Harvest Moon
by Dr Mao Shing Ni
In the Taoist Integral Way tradition, each full moon holds special spiritual significance as it reflects peaking of nature’s cycle of yin and yang energies. As the moon represents yin, feminine and fertility it signifies a special time each month for cultivating one’s Jing or essence which, in Chinese medicine is at the root of one’s life that governs health and longevity. The robustness and refinement of one’s Jing serves not merely to extend one’s lifespan but also provide a strong foundation upon which spiritual enlightenment may be achieved.
The harvest full moon, in particular, is important because it coincides with the autumnal equinox harvest. Therefore, the first practice is to honor the Earth which represents mother and the nurturance of yin or our material existence and give thanks for the bountiful crops and blessings received.
Practice: go out into nature or your garden, plant your bare feet into earth, respectfully bow to the south three times and then say aloud the following:
"Dear divine mother of earth and father of heaven, we give thanks to your benevolence and generosity in providing material sustenance as well as both visible and invisible blessings in our lives. With one hundred salutations, please accept my gratitude and faithfulness in your omnipresent, enduring and generative powers.
Conclude by performing three more salutations followed by three respectful bows.
The second practice is to harvest the lunar energy and bathe your entire being with the light of the full moon.
On the night of the harvest full moon, which in 2023 falls on September 29, go outside after sundown and preferably under the full moon. If you are not able to see the moon due to it being obscured by buildings or clouds, you can instead visualize the light of the full moon. Stand and gaze up at the moon, respectfully bow to the north three times. Inhale through your mouth to “drink up” the light of the moon, swallow and then exhale through your nose. Feel the energy of the moon permeating throughout your entire being. Repeat eleven more times for a total of twelve repetitions.
Conclude by respectfully bowing to the north three times.
The moon also represents one’s emotion, the hun or soul and love. Besides natural calamities, most suffering in peoples’ lives are due to their negative emotional reactions. These upsets disturb the hun—soul that becomes active at night after you’ve fallen asleep and reveal through your dreams all your hurts and traumas. Finally, when we love in a narrow way—possessive, jealous and conditional not only do we suffer but we also make others suffer too.
The third practice is to cultivate inner peace, humility and universal love. I strongly recommend that you read my father’s book: Moonlight in the Dark Night. By connecting with and expressing the positive manifestations of the lunar energy, you shall realize, “The pearl of the mind is like moonlight on the water…”, bringing into your life clarity, peace and vitality.
In summary, the harvest full moon holds spiritual significance in the Integral Way tradition as a time of balance, completion and gratitude. It is an opportunity for each of us to connect with nature, cultivate inner harmony and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives.
The harvest full moon, in particular, is important because it coincides with the autumnal equinox harvest. Therefore, the first practice is to honor the Earth which represents mother and the nurturance of yin or our material existence and give thanks for the bountiful crops and blessings received.
Practice: go out into nature or your garden, plant your bare feet into earth, respectfully bow to the south three times and then say aloud the following:
"Dear divine mother of earth and father of heaven, we give thanks to your benevolence and generosity in providing material sustenance as well as both visible and invisible blessings in our lives. With one hundred salutations, please accept my gratitude and faithfulness in your omnipresent, enduring and generative powers.
Conclude by performing three more salutations followed by three respectful bows.
The second practice is to harvest the lunar energy and bathe your entire being with the light of the full moon.
On the night of the harvest full moon, which in 2023 falls on September 29, go outside after sundown and preferably under the full moon. If you are not able to see the moon due to it being obscured by buildings or clouds, you can instead visualize the light of the full moon. Stand and gaze up at the moon, respectfully bow to the north three times. Inhale through your mouth to “drink up” the light of the moon, swallow and then exhale through your nose. Feel the energy of the moon permeating throughout your entire being. Repeat eleven more times for a total of twelve repetitions.
Conclude by respectfully bowing to the north three times.
The moon also represents one’s emotion, the hun or soul and love. Besides natural calamities, most suffering in peoples’ lives are due to their negative emotional reactions. These upsets disturb the hun—soul that becomes active at night after you’ve fallen asleep and reveal through your dreams all your hurts and traumas. Finally, when we love in a narrow way—possessive, jealous and conditional not only do we suffer but we also make others suffer too.
The third practice is to cultivate inner peace, humility and universal love. I strongly recommend that you read my father’s book: Moonlight in the Dark Night. By connecting with and expressing the positive manifestations of the lunar energy, you shall realize, “The pearl of the mind is like moonlight on the water…”, bringing into your life clarity, peace and vitality.
In summary, the harvest full moon holds spiritual significance in the Integral Way tradition as a time of balance, completion and gratitude. It is an opportunity for each of us to connect with nature, cultivate inner harmony and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives.