Capricorn - The Descent into Stillness
by Guru Rattana, PhD - Issue #10, December 21, 1999
The Sun enters Capricorn Tuesday December 21, the day of the Winter Equinox, the longest day of the year and this year also the Full Moon. (See Issue 9). Although Capricorn is an Earth sign, the Sea-Goat embodies both the water and the Earth elements. Its fish tail allows it to take in the spiritual energy contained in the crystallized minerals in the Earth as it borrows its way to the deep subterranean sea. It is this profound connection with its emotional roots that gives the Sea-Goat the stability and patience necessary for its climb up the mountain of life. It is the acknowledgment of its emotions as the expression of its Soul that leads it to discover its destiny path. It is the depth of integration with the Earth, its mother, that nurtures its sense of security. It is the experience of Oneness with the Earth that anchors in its courage to make the climb to the summit of personal integrity and to offer its unique contribution to the world.
Capricorn is one of the three Earth signs (Virgo and Taurus are the others). When one truly experiences the Earth element, one can be totally still. The best time of the year to tune into the peaceful stillness of the Earth is when the Sun is in Capricorn. The days around Winter Solstice are optimal days to silently meditate and allow this experience to enter your consciousness.
Earth Meditation and Stillness
To experience total stillness, one must be receptive to the sensations of gravity. Simply feel the sensations in your body as you allow gravity and the Earth element to become a conscious experience. Feel the downward pull of gravity and the sensations of heaviness, immobility, permanence and safety that this evokes.
Stillness is associated with the first chakra. To simulate this sensation, lightly pull the muscles at the anus and then release them. Do this several times, or periodically during your meditation, to bring your attention to your root chakra. This pulling and releasing of the anus muscle will also simulate a feeling of receiving or absorbing energy from the Earth. You may feel that you have an energetic tail. When your tail reaches the center of the Earth, you will be in the place where we are all join as One.
It is this experience of Oneness that crystallizes Capricorn's commitment to serve humanity. It is this deep experience within yourself that will help you define your unique contribution. Before your meditation, ask to receive this information and then use your meditation to be receptive to guidance and support.
Enjoy your descent. I will discuss the climb to the top of the mountain in Issue 11.
Below I offer you a poem I wrote to enhance your experience of stillness.
Winter Solstice: Stillness, Stand Still
Stillness is the winter of our spiritual journey.
It is the time to disentangle ourselves from situations that are
creating confusion
zapping our energy
leading us astray
to identify where we block ourselves and evaluate our life situation.
Stand still is a Divine directive
to stop all our activities
to observe what is happening
to be with what is so
to get in touch with the Truth.
When we stand still we can
calm down
achieve clarity
consciously connect
consolidate our energy
establish a powerful presence.
Stand still is the antidote to agitation.
Agitation is born from dissatisfaction.
Dissatisfaction breeds impatience.
Impatience spawns frustration.
Frustration depletes our energy.
In silent stillness
we become aware of the tight restraints under which we live
we discern where the pay back is not adequate for the energy spent
we are in touch with our emotions and thoughts that create incongruities
we recognize our power to create a space that attracts to us what we want.
Stillness is a time of withdrawal, where we
look at what we are doing
assess the implications of our actions
sacrifice our illusions
submit to our higher guidance
surrender to the Divine.
Withdrawal is a time to patiently accept
the death of the old
the gestation of the new
the process of growth called life.
Winter Solstice is the time to reach within instead of out. It is a time
to examine and release outmoded habits
to shed and cleanse the debris in our environments and in our minds
to discover what we are holding on to that we best relinquish
to reconnect with our inner life
to reaffirm what is real and sacred
to sacrifice our ego for our Soul.
The end of the year is a time of acceptance, not of blame.
It is a time of observation, not of judgment.
It is a time of awareness, not of stubborn will.
It is a time of wisdom, not of judgment.
It is a time of courage, not of fear.
The dawn of the new year is a time of change, not of retrenchment.
It is a time of transformation, not denial.
It is a time of prayer, not self-pity.
It is a time to trust, not to doubt.
It is a time to express gratitude for all our blessings.
The last act of this year's play is a time to examine our impatience and to cultivate our ability
to be still, so we can connect
to accept, so we can ascertain
to let go, so we can know
to surrender, so we can be assisted
to die, so we can be reborn.
To be truly still is to relinquish control.
When we do so, we realize that something is transpiring
that we are not in charge of
that exists independent of our personal will
that is eternal and all-pervasive
that consistently continues no matter what we do or do not do.
In total stillness we connect to our foundation.
We find our roots.
We achieve stability.
We anchor ourselves on solid ground.
We are aware that our body is our sacred home.
In effortless stillness we turn our attention to our Self.
We discover our core.
We are reduced to zero.
Beyond the "I" we discover the "Am".
Stillness is experienced inside. Inside is where
we explore
we discover
we create.
From our inner stillness is birthed
energy
excitement
joy and
action.
From our inner stillness
guidance is received
our vision becomes clear
our plan unfolds
our seeds are sown
our roots grow.
The goal of stillness is to attain peace. From stillness
we connect with our inner power
we mobilize our inner resources
we align our energy for action
we move from a place of eternal Oneness.
The gifts of stillness are
effortless control
expanded containment
unquestioned contentment.
For deep within our solitude
we are restored
we are renewed
the ice melts and spring is born.
We wake-up to find ourselves standing
silently
peacefully
joyfully
in the center of our own heart.
Poem 491, Copyright © Guru Rattana, Ph.D.
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