1. Mithuna Rashi

Mrgaśira-Ārdra

Punarvasu Nakşatras

Moon in Gemini

'The Lord is in all beings and the entire Universe is in Him.' - Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

The meditation techniques included in this book are to be practiced only under the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and in consultation with your personal physician to determine your fitness and ability to do the techniques. They are not intended to be a substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. If someone tries these techniques without prior participation in the meditation programs of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and without the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, they shall be doing so entirely at their own risk; neither the author nor Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam nor Nithyananda Publishers shall be responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Published by: Nithyananda Publishers Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore road Bidadi 562 109, Bengaluru, Karnataka state, India

CopyrightC 2009 - 'Living Enlightenment year'

First Edition: December 2009, M.R.P in India only: Ebook ISBN : 979-8-88572-203-2 ISBN: 978-1-60607-117-5 ISBN: 1-60607-117-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. In the event that you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions. All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards supporting charitable activities.

Printed in India by : W Q Judge Press, 97, Residency Road, Bangalore - 560 025, Karnataka state Ph: +91 80 2221 1168 Email: [email protected]

Universal Truth

If you look deeply, if you look beyond mundane life, beyond the day-to-day life we live ... If you contemplate on a night sky ... you will see that the most intimate and complete relationship man owns is the relationship to the Universe. In fact, it is man's ultimate relationship: he takes birth, lives and merges back into it. Nothing happens outside of it; even his enlightenment happens in it. Just as the child grows in his mother's womb, man evolves in the cosmic womb. He is the microcosm of a tremendous cosmic macrocosm. Therefore, all components of man, from the grossest to the subtlest, come from the universe: his body, his mind, his energy and his very consciousness are elements of the cosmos. Universe and man are indivisible. Whatever happens in the Universe resounds in the human consciousness, and whatever happens in the human consciousness resounds in the Universe. Both are a unique consciousness.

3 Moon in Gemini 3

The Great Vedic Astronomy

Man has been deeply fascinated by the Cosmos since the beginning of time. Early cultures worked on understanding the phenomena that happen in the sky; they observed them in order to understand what role the sky played in their lives. From these attempts, the science of astronomy was born.

In this field, the ancient Vedic contribution is well known. The earliest references to astronomy are found in the Rg Veda, which are dated 2000 BC. Around 500 BCE, Aryabhata, a great astronomer, presented a system that showed the earth to spin on its axis and considered the motions of the planets with respect to the Sun. He also discovered how the lunar and solar eclipses occur and was the earliest to discover that the orbits of the planets around the Sun are ellipses, just as Copernicus and Galileo concluded a thousand years later. He even determined the diameter of the Earth to be 5,000 yojanas, approximately 36,000 km, which is very close to the actual figure.

4 Moon in Gemini

These traditions related these objects and their movements to natural events such as rain, drought, seasons and tides; they related them to auspicious or inauspicious occurrences on planet Earth. Jyotisa, the science of Vedic astrology, took birth out of observations and perceptions based on these astronomical phenomena. The first astronomers were actually Rsis and sages, who understood the sky was a divine happening; they identified celestial objects with energies and Gods and connected astronomy to astrology.

Moon in Gemini 5

Jyotişa Simply Put

Astrology manifested in the inner vision of the ancient sages and Rsis of India. These yogis and enlightened beings were able to see beyond the realm of names and forms. They could feel and express the subtle reality that exists behind cosmic phenomena. As such, they perceived the primal powers of cosmic intelligence in the planets and stars (the macrocosm), and worshipped the cosmic powers within themselves (the microcosm) as powers of their being.

By concentrating intensely on the Sun and other planets, they understood the movement of the life force in their body, and by meditating on the life force, they also came to understand the movement of the Sun and the planets in the heavens. Through this technique called samyama, they could unravel the secrets of the universe. They brought down their understanding into a system of Vedic science, which became known as Jyotisa: the science of light.

6 Moon in Gemini

Parāśara was one such sage. He is known for being the father of Jyotişa. He wrote the magnum opus Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra, which systematically explains the theory of predictive astrology. According to history, he is the grandson of Vasista and also father of Veda Vyasa, who wrote the great epic Māhābhārata. The depth of his astrological knowledge was so great that one evening while crossing a river in a boat, he casually looked at his favorite stars in heaven and suddenly realized it was an exceptionally auspicious moment. He concluded that if a child were conceived at that moment, he would be an expert in the scriptures. So he told this to the lady rowing the boat and requested that she marry him. She agreed and the son born out of their spiritual union was Veda Vyasa!

Moon in Gemini 7

By observing the movements of the celestial bodies through time and space, the science of Vedic Astrology can be applied to each human incarnation to encourage the soul to develop to its fullest potential.

In Paramahamsa Nithyananda's own words:

'The moment the consciousness enters the body, the energy level of the cosmos at the time of birth gets printed in that consciousness. Your inner space gets a print of the cosmic energy level and the position of the nine major energy centers of the solar system.

The astrological planets are not only astronomical, they are energies. A particular energy of push and pull exists between them. The different energy positions clearly decide the cosmic energy level during the time of birth. Based on that, Jyotisa will be able to predict the course of life. Understand, not exact incidences because you have freedom. You have freedom to decide whether to sit here or not, to read this or not.

8 Moon in Gemini

The major course of life- if you will get enlightened or not can be predicted. Principles can be predicted, not policies! Having an idea about your horoscope will give you intelligence and acceptance in your life: intelligence to take decisions and the acceptance to bear the inevitable things. According to me, a seeker should have a basic knowledge about his horoscope.'

Jyotişa and Living Enlightenment

Jyotisa can help one to read his destiny. But what is actually destiny?

There are only two types of destinies:

The first one is destiny as defined by a dictionary: destiny lived within the boundaries of the ego, with its own expectations, hopes, desires, successes and failures. It is constantly changing. Because it evolves under mind's law, it is mechanical, accidental and coincidental. This 'destiny' is lived in the dimension of the mind, so it has no existential reality in itself. It is nothing more than a reproduction of one's past in the

Moon in Gemini 9

present, which conditions the future in a mechanical way.

