
As Rumi says, “If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light”. Wishing you an equinox filled with balance and light!
Alden Caldwell, LMT, CYT, E-RYT 500