New Moon Meditation and Full Moon Meditation: What to Do on Each Day

Every month brings two days on which the pull between the Earth and the Moon reaches its peak, the new moon and the full moon, and on both the mind turns inward with far less effort. New moon meditation and full moon meditation go deeper than a sitting on an ordinary day, because existence itself brims with divine energy on both.

Why Does the Moon Affect Meditation?

The mind is like the moon, since both wax and wane. The position of the moon has a definite impact on the mental state, and the surroundings of a seeker play upon the inner nature. On new moon day and on full moon day, the cosmic attraction between the Earth and the Moon reaches its peak, which favours sadhana. Meditation on these two polarities, and on eclipse days as well, takes a seeker into the no-mind state very easily.

What Makes New Moon Day Right for Meditation?

On new moon day, Amavasya, the sky shows no moon, yet the moon has not gone anywhere. Awareness behaves in the same way: it lasts after the ego dissolves, as the moon abides while hidden from sight.

Existence brims with divine energy on this day, so remaining aware comes more naturally; a subtle quietness settles within, and it grows slightly easier to withdraw from the stream of thoughts. New moon day signifies a new beginning, and the waxing moon that follows symbolises growth; Mahavira, the Jain Tirthankara, attained Nirvana and moksha on a new moon day.

New moon day is among the best days for chakra meditation, especially at the Ajna and Sahasrara chakras. On ordinary days, a yogi works against gravity to carry the Kundalini Shakti upwards, whereas on this day the climb through the chakras, from the lowest to the highest, turns seamless for a seeker initiated by a Guru's grace.

New moon day also connects a seeker to forefathers and ancestors, and Pithru Tarpan is offered for them on Amavasya in sacred places such as Varanasi, Gaya, Badrinath and Muktinath.

What Makes Full Moon Day Right for Meditation?

Full moon day raises the attraction between the Earth and the Moon far above its ordinary level, and a sitting on this day yields very high results. A meditator feels vast cosmic energy pouring down into the body through the Sahasrara chakra, and the bliss runs so deep that coming out of the sitting becomes an uphill task. Existence functions at its full peak, so the inner voyage unfolds gracefully.

Many saints attained enlightenment on full moon days. Gautama Buddha was born on a full moon day, reached enlightenment on one, gave his first sermon on one and entered Parinirvana on one, a day celebrated each year as Buddha Poornima.

Devotion fills the day as well: many temples in South India hold special abishekam, pooja, aarthi and chariot processions, and at Thiruvannamalai lakhs of devotees walk barefoot around the holy hill in Girivalam.

How Should the Space and Body Be Prepared?

Choose a clean, undisturbed room and set the atmosphere with incense, a lamp, scented candles or fresh flowers if they are at hand, and place a blanket, cushion or mat under the seat so the body does not rest on the bare floor. At work or in a public place, create stillness within instead.

Sit at ease with a naturally straight spine, the hands resting loosely or gently locked and the eyes softly shut. Release any strain from the body and the face. Pause for a few moments of thanks to forefathers, God and the Ishta Devata, then picture a soft blue light flowing down from above, filling the room and then the whole being, and let everything grow quiet.

How Is the Sitting Done?

Breathe in deeply, drop the shoulders and let the body loosen. There is no goal to reach, so become receptive and free of judgement. Rest the awareness at the Ajna chakra between the eyebrows without concentrating, since meditation is total relaxation. Welcome the thoughts and feelings that arise, resist none of them, engage with none of them and watch as a silent witness. Whenever attention drifts, bring it back gently to the Ajna centre.

Sit for fifteen to thirty minutes, and ease into a new position slowly whenever the posture grows uncomfortable, taking care not to break the meditative state.

On new moon day, extend the sitting a little and practise self-inquiry by watching how the mind moves, without controlling or suppressing it. The longer the watching continues, the more plainly the ego's habits and the identities worn unknowingly for years come into view.

The same sitting serves on full moon day.

How Should the Sitting End?

Leave the eyes closed for a while after the meditation reaches its natural end. Stay still, notice the silence and let gratitude rise. Then offer prayers mentally: first for humanity's welfare, then for parents and family, then for friends and loved ones, then for all living beings, and last of all for oneself. Open the eyes slowly while still aware, and take the stillness along into the rest of the day.

Can Someone Who Does Not Meditate Benefit From These Days?

Anyone who has never meditated can close their eyes on a full/new moon day and sit in silent prayer, which brings the benefit of the day as well.

Does Meditation Fall Short on Other Days of the Month?

No muhurat decides the success of meditation. As HH Guruji Sundar says, "Meditation is a passage through which you arrive at yourself." New moon day and full moon day lend the passage extra support, yet what it truly needs is faith in Guru and God, honesty in sadhana and above all, love. Meditate whenever the inner calling arises, at three in the morning or at midnight, and let the practice continue in rain and sunshine alike.

Key Takeaway

The moon waxes and wanes like the mind, and on new moon day and full moon day the attraction between the Earth and the Moon peaks, which makes both days favourable for meditation. Prepare a clean space, sit with the spine naturally straight, keep the awareness at the Ajna chakra without concentrating, remain a silent witness and close the sitting with prayer for others and last for oneself. Spend extra time in self-inquiry on new moon day, and sit the same way on full moon day. Honesty in sadhana and love are what a sitting needs on every other day as well.

FAQs

What is the best time for meditation on new moon day? Meditate whenever the inner calling arises, because no muhurat decides the success of a sitting. New moon day itself is among the best days for meditation and chakra practice, especially at the Ajna and Sahasrara chakras.

Is meditation on full moon day worthwhile? Full moon day is very good for meditation. The attraction between the Earth and the Moon rises far above its ordinary level, cosmic energy descends through the Sahasrara chakra, and the sail into the inner space turns graceful.

How long should a new moon or full moon meditation last? Sit for fifteen to thirty minutes with the awareness at the Ajna chakra, and add some extra time on new moon day for self-inquiry.

What do devotees do on full moon day? Many temples hold abishekam, pooja and aarthi that day, and lakhs of devotees walk the holy hill at Thiruvannamalai in Girivalam.

Can someone new to meditation sit on new moon or full moon day? The same sitting serves everyone: a clean room, a comfortable seat, awareness at the Ajna chakra and no concentration. Anyone who has never meditated can also sit in silent prayer on full moon day.

Why does Amavasya meditation connect a seeker to ancestors? The day itself carries the connection to forefathers, and Pithru Tarpan is offered for them in places such as Varanasi, Gaya, Badrinath and Muktinath. Gratitude to forefathers also belongs at the start of every sitting.

Does a seeker lose out when these days pass without a sitting? No muhurat decides the success of meditation. Faith in Guru and God, honesty in sadhana and above all, love are what the practice needs on every day of the month.