The other destiny is existential and ultimate; it is the flowering of consciousness into enlightenment. Understand: the only thing predestined in the scheme of life is that man is meant to evolve to reach enlightenment. The rest is just incidental; it happens for no other reason than to teach and mold the being towards seeking enlightenment. Living enlightenment is all about making conscious choices, free from the unconscious push and pull of the samskāras.

The further you wander from your center, the more you lose yourself in your periphery, the more you are subjected to incidents and accidents. Whereas, when you live enlightenment, you are centered, you are within your boundaries, you are aware. You become predestined, because your predestination is to reach enlightenment; your destiny is to become more and more aware. Then you become the agent of your fate,

10 Moon in Gemini

and you move beyond grahas' influences. This is how you come to terms with your karmas.

For that to happen, a simple understanding of the forces at work in you can help clarity manifest in your daily routine. In addition to this, you can follow a couple of guidelines to keep your body healthy with the science of Ayurveda and raise your energy level with yoga, the use of gemstones, rudrākșa beads, mantra chanting, and a basic knowledge of your psychological tendencies coupled with the ancient Vedic wisdom expressed by the great enlightened Masters.

All these remedies will bring lucidity about your mental set-up and support for eventually dropping your conditionings, unclutching from your mind and emotions and fostering your intelligence and energy to Live Enlightenment.

Moon in Gemini 11

Understanding Grahas and Nakșatras

The grahas are energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. Each of the nine main grahas in Vedic astrology has a specific energy field that creates specific effects on our planet Earth. For example, the moon has a strong impact on the movements of the sea and on plant growth; it even influences the mind of human beings. In the same way, the major energy centers produce an effect on living beings and influence their potential at birth, their mental set-up and, therefore, the course of their destiny. In Jyotisa, grahas are often referred as the agents of the karmas for which the soul took birth. Human personality and life have their counterparts in the structure of the cosmic physiology, represented by the grahas and the nakşatras.

There are nine grahas (nine influences or 'planets') in our solar system: the Sun (Surya), the Moon (Candra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Śukra), Saturn (Śani) and two nodes called Rāhu

12 Moon in Gemini

(ascending lunar node) and Ketu (descending lunar node). These represent archetypes. Sūrya, for example, represents consciousness; Candra represents the cosmic mind; Budha represents the cosmic intellect, etc.

Most of the calendars of the world have been set by the Sun's and Moon's movements (measuring the day, month and year) and were of great importance for agriculture, because the harvest depended on planting at the correct time of the year. But the Vedic tradition uses a system of 27 naksatras to calculate months. The naksatra is the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time. In each month, the full moon sits in a particular constellation, and the Vedic month will have this naksatra's name.

Each naksatra falls under the rule of one, sometimes two grahas. Each graha is assigned three naksatras. For example, if the child is born when the moon sits in Aśvini nakşatra, his birth star will be Aśvini, and his sign will be Aries (called mesha in Sanskrit), ruled by planet Mars (Mangala). Bharani and Krttika, the

Moon in Gemini 13

two next naksatras, also fall under the lordship of Aries sign. All three will therefore have similar characteristics and will influence the child's mind and consciousness at the time of birth, shaping his destiny.

14 Moon in Gemini

If Mercury is your Planet

Moon in Gemini 15

'I worship Mercury, dark like the priyangu flower, who has an unequalled form, the intelligent son of the moon, endowed with a gentle nature.'

• Veda Vyasa

Dynamic: How we understand, how we express ourselves

Keywords: Intelligence, wit, cleverness, skill, eloquence, communication, agility, versatility, adaptability, detachment, spirituality

Sign: Gemini, Virgo

Color: Green

Cakra: Viśuddhi

Temperament: Sattva

Governing deity: Visnu

16 Moon in Gemini

Mercury in Vedic Scriptures

Mercury is the eternal मण्ि फूडा सवर्ण केंशी ए तितता देवी धम्बा क विक मानिमी सान पाप youth. He is लंकेश्वरी तवा अन्याश्य कापा कि oo zak कeetहहrein य्रह कारिका अतददास वासी हरार । बडी संखिनी कमणाकषो हारणी हनि depicted with पमराक्षशी रेवती क भूत इसनों शों वक्त सा हकज बॉत सैक सर्व सरवानाए सूर्वनदापडकाय हो यार प्ाशनतराय सहसमार विदासराय four arms; one शत पश्चन्तृ वदा गनं मिध्हानु का इुमीश्याम राम महर शिरात हएवं कमि स्था्हा।। पछरक्षार्शनि अरे३ै गना २ मम सर्व शिमाम् हए २ चतुर आदा धो हारती महा डेवी यकषणी त्रियश निवरिणक२ आशय २ भामक र सिह रै यजसेनावति यछ् चुत्र हत परिवारा श माशय २ साडय २ गोलक 2 जोर ३े ोह क carries a साना शीय शरवरा सर्योनकार बाल दृष्टमन्या मम किन विनावासी ब्य तुक सदीपभश्य क आ: पुष्य चूप दीम गमा थे है है कर कर स्वाहा : अभ्य कमि कोरेक घन्र स्वन पताकादि सर्व परिपर्णमस sword, दण शाहि २ तोयच २ हारती भ कामार्ब साधनी देहि वामर स्वाहा ।1 हारती बलि सवृछ ॐ नमः भी हेवज़ाय मठाना another a shield and a third a mace. The fourth hand is held in a gesture of blessings.

He wears green garments; his vehicle is a lion. He rides on a white chariot illuminated by light and drawn by ten horses that are as fast as the wind and as fast as thought.

His father is Soma, the Moon, his mother is Tara, the consort of Brhaspati, the Guru of the Gods. Brahma the creator gave him the name Budha meaning 'intelligent' and 'wise', because of his quick mind.

