Son Salutation

one light, one son



 The earth revolved around the sun 24 times, today marks Canaan's 24th birthday. Canaan illuminates my life and the sun illuminates all life. I fell in love when he was born and was introduced to whom my mom referred to as, "my new friend". I am grateful to have spent the early years together. Yes; to care, feed, teach, clothe, and play and also; to have the history of just being together- sharing each other's presence, sharing breath. There's not one particular time or age, just ordinary days and months that swiftly became years to form our history, our bond. Today, we continue listening and sharing. Our bond evolves and grows.  I cherish the early days as a first time mom when we would exchange gazes and non-verbal gestures that communicated volumes. Learning and growing together; still learning, still growing. 

sun, surya

Varanasi, India on the Ganges River at sunrise- walking meditation at first light as our sangha descends down a well worn path into our narrow wooden rowboat.  As the sun rose, I began to grasp the sun's deep meaning to the people who have greeted it's magnificence here for thousands of years. We rely upon the sun to survive. Fire, earth, water, air- all a vital part of our existence. How often do I acknowledge the elements that sustain life? All life depends upon the sun but everyday I zoom-in on my minutiae and rarely look up to notice its brilliance and life sustaining energy. Do I appreciate nature and the elements that sustain me, for one inhalation and exhalation, each day?   

salutation, namaskar, namaste

I celebrate my son and celebrate the sun that quietly illuminates and sustains life and light for our planet and solar system. As I celebrate Canaan's continuation, he is my warm messenger; to remember to appreciate the sun for its precious light and warmth, to take a deep bow every now and then that emanates from my heart, surya namaskar, sun salutation. -Deeply and profoundly appreciating the earth, water, air, fire-to remember mother earth, mother nature, oneness. -A greeting at dawn, a simple and reverent way to begin. The people living near the sacred Ganges were a beautiful reminder to appreciate the sun for without it we would cease to exist. We are interconnected and share in its life-sustaining qualities every moment, in darkness and in light. 

one light, one sun, one sun lighting everyone
one world turning, one world turns for everyone... -raffi

 Canaan 2 years