The sky has been a powerful source of awe and inspiration for humans for thousands of years. Here’s a unique “sky gazing meditation” you can try to tap into this powerful yourself.
It’s hard not to look up at the sky and be blown away by it.
To live on Earth is incredible, especially on such a tiny planet in an incomprehensibly infinite universe.
When people look up at the sky (or at the ocean), it’s hard not to be struck by an incredible sense of awe – an overwhelming feeling of amazement when witnessing something that is grand and magnificent.
When you look up at that vastness, it’s hard not to feel small and insignificant in comparison. For some people, this can be a source of existential anxiety; and for others, it can be a source of tremendous power.
To feel small compared to the sky is to feel separate from the sky; but when you recognize you are connected to the sky (and the universe), you feel bigger, powerful, and inspired by it.
As the famous Alan Watts quote goes, “We are the universe experiencing itself.” And one of my favorite expressions of this fundamental truth is through the practice of a “Sky Gazing Meditation.”
Here’s how to do it.
Star Gazing Meditation: Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are easy step-by-step instructions for how to practice the “Sky Gazing Meditation.”
- Choose a time of day for your meditation. Morning or night are often the best times, but you can practice sky-gazing at any time of the day.
- Choose a location for your meditation. If you want to make it special, consider going to a park, beach, or hilltop for an extra awe-inspiring view.
- Set a reminder on your phone – make sure you don’t forget to do it!
- When it’s time, go outside to your spot.
- Assume a comfortable meditative posture.
- Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths to soak in the air around you.
- Open your eyes and look outward towards the sky.
- Sit and observe.
- Make a note of your visual observations. What colors do you see? What shapes do you see?
- Contemplate the beauty of the sky. Recognize it is vast beyond concept.
- Contemplate the beauty of consciousness. Recognize it is vast beyond concept.
- Be grateful for your ability to be conscious of the sky and relish in it.
- Recognize that both you and the sky are parts of the larger universe. You are the universe experiencing itself – when you look at the sky, you are the universe looking into a mirror.
- Feel this sense of oneness and rest in this natural, pristine awareness.
- Leave your meditation with this understanding of interconnectedness. Carry it with you!
As Carl Sagan once said, “We’re made of star stuff.”
On a physical level, we are made of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms in our bodies, as well as atoms of all other heavy elements, which were created in previous generations of stars over 4.5 billion years ago.
In a very literal way, we are all made of the same stuff and part of the same “universe” organism.
“Sky gazing” is consider an important meditation practice in certain Zen traditions such as Dzogchen, which focuses its practice on recognizing “the primordial state of ‘pure awareness’ that is present in every conscious being.”
Beautiful skies have a way of shutting your mind off and putting you directly in the present moment. You just sit and observe – and you feel satisfied and content exactly where you are.
In this way, sky-gazing can be healing. Not only can it create positive emotions like joy, awe, or relaxation, it can also provide us with a sense of oneness when we recognize our interconnectedness with it. Not to mention, being outside and looking at the sky gives you a healthy dose of nature, which has also been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Try a “Sky Gazing Meditation” tonight, it only takes 5 minutes!
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