Moon in Gemini 17

He is said to be adept in all the Vedic scriptures, auspicious but sensitive, and if disturbed, he can trigger natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and according to some ... earthquakes.

Tendencies of Mercury and Gemini

'Mercury is endowed with an attractive physique and the capacity to make puns and use words with double meaning. He has a sense of humor and is fond of jokes.'

-Parāśara

Symbol: The twins

Element: Air

Ruling Planet: Mercury/Budha

Gender: Neutral (neither male nor female)

Ayurvedic constitution: Vata (air)

Healing stone: Green Jade

18 Moon in Gemini

Gemini stands for the Mind principle of the universe. Its symbol is the twin, which shows duality, intellectual perception, energy. It is often nervous, restless, quick witted and ingenious. This sign shows a great power of adaptability and understanding, coupled with brilliant expression skills that make the person unique in many ways.

The Mercury sign is naturally curious and shows interest in different fields. It likes to play with intellect. Gemini is an eternal student, always eager to learn, but never to go deeply into the subject.

On the one hand, Gemini natives can be indecisive and inconsistent, never bringing anything to fruition because of their changeable nature. Conflict and instability are characteristics of the sign. On the other hand, contentment, satisfaction, stability and tranquility are qualities a Gemini strives to develop. The native seeks to collect a variety of life experiences, which can scatter his energy and lead him to depression and a tendency to live in the dimension of the mind only.

Moon in Gemini 19

The Gemini sign is not too concerned with practical results. On a higher level, the sign shows idealism and a humanitarian approach to life; on a lower level, it denotes too much instability and superficiality.

Gemini Nakşatra: Mrgaśira, Ārdra and Punarvasu

Characteristics of a Mrgasira born

Mrgaśira is also called 'the searching star'. Its symbol is an antelope's head. People born under this naksatra's auspice have the face of a deer and a strong body.

Mrgaśira has a pure temperament and the seeking for spiritual liberation is one of its primary goals. It is an excellent influence for research in religious and philosophical truths, and it has the power 'to confer fulfillment'.

If you are Mrgasira born, you will often feel you are looking for something, without really knowing

20 Moon in Gemini

what. You have the quality of a seeker. You are sincere and expect others to be sincere as well. You have a good grasping power and are endowed with a creative, gentle, peaceful and perceptive nature.

But you may lack firm or fixed views and have to learn to confront others in order to stay independent in your life. You are capable, but too shy sometimes to bring your skills forward. You may also be overly attached to strong earthly needs and laziness, which will stick you in inertia and stagnation.

You will do well in a career requiring a research- oriented mind, teaching, writing, and acting. You could be an astrologer, poet, or gemologist.

Characteristics of an Ardra born

The symbol of Ardra is a tear-drop. It is called 'the star of sorrow' and is influenced by Rudra, the Lord of storms who controls destruction and dissolution.

Moon in Gemini 21

Ardra connotes the processes through which loss and disappointment take place. It stands for the 'power to make gains in life through greater effort'.

Therefore, this naksatra is sharp, fierce, and endowed with the clarity and emotional cleansing that happens after the native has gone through trials, difficulties and conflicts.

This naksatra reflects brilliant mental abilities and makes it fit to study the spiritual laws of the Universe.

As an Ardra born, you are strong and earn by sacrifice, but are sometimes subjected to fear and anger. You can behave very coolly during times of extreme hardship. You can be insincere at times and ungrateful; you may also spend money foolishly.

You are very flexible and open to change, and sincerely strive to change yourself, leading sometimes to much inner conflict. You should be particularly alert to stress related-ailments, calm your nervous system and sensitivity, and welcome yourself as you are, without overly criticizing yourself constantly.

22 Moon in Gemini

You have interests in being a writer, teacher, social worker, public relations expert, a good salesman, athlete or worker in the humanitarian field.

Characteristics of a Punarvasu born

Punarvasu is 'the star of renewal'. It represents new beginnings and a life mission to carry forward successfully. The sky is the limit for this naksatra.

It reflects purity, truth and strong moral values and confers 'the ability to gain wealth and abundance'.

If you are born under Punarvasu's auspices, you will have many friends, you will enjoy reading sacred texts and scriptures; you will possess gems, jewels and ornaments. Your spirit is able to rise from the ashes, and your approach to life is very optimistic and curious. You may be childlike and playful at times. You will have a good height and an oval face.

You are generally calm, but tend to get into disputes to exhibit your intelligence. This may give rise to arguments with other family members. You are

Moon in Gemini 23

good natured; even when you go through difficulties you will be always helpful to others. Easily contented, you are self- controlled, but may be indecisive.

Be careful not to over-intellectualize life and become too critical. Your mental vacillations sometimes do not allow you to be in the moment and prompt you to speak when you should keep silence.

You have abilities to work in the publishing field, the entertainment area, or as a teacher, as well as areas which include dealing with social groups and the public. Great potential in the communication field can be shown here.

24 Moon in Gemini

Energy Centers and Gemini

Viśuddhi cakra: Expressing one's Uniqueness

There are 7 major energy centers in our body, called cakras in Sanskrit. They are directly connected to our emotions and impact different aspects of our personality and the way we relate to ourselves, others, and to Existence.

Each planet resonates with a particular energy center in the body. Mercury is connected to Viśuddhi cakra, which is located in the throat region. Viśuddhi flowers when you stop comparing yourself to others and express your own uniqueness.

We are always looking to achieve in the outer world. This is the root cause of comparison and the jealousy we feel as a consequence. People respect you only if you have achieved something tangible in the outer world. Educational degrees, beauty titles, company designations, published papers and bank balances are all scales that society uses to grade you.

Moon in Gemini 25

First of all, you don't need to be graded by anyone, including yourself. Place trust in your own intelligence. There is much you can achieve in the outer world.

But understand that there is much to be achieved in the inner world as well. Outer-world achievements are all incidental. They will get you instant name and fame and money. But the real achievement is in the inner world.

