Seva - Day 1 of Planet Care with Erik Phillips-Nania

Introduction & Background for Environmental Meditations

As you read this, sit comfortably with a straight spine. Start sitali (cooling) pranayama, breathing in through the mouth, with a curled tongue or pursed lips like you were sipping through a straw. (Full instructions are HERE)… Begin your meditation by visualizing your cooling breath cooling your Earth-Body.

The cooling/healing of oneself is inherently the cooling/healing of the Earth. We are all in an energetic entanglement (and oneness) with the Forces of Nature (and Everything!). Every “individual” neurosis is an ecological crisis and every sattvic meditation is an Earth Healing. Every sattvic meditation increases your vibrations and the vibrations in the Field of Consciousness (Purusha). With focused intention, these vibrations can have powerful, measurable effects, like purifying the atmosphere, purifying water, accelerating photosynthesis, and calming the weather.

Everyone has the innate, latent ability to help Heal the Earth. (However, not everyone has the knowledge or willpower.) Like any skill, it takes dedication and regular practice. It takes time, study, and effort to have this ability and this direct experience. When we develop this ability, our power and effectiveness of our service/seva can be amplified.

Control the Mind. (And you can “control” the weather.) How? This is the science of the Yoga Sutras, the science of consciousness and meditation. The 8-Fold Path (Ashtanga) leads not only to Samadhi, but extraordinary powers of consciousness called “siddhis”. (Check out this summary of the Yoga Sutras’s Siddhis, HERE).

Let’s apply the fundamental principles of Ayurveda: Everything is understood in light of the Gunas. All diseases and all treatments are based on understanding the gunas. Of the 20 Gunas, Hot and Cold (Agni/Soma) are “the most important.” (Ashtanga Hrydam, 1.18 Commentary). So, if someone or some environment is too hot, then we should apply cold, to create balance, harmony, and healing.

YIDAM MEDITATION, Introduction

For example, one of the Dalai Lama’s assistants, Yeshe Rinpoche, would help ensure good weather for all of the Dalai Lama’s events. (His story is described HERE). Yeshe’s advice for developing this skill is to transform yourself into a meditational deity. This is a Yidam Meditation, and this was THE original meditation in the RigVeda, from which both Hinduism (and Yoga) and Buddhism evolved. Yidam/Deity meditations were, arguably, the original Yoga Practice/Sadhana, for thousands and thousands of years.

To work with the Weather Deities/Gods, one must cleanse the mind and make it perfect without illusions.

During meditation practice, the yogi identifies their own form, attributes and mind with those of a yidam/deity for the purpose of transformation. Each deity has a unique mantra and mandala, invocations and practices.

For Earth Healing meditations, our primary consideration is, “What is needed right now?” One answer is: the Southwest United States is experiencing an imbalance of extreme heat and needs cooling.

The image to the right is a heat map of the United States from July 13th, 2021, showing the ongoing heatwave. (The fully video and story is HERE).

Visualization: Focus on sending coolness to the US Southwest…

Indra, King of the Devas/Gods & God of the Sky

(If Indra does not resonate with you, you can invoke or pray to whichever deity or god who you have developed a relationship with, to ask them to help cool the American Southwest). (In Hinduism and in the Vedas, despite the appearance of many different gods, it’s actually a monotheistic, with belief in a single God. The gods like Indra (and Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, etc.) are all specific attributes of the One, called Brahma in the Vedanta.)

Indra’s Mantra Meditation

(Listening to this while visualizing the cooling of the Earth can be your meditation.)

Om Sahasra Nethraye Vidhmahe
Vajra Hasthaya Dheemahe
Thanno Indra Prachodayath (Listen HERE).

Indra’s Mandala Meditation

Above: Indra’s Net of Jewels Mandalas (Details HERE), about the interconnectedness of everything. (Gazing at the mandalas while visualizing the cooling of the Earth can be your meditation).

In the ancient Vedic tradition, Indra is a very real being, an energetic being (just like humans), with a specific vibration and His sacred capacities are available to you.

It is said that Indra can help heal and cool the Earth. He is reached through visualizations, mantra, yantra/mandala, and myth. Indra comes alive when He is invoked. It’s about imagination and intention, to unlock the powers of your consciousness. Mythic stories are a path to a sacred reality. It’s a way to bring the Deity’s/God’s divine light and energy into your own body, mind, and heart. Their power is within your energy field.

Our relationship and view of Indra (and any deity) depends on our level of consciousness. Allow Indra’s power to awaken and transform you. Feel the energy of Indra within your own energy field.

For a great description of and guide for deity meditations, check out the phenomenal book, Awakening Shakti by Sally Kempton (HERE).

Indra’s Rigvedic Hymns / Meditation

O Come, Indra, I send thee a mind-yoked hymn.

Our chants of praise strengthen thee.

So strengthen the songs we sing.

Indra, sing forth your song and hymns of praise.

Indra, the Lord of the Rich, Guardian of all Men,

May you stand by us in our need and in abundance.

Mighty Indra, Come with your strength.

Win us the Cooling Waters of the Sky.

May we have days of fair, bright weather.

… May the Soutwest US Receive your Cooling Clouds and Rains…. Thank you for your blessings. OM Shanti.