Syzygy: calming mind fluctuations for inner peace

The tides are governed by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. This pulling force drives the rise and fall of a body of water over a period of time, creating tides. There are many different types of tides. A bore tide is where the edge of water in a bay or river creates a tide moving in the opposite direction of the water.

A rip tide is created when water from a river channels into an ocean through the surf line; it is fast and furious. This strong channel of water creates crashing waves.

A neap tide occurs when the sun and moon form a right angle, as when we see a half moon. Since they are pulling in different directions, there is minimal difference between high and low tide.

The spring tide occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun align in a straight line. This is called a syzygy, and it occurs twice a month, during a new and full moon. During this time, there is the greatest difference between high and low tide due to the collective gravitational pull.

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As the great sage Patanjali so eloquently states,

“Yoga is the calming of the fluctuations of the mind.”

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These tidal fluctuations exist within. The word yoga, in this case, refers to aspects of mindfulness, awareness, and meditation. The yoga poses themselves were created to prepare the body for meditation and reflection, to assist with calming the fluctuations. 

As our mind has natural tidal rhythms, we can tap in and discover our own tidal workings within. There are moments of low tide, maybe a dull lull or listless stagnation, with a lower frequency of engagement.

Then there are moments of high tide, possibly the ringing of a loud bell, as when we pound a sledgehammer at the state fair. This is a time of some mind racing and irregular or erratic thoughts, certainly not smooth sailing, quite diffracted and choppy.

As the difference between these tides is greatest when there is a syzygy, we can begin to discern this phenomenon within ourselves. Just as a pendulum swings up and down and back and forth, so does our mind. This is normal, and when we begin to notice these permutations, we become our own masters, able to guide our tides towards a more balanced internal sea and towards inner peace.

When our internal tides are high, which may be the default nowadays due to overstimulation, we notice and adjust. This is possibly a good time for some calming techniques. A slow nature walk, some gardening, maybe working on a home project, or reading a nice book, etc. Anything that can assist our mind to slow down, not advocating tequila for the record, though.

A calming meditation or possibly a nice relaxing hot tub. Redirecting our mind towards steady awareness is what it's all about. That's it, we learn to just notice, and then instill a craft that enhances our well-being. This calms the high tides while restoring us towards inner peace.

When the tide is low, we notice lower frequencies, a bit of dull ache, or some dark, stagnant energy. Again, using inner awareness and practice, we construct methods to raise our vibe.

Going for a jog or a swim, taking up an active project, reading a stimulating book—anything to instill some positive activity in the body and mind. This energizes our body and mind, invigorates energy to flow, and stimulates happiness and joy.

The thing is, none of us wants to get stuck lying in the wet sand, nor having to brace ourselves for our dear lives from being thrashed out to sea. There is a balance, and we are in control of our own destiny.

We always have a choice: will the tides take us over, or can we learn to tune into our breath, stabilize our mind, steady the waves, and restore inner peace?

Just do it… our awareness will guide us, as we are the masters of our sea.

We own our syzygies, and with authoritative tenderness, a direct nudge, and loving kindness, we can calm the fluctuations of our mind. Anytime and anywhere, and then, if only momentarily, it’s as if we are riding on smooth glass. Wheeeee!!

Cheers!

Kether

Spunky Mind

"You are the sky. Everything else-

it's just the weather"

Pema Chodron