Center yourself well with awareness and simply take part in the outer-world activities like a lotus untouched in a pond. Let the work in the periphery go on undisturbed, but center yourself in your Being. Automatically, you will stop swaying in accordance with the outer world achievements and feel stability and joy in the center of your own Being. Finding your center is the only way out of the whole cycle of comparison with others that does not allow you to express your uniqueness as easily as it could.

26 Moon in Gemini

Gemini and Ayurveda: Understand your Constitution

Generally, the Ayurvedic dośa (body constitution) related to Gemini is vata.

Vata influences the movement of thoughts, feelings, prana flow, nerve impulse, and fluids in the body.

Let's use this scale:

If you experience symptoms such as anxiety, worry, shyness, a tendency to insomnia, chronic tiredness, mental and emotional depression, physical tension, stress, a weak immune system, headaches, underweight, constipation, dryness of skin, mental confusion, inability to take decisions, fast speech, too many fantasies, then there is a good possibility you are suffering from vata imbalance.

If you have good mental alertness, abundant creative energy, a good elimination system of waste

Moon in Gemini 27

matters, sound sleep, strong immune system, enthusiasm, emotional balance and stability, then the vata principle is balanced in your body.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly vata body constitution:

O Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge

Slim body

O Talk and walk quickly

Cold hands and feet,

O Excitable, lively

O Changeable moods

O Respond to stress with fear and worry and anxiety

O Variable appetite and digestion

O Tendency to be tired easily

Full of enthusiasm and joy

28 Moon in Gemini

O Impulsive

O Generally good management and leadership ability

O Dry skin, dry hair, don't perspire much

O Headache, hypertension, sore throat, anxiety, muscle spasm, irregular heartbeat, constipation, winds, diarrhea, arthritis, neurological disorder.

How to manage vata?

Factors that can balance vata are warm and soothing food with added oil and fat, as well as sweet tastes. Cold items should be avoided and caffeine should be stopped, as it strains vata's nervous system. Mental and emotional peace and lifestyle routines are important to restore and maintain balance. Vata can be corrected by using warm sesame oil for self-massage. If you can't massage the whole body, at least apply warm oil on the feet and scalp. Maintaining a regular routine in terms of eating, sleeping and other activities will also help you to unclutch the mind.

Moon in Gemini 29

Food items to balance vata:

Warm and cooked food with added oil and fat is good for pacifying vata.

Warm milk, cream, butter, vegetable soups, hot cereals, freshly baked bread, potatoes, cheese and nourishing food are good for stabilizing vata.

On the other hand, food such as salads, iced drinks and ice creams, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. One should avoid drinks with high caffeine as vata finds it disturbing. As a snack, it is better to prefer nuts that are heavy and oily, as opposed to dry and salty.

All sweet fruits are good for vata. One should avoid unripe fruit that are too astringent. Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger and cloves should be favored.

30 Moon in Gemini

Meditation for Gemini: Balance your Vata!

Mercury natives can be benefitted through techniques which enhance their natural devotion and ability to perceive higher principles of life. For them, meditations that foster the unclutched state (the state of deep inner peace) are a must!

Here is a meditation for you:

Step 1-Duration: 10 minutes - Sit in vajrāsana (kneel down and sit with your bottom resting on your heels). Place your hands on your hips. By doing this, you are establishing a connection between the upper and lower parts of your body. Chant 'hoo' for as long as possible with each exhale. Begin again with each inhale, holding the chant as long as possible as you exhale.

Step 2-Duration: 21 minutes - Continue sitting in vajrasana. With the hands on the hips, bend down at the hip to touch the forehead to the ground. Continue to chant the 'hoo' sound in this position.

Moon in Gemini 31

This meditation will make your whole body to vibrate, contributing to lowering your inner chatter.

32 Moon in Gemini

Nithya Dhyaan: the Universal Technique

Nithya Dhyaan is a formula and technique that works on all the components of your being. Whatever your birth sign may be, it awakens the cosmic powers within you and makes them available to your being to excel in all spheres of life.

This is a five-step technique. Allow seven minutes for each step. Keep your eyes closed throughout the meditation.

1- Chaotic breathing:

Sit in vajrāsana (kneel and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips and breathe chaotically, without a repetitive rhythm. Just focus on your breathing; let your entire being become the breathing.

Moon in Gemini 33

2- Intense Humming:

Continue to sit in vajrāsana, form cin mudra with your fingers (with the thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched), and place your hands on your knees, palms facing upwards. In this posture, with your mouth closed, produce the sound 'Mmmm ... ' from inside your body, as loudly and lengthily as possible.

3- Cakra awareness:

You may continue to sit in vajrāsana or sit crossed legged if you wish. Keep your fingers in cin mudra position. Now, bring your awareness to each cakra one after the other, from mūlādhāra cakra (root center) to sahasrāra cakra

34 Moon in Gemini

(crown center). Feel each cakra completely as if your whole being has become that energy center.

4- Silent Meditation: Be unclutched

In this step, carry the understanding with you that your thoughts are unconnected, irrational and unclutched. Don't try to create thoughts, don't try to maintain thoughts, don't try to destroy thoughts or react to them. Just sit and watch them. Understand, by your very nature, you are pure being and bliss.

5- Guru Pūja

Now, connect, relax and rest into the universal energy. Just sit in a very deep and passive way, feeling one with the whole, God, or your Master. Listen to the Guru

Moon in Gemini 35

pūja mantras and feel their vibration in you. Express your gratitude with reverence.

You will find further details on the benefits of Nithya Dhyaan; along with the meditation instructions, in the comprehensive booklet and audio CD called Nithya Dhyaan- Experience bliss.

36 Moon in Gemini

Nithya Yoga for You

Yoga is one of the most suitable practices to stabilize Gemini's mind. Yoga postures should be done slowly and consciously. Geminis should be physical in their practice. Also, developing devotion towards the divine will help the native to pacify and bring serenity to his life. Sūrya Namaskar (the ancient Sun salutation), can be practiced by all natives!

