Moonday Meditation

In yoga philosophy, the moon represents the mind, while the sun represents consciousness, or the soul.

The sun is a light source, and in yogic philosophy light is identified with consciousness, while the moon does not shine, it only reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, the mind is not a source of consciousness, it only reflects consciousness, it is a mirror or screen onto which light is projected.

The source of light, or the soul, is located in the heart and may be surrounded or covered up by negative thoughts and emotions. Disturbing thoughts distort the images presented in the mind. The purpose of yoga practice is thus to eliminate these impurities that prevent us from feeling the full radiance of being that emanates from the heart and create distortions that prevent us from seeing clearly.

The first four limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are targeted at this psychological purification: Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama are known as the external limbs of yoga - these are designed to purge the mind and body of impurities.

YS 2.52 - tataḥ kśīyate prakāśāvaraṇam

The perfection of pranayama is said to eliminate the veil that obscures the light of the consciousness from shining.

Then the mind is made fit for steadiness and concentration:

YS 2.53 - dhāraṇāsu ca yogyatā manasaḥ

When the moon is full, it has the greatest capacity for reflection. For this reason, the full moon can be both an ideal time for meditation and also, potentially, a most distracting time, if the heart is constricted by negativity.

When the mind and body have been purified through the external limbs of yoga, the mind becomes fit for concentration, meditation and samadhi (the internal limbs).