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Winter Solstice Meditation Master of Qigong Zhongxian Wu |
Winter solstice is the Yin energy reaching the peak level and the coldest winter period will start from this day but Yang energy is reborn at the same moment. In old Chinese tradition, we have a big winter solstice celebration. It was one of my favorite childhood Chinese festivals. In my memory, families gathered in the kitchen to prepare the sacrificial food on the winter solstice eve. My grandmother made many kinds of rice flour animal dolls. My brother and I would help make the TangYuan (small rice ball).
In the early morning of the next day, the first thing for my family was to bring out TangYuan, rice animal dolls, and other sacrificial foods to offer to Nature. Now, the urban life of China has lost numerous traditional celebrations. During my 20 years living in the city, I never saw any winter solstice celebrations. But most northern Chinese families will still eat JiaoZi (dumpling) and southern Chinese families still eat TangYuan at the winter solstice.
Both JiaoZi and TangYuan are symbols representing Yang Qi. Eating JiaoZi or Tangyuan during the winter solstice is a way to remind us to hold Yang energy within and keep warm during the cold winter. So we need to work harder to maintain a harmonious Qi field to support ourselves and others. In Chinese wisdom traditions, we need spend more time doing Qigong and meditation to support the rebirth of our inner Yang energy on the winter solstice day.
AN INNER MEDITATION WINTER SOLSTICE CEREMONY
FIRST Light a candle in front of you to start the meditation. Softly open your eyes and take a look at the candle light clearly. Then close your eyes and imagine the light in your Dantian (lower belly). Adjust your breathing to be slow and even. Feel each of your breath making the light brighter and brighter in your Dantian. Meditate as long as you can. Before ending, please say a little prayer ?Say, "The Spiritual Lights shine within my heart and body! May the Spiritual Lights shine within my family and friends! May the Spiritual Lights shine within all beings! May the Spiritual Lights always shine with peace and harmony for the World!"