Sarvāngāsana and Halāsana

1

3 2

Moon in Gemini 37

Instructions:

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asanas, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine loosened up and stretched out before entering the postures.

· Start the posture by lying on your back.

. Bend you knees with feet on the floor.

. Place your hands at your lower back.

· On an inhale, use momentum to swing your legs upward above your head with your knees bent.

· With the knees still bent, your shoulder blades closer together, bring the elbows closer.

· Straighten your legs up into the air. Have the feet flexed or toes slightly pointed.

. Continue to support your back with your hands.

. Look up toward your feet and breathe here for 6 to 12 breaths.

38 Moon in Gemini

Halāsana

· On the final exhale in shoulder stand, keeping your legs straight, lower your feet to the floor behind the back of your head.

. Continue to support your lower back with your hands.

· Breathe here for 6 - 12 times.

. After the last inhale, exhale and slowly roll your back onto the floor, bending the knees halfway and allow the legs to be on the mat.

Benefits:

These two postures work on stretching your shoulders and spine, and relax the region of the thyroid gland. Headaches are very much related to tightness in the shoulder region. This tightness does not allow the blood to flow freely in the head, causing fatigue and lack of mental clarity. By relaxing the whole spine and neck, one gains instant relaxation and well-being, and therefore an ease to express oneself.

Moon in Gemini 39

Sūrya Namaskār

Sūrya Namaskār (the Sun salutation) is called the king of asanas. It is a sequence of 12 postures, each symbolizing a sign of the zodiac. This sequence of asanas has the amazing ability to activate the best characteristics of your birth chart by bringing energy to your body, a clearer thinking through emotional balancing, and a restored health, thereby enabling you to express your intelligence and uniqueness. It is a technique to experience a conflict-free life, fulfillment and eternal bliss.

Its practice awakens the body's innate intelligence to produce energy from the sun. It is designed to access the etheric energy all around you. When performed facing the East in the first rays of the morning sun, along with the appropriate breathing technique and the mantra, the effect on the individual mind, body and spirit is incomparable.

It is said that the daily practice of Surya Namaskar

40 Moon in Gemini

is enough to work on the whole body organs, cakras and mindfor the whole day.

Sūrya Namaskār mantras

A mantra is a composition of syllables, words or sentences that, when repeated with awareness and visualization, has a powerful and penetrating influence on the mind. Before each repetition of Sūrya Namaskār, one chants the corresponding mantra, which is a glorification of the Sun. This simple method leads us to the experience that the outer Sun symbolizes the shining intelligence in our inner sky. We come to understand our connectivity to the cosmic energy that pervades all the grahas. The characteristics of our sign get activated to unfold its inherent potential. · Aum hrām mitrāya namaḥ Salutations to the friend of all

· Aum hrIm ravaye namaḥ Salutations to the shining one

· Aum hrūm sūryāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who induces activity

Moon in Gemini 41

· Aum hraim bhānave namaḥ Salutations to the one who illumines

· Aum hraum khagãa namaḥ Salutations to the one who moves swiftly · Aum hrah pūsne namaḥ Salutations to the giver of strength · Aum hrām hiraņyagarbhāya namaḥ Salutations to the golden Cosmic Self · Aum hrĪm marĪcaye namaḥ Salutations to the Lord of dawn

· Aum hrūm ādityāya namaḥ Salutations to the son of Aditi, the infinite Cosmic mother

Aum hraim savitre namaḥ Salutations to the eternal benevolent mother

Auḿ hraum arkāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who is praiseworthy · Aum hraḥ bhāskarāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

42 Moon in Gemini

Sūrya Namaskār āsana sequence

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asana, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine limber and stretched out before entering the postures.

3 4 2 5

I 6 II

IO 9 8 7

Moon in Gemini 43

· Stand with feet slightly apart. Bring hands together into prayer position in front of your chest. Keep your eyes open during the practice of the asanas. Chant the corresponding mantra loudly.

· Inhaling, gracefully sweep the arms up over your head and gently arch the spine backwards.

· Exhaling and bending from the hips, sweep the arms forward and down so the hands touch the floor close to the feet and the forehead comes in close to the knees. Bend the knees to allow for greater ease in doing this.

. Step the right foot back as far as you can and as you inhale, lift your heart center up.

. Step the left foot back and assume the plank position with spine, neck, and head in a straight line, hands placed directly under your shoulders.

. On the exhale, lower the knees, chest and chin to the floor assuming astanga namaskar. Point the toes.

44 Moon in Gemini

. Inhale, raise the head and chest off the floor by engaging the lower back and gently pushing with your hands. Keeping the elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, come into bhujangāsana.

. Exhaling, push with your hands, raise your hips into the air and back and assume the downward dog pose. Push your heels towards the floor.

. Gently look forward at your hands and step the left foot forward as far as you can, close to the hands. Inhale, lift your heart.

. Step the right foot forward to meet the right hand. Bend your knees if you need, exhale, and bring the head in close to the legs.

. On an inhale, sweep your arms up over your head and gently arch the spine, saluting the Sun.

. Exhale, bring your arms down and your hands back into prayer position in front of your chest.

Moon in Gemini 45

Nithya Yoga is Paramahamsa Nithyananda's unique offering to the world, helping the practitioner to be in the state of yoga every moment. You will find further details on the benefits of Sūrya Namaskār in the book titled: Nithya Yoga - The Ultimate Practice for Body Mind and Being.

46 Moon in Gemini

Remedial Birthstones for Gemini

Green Jade gemstone bracelet

This book comes with a unique energy bead bracelet which beautifully combines semi-precious stones with rudraksa beads- enhancing and radiating the properties of the stones. This bracelet attunes you to the Universe and contributes to destroy sufferings related to negative karmas. It is specially blessed by Nithyananda, the enlightened Master of our times for the fortunate ones who wish to receive the blessings of the Universe! Enlightened Masters are said to be the manifestation of the Cosmic Energy, which radiates through the 9 planets. It empowers you to expand your inner intelligence into Living Enlightenment!

Jyotişa uses different gemstones (also called birthstones) to strengthen each planet's energies.

Gemstones are the finest and purest consolidation of minerals that exists, formed under extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. Stones are crystals of

Moon in Gemini 47

clear and purified minerals that are also found in the human body.

Because of their mineral quality, they are agents of electromagnetic energy, which influences the electromechanical nature of the human body. When a stone is in contact with the skin, it starts working on the physiology and the energy level of the body, as well as the pranic layer of energy.

Green jade represents planet Mercury in the natal chart. It rules over concentration, memory and peace of mind. It influences:

· Concentration

· Calm and balance

. Short and long term memory

· Learning and analytical abilities

Studies

Children

48 Moon in Gemini

. New initiatives

. Gains and maintenances of resources

. Marital bliss

· Provide relief from Intestinal problems, constipation

· Skin or respiratory problems

Hysteria

. Neurological and nerves disorders, impotency, Parkinson disease

· Poisoning of blood, anemia

· Retarded mental or physical growth

Moon in Gemini 49

Rudrākșa Beads

Gemini's Cosmic seed

Today, scientific experiments have verified the intrinsic properties of the rudraksa. These are: dynamic polarity, bioelectricity, and paramagnetic and diamagnetic propertiesall of which effectively control

50 Moon in Gemini

hyperactivity, eliminate stress and bring beneficial effects on body and mind.

Rudrāksa beads are emblems of Lord Śiva, who is believed to be at the very core of the centrifugal force of the universe, representing Brahman or the cosmic Sun: the aspect of creation which continually dissolves to begin a new cycle of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the Universe. Therefore, wearing rudrāksa attunes one with the cosmic energy that destroys karmas and confers spiritual liberation. It cannot have an adverse effect on the wearer because of its auspicious signification and can be worn by anyone, irrespective of his or her moon sign. Rudrākșa beads have immense benefits:

. They protect against negative planetary positions and enforce the positive effects of the birthstone which you wear

· They keep, foster and protect one's own energy

Moon in Gemini 51

· They can tap into energy fields to restore energy in the wearer.

. They stimulate an individual's consciousness and sub-consciousness

. They stimulate the mind, sharpens the intellect, gives power and opens the third eye

. They ensure peace of mind and harmony of relationships

· They help to cure dangerous diseases such as epilepsy, cough, and small pox and heal poisonous wounds

· They actualize Master's blessings into your life

52 Moon in Gemini

Navagraha Pūja

The Navagraha puja is a Vedic prayer which produces tremendous positive energy, and helps everyone to gain courage to face any situation in life.

This ritual traditionally performed for the nine planets, brings solace to the person's mind, and dilutes any negative influences which can be felt during certain period called 'Navagraha dośa'; when the planets are not in proper alignment, influencing the person negatively. Due to these, people fall into depression

Moon in Gemini 53

and certain low moods. This period may last for some time, depending on the power of the planet.

However this can be averted with intelligence. Navagraha pūja is conducted to connect oneself to the cosmic intelligence, to avert any hindrances and to bestow tremendous peace and contentment in life. This puja is a collection of prayers and rituals performed to the planets in the form of deities.

With the blessing of these nine planets, the person is helped to attain good health, prosperity, knowledge and enlightenment.

54 Moon in Gemini

Navagraha Homa

Homa is a fire ritual, and an intense spiritual practice which becomes a powerful meditation technique when performed with devotion. During homa, one invokes the cosmic energy and visualizes it in the fire. Offerings to the planet deity through the fire are made at the same time.

Moon in Gemini 55

Through the mantra chanted and the purification effect of the fire; the body, the space in which the ritual happens and the people attending the prayer are benefited, and the planetary effect decreased.

When this homa is done as a personal spiritual practice, the energy is brought from the nirvanic to the physical layer of the body through all subtle energy layers, healing the person and raising his level of energy- allowing him to transform his destiny.

Navagraha puja and homa services are available in all Nithyananda Vedic Temples throughout USA, and Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashrams throughout India.

Find out your nearest Temple in India on www.nithyananda.org and www.nithyanandavedictemple.org for USA, contact them to have more details if you are interested in benefiting from these services.

56 Moon in Gemini

Mantra for Gemini

Aum hrīm Nityānandāya namaḥ (Om Hreem Nithyanandaya Namaha)

In this mantra, Aum is the primordial sound and is the representation of Siva's energy, the male aspect of the universe. Actually, Aum is the cosmic sound that pervades the grahas, their movements and their effects on us.

The Bija mantra (seed sound), Hrim, has no linguistic meaning but encloses a powerful vibration which attunes you to the primordial energy from which the grahas originate: the female energy, Śakti.

Nithyananda means Eternal Bliss and invokes the truth which is our true nature, and the nature of our own intelligence. It is the pūrņa mūla mantra (the complete mantra) because it represents a straight path to both Śakti (success in this world) and to Śiva (success in the cosmic world) which is 'enlightenment'.

Moon in Gemini 57

Namaḥa means 'I surrender' my ego to Existence, to the Master. Thus this sacred mantra awakens the completeness and fulfillment inside us and balances the male and female energies which exist inside every one of us.

The repetition of this mantra is a powerful technique which can be performed throughout the day as you go about your daily routine. It can also be uttered aloud 108 times every morning. The number 108, which is a multiple of 9, has been sacred since time immemorial. That is because the number 9 is the limit of all numbers: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers. Therefore, 108 symbolizes and connects you to infinity.

Its beautiful sound should be pronounced clearly and as loudly as possible and from the navel region.

Eventually, this mantra will replace your inner chatter and create silence in your mind. Your whole being integrates itself towards enlightenment which leads you out of the dynamic of karma and planetary

effects.

58 Moon in Gemini

Five Techniques for a Gemini Mind

Give up boredom!

Are you feeling bored? If you think too much, naturally, you will be bored. Through thinking, you compare time as past, future and present. Through thinking you can hope. Your thinking will ask for the meaning of it all. If you ask 'What is the meaning of life?' you will give a meaningless answer to it. And when this meaninglessness is felt, one feels bored. Animals are never bored; trees and stones are not bored. They never ask what the purpose of life is, so they never feel it is meaningless. They accept their existence as it is. There is no boredom ever. Man only feels bored. And to counteract boredom laughter is necessary. Laughter is the natural antidote to boredom. Seriousness is the fuel of it. So which will you choose?

Live your devotion

Devotion towards God is the ultimate happening in life; it paves the way to your enlightenment. When

Moon in Gemini 59

your prayer becomes gratitude, you attract more benevolence to you. Real prayer is not reading prayer books, it is not offering material things to god, it is not donating money to temples; it is deep and silent gratitude to the whole of Existence for being what it is. It is the undaunted trust that Existence is taking care. Prayer is a celebration of the benevolence of Existence. When you pray this way, Existence responds. When Existence responds, it comes to you as more benevolence in your life. This is the virtuous cycle of prayer and blessing.

Learn to surrender

Worry and tension come when you think you are the doer. And you get tired soon. But if you shift the sense of ownership to a higher energy and continue to do your work blissfully, you will feel tremendously relaxed! Be very clear, when you surrender to an enlightened Master, you are actually surrendering to one who has no ego, no identity and hence no vested interest of his own. He is one with and overflowing

60 Moon in Gemini

with Existence. By holding his hand, you ask him to take you also to the ocean of bliss he is in. When you surrender to the higher energy, you can never feel drained and exhausted because you are directly connected to the one who is an embodiment of infinite energy. This is the gift of surrender. Become the surrender.

Be Physical

Our problems in life are not speculative. You cannot solve them by thinking only. You can only solve them by feeling them. You can only enter into those experiences of struggles and pain, instead of standing aside and trying to resist it. To integrate your reactions to life, you have to feel them fully, instead of suppressing them pretending everything is alright. The mind thinks it can even find solutions to emotions without feeling them through the body. First you have to feel things, and then you can become a witness of it. Otherwise, you will lose your connection to the physical. You will operate from the head only, and the body will

Moon in Gemini 61

disconnect itself from the mind. Slowly, we have lost our contact with our own presence.

Stop debating!

Spending time arguing for your point of view and then working on healing the situation afterwards is a waste of time. Your very views, your very mind, are just a creation made out of all the samskaras collected through your own life experiences. The person standing in front of you is also a creation of her own experience, which is different from yours. Fortunately, why there is so much diversity in the world is a question without answer! It is not there to be discussed, but there to be enjoyed! Any knowledge that brings you back to the understanding that life has no logic at all is the right knowledge. If people don't understand it, then better not debate with them for some time.

62 Moon in Gemini

Budha (Mercury god) as represented in Tiruvannamalai Ashram (India). Around Mercury stand the other 8 Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets), along with their Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets), to bless all with abundance. The circle of deities is placed around the main deities of the temple, Sri Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari; located near a powerful energy field of 1008 Śiva lingas radiating Śiva's cosmic energy in an extremely auspicious atmosphere.

Moon in Gemini 63

Glossary:

Naksatra: the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time, commonly called as 'birth Star'

Vedic sciences: refer to a number of disciplines found in the Vedas, a large body of texts originating in ancient India, among the oldest sacred texts

Rg Veda: an ancient Indian sacred collection of hymns, counted among the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known as the Vedas

Āryabhata: one of the first astronomer and great mathematician of India, born in 476

Copernicus: (1473-1543) the first astronomer to formulate a heliocentric cosmology, which displaced the Earth from the center of the Universe

Galileo: (1564-1642) Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and important astronomical observations

64 Moon in Gemini

Yojanas: a Vedic measure of distance used in ancient India, between 6 to 15 km (4 and 9 miles)

rsi: a sage through whom the Vedic hymns flowed, a "seer" able to reach states of higher consciousness.

Yogi: a practitioner of various forms of spiritual discipline, as yoga

Paraśara : a Rg Veda Maharishi and author of many ancient Indian texts and important astrological texts, known as a traveling Master

Brhat Paraśara Hora Śastra: a prominent astrological scientific text. It is written as a recorded dialogue between Parashara and his disciple Maitreya.

Vaśișța: Rāma's guru, a great rsi and had complete knowledge of the whole cosmos and the gods

Veda Vyāsa: a sage of ancient India, compiler of the Vedas and great epics like the Māhābhārata

Mahabharata: one of the major Sanskrit epic of India and philosophical scripture, depicting a great war that happened in India; written in 250 000 verses

Moon in Gemini 65

Samskāra: engraved memories, memories stored in the subconscious part of the mind. They are continually interfering with our decision making process

Grahas: energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. They are generally assimilated to 'planets'

Karmas: the collection of unfulfilled experiences and actions that stay in us and constantly pull us to fulfill them

Ayurveda: a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent; ayus, meaning 'life', and veda, meaning 'related to knowledgne' or 'science'

Yoga: literally union, union of the individual self and the divine Self, often taken to mean Hatha yoga, which is one of the components of yogasana, relating to body postures

Rudrākșa: a large broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally revered and used for prayer beads, or

66 Moon in Gemini

mala, mainly growing in foothills of the Himalayas up to South-East Asia

Sanskrit: the Indo-Aryan language, language of the Rg Veda and of many scriptures, as well as mantras

Mantra: a sound, a formula, sometimes a word or set of words, which because of their inherent sounds, have energizing properties, an approach to spiritual evolution

Unclutching: understanding that each thought is completely independent, unconnected to the precedent; which leads to disengage oneself from the mind, resulting in experiencing the no-mind state

Sanskrit: the language of the Rg Veda and of many scriptures, as well as mantras

Priyangu flower: priyangu literally means that which is lovable or charming, herb mentioned in all ancient scriptures of Ayurveda

Moon in Gemini 67

Cakra: literally a 'wheel': refers to energy centers in the mind-body system

Viśuddhi cakra: the fifth cakra, or subtle energy center located in the throat region, locked by comparing ourselves with other

Vişnu: the preserver in the trinity, His incarnations include Krsna, Rāma, etc. in ten incarnations; also means 'all encompassing'

Guru: master, literally one who leads from gu (darkness) to ru (light)

Brahma: the creator; one of the Hindu trinity of supreme gods, the other two being Visnu and Siva

Parvati: consort of Lord Siva, mother to Ganeśa

Lord Siva: rejuvenator in the trinity also means 'causeless auspiciousness'

Sita: consort of Rama, revered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakşmi

68 Moon in Gemini

Rama: hero of the Ramayana epic, one of the two most popular incarnation of Visnu, along with Krsna

Rāmāyaņa: Famous Indian epic

King Janaka : a noble and benevolent king who ruled Mithila; father of princess Sita in the epic Rāmāyana

Vata: one of the three humors (body constitution) of Ayurveda, related to the principle of movement in the mind and body; air element

Rudra : another name of Shiva, denoting his fierce aspect

Prana: life force present in the air we breathe

Dośa: in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the three biological humors or energies (kapha, pitta, vata) which combine in various proportions to determine individual constitution, mental and physical disorders

Vajrāsana: common yoga and meditation posture, where the person sits on his heels

Moon in Gemini 69

Cin mudra: palms upraised with thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched

Guru Puja: form of worship offered to the master

Asana: body postures performed in yoga, literally means 'seat'

Aștānga namaskār. prostrating to a deity or master by lying on the floor with all eight limbs of the body touching the earth

Bhujangasana: 'cobra posture' in yoga, in which the head and chest are raised while lying down

Pranic layer: the second layer of energy of the body, related to prana or life energy

Lord Siva: rejuvenator in the trinity also means 'causeless auspiciousness'

Brahman: the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality, the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe

70 Moon in Gemini

Bija mantra: refers to the single syllable mantra used to invoke certain deities

Pūja: a ritual made of different offerings related to the deity propitiated

Navagraha dośa: literally means 'planetary defects' or inauspicious alignment of planets

Homa: ancestral Vedic fire ritual

Nirvanic layer: seventh subtle body that we have and last layer of energy which is the space where one experiences intense bliss

Physical layer: the gross body made of flesh and bones

Aum: the primordial cosmic sound from which the whole Universe emerged

Śakti: energy, intelligent energy, considered feminine aspect of iva

Jivan Mukti: the state of achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death during one's lifetime

Moon in Gemini 71

About Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Paramahamsa Nithyananda is an enlightened master living amidst us today. With a worldwide movement for meditation and inner bliss, Nithyananda offers solutions for situations as practical as every day stress to the quest for something as profound as enlightenment. He left home at a young age and traveled the length and breadth of India, visiting holy shrines and associating himself with spiritual masters and mystics. He realized his intrinsic knowledge through the paths of meditation, yoga, tantra, knowledge, devotion and other Eastern metaphysical sciences. With an enlightened insight into the core of human nature, Nithyananda has defined his mission for humanity at large. Rooted in the ancient tradition of living enlightenment, and embracing all world religions as sacred and unique, Nithyananda draws people from around the globe, crossing all societal, cultural, language, age and gender barriers.

72 Moon in Gemini

About Nithyananda Mission

Nithyananda Mission is a worldwide movement for spreading meditation and inner bliss. The services provided by the organization include meditation, yoga, corporate leadership programs, free energy healing through the Nithya Spiritual Healing system, free education to youth, promoting art and culture satsangs (spiritual gatherings), free medical camps and eye surgeries, free meals at all ashrams worldwide, a holistic system of education for children through the aśram gurukul and a host of specially designed meditation programs.

Programs Offered by Nithyananda Mission

Inner Awakening

Inner Awakening is a 21-day 'master' program that is intensely transformative. It is designed to reproduce all the components of Jivan Mukti or 'Living Enlightenment' in every individual and brings about

Moon in Gemini 73

an irreversible alchemy of moving from the mundane to the Divine.

Life Bliss Engineering (LBE)

LBE is a 90-day residential program to experience the intense and transformative power of being in an enlightened master's presence. Conducted at the Bengaluru ashram in India, it takes you to the depths of your being through yoga, meditation and a wide range of multifarious activities and helps you to awaken your innate peak potential. It is a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from a living enlightened master, to engineer your very body and mind for enlightened living.

Kalpataru

A one-day meditation program that sows in you the seed of Living Enlightenment. This program empowers you with the energy to align your actions with your intentions so you move with outer world success and inner bliss.

74 Moon in Gemini

Contact Us

USA:

Los Angeles Life Bliss Foundation 9720 Central Avenue, Montclair, CA 91763 USA Ph .: +1 909 625 1400 Email: [email protected], [email protected] URL: www.lifeblissfoundation.org

MALAYSIA:

Kuala Lumpur 14, Jalan Desa Gombak 5, Taman Desa Gombak 53000 KL, MALAYSIA Ph .: +601 78861644 / +601 22350567 Email: [email protected], [email protected] URL: www.mynithyananda.com

Moon in Gemini 75

INDIA:

Bengaluru, Karnataka (Spiritual headquarters and Nithyananda Vedic Temple) Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore Road, Bidadi, Bengaluru - 562 109 Karnataka, INDIA Ph .: +91 97422 03311 / +91 92430 48957 Email: [email protected] URL:www.nithyananda.org

Visit : www.nithyanandagalleria.com www.lifeblissgalleria.com

for more information. E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected]

Over 500 FREE discourses of Nithyananda available at http://www.youtube.com/lifebliss foundation

76 Moon in Gemini

Moon in Gemini 77

"Let you all experience and radiate Jīvan Mukti, Living Enlightenment"

• Paramahamsa Nithyananda

78 Moon in Gemini

NOTES

Moon in Gemini 79

NOTES

II

äu

Ebook ISBN : 979-8-88572-203-2

80 Moon in Gemini