The Sacred 108 | iHanuman

iHanuman

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The Sacred 108

This weekend some of you may consider practicing 108 Sun Salutations to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox or to support the Global Mala Project, but have you ever stopped to think why it must be repeated 108 times? What's so significant about the number 108? Well...a lot of things!
108 is a sacred number found in many different religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, to name a few.  The malas we use when reciting mantra contain 108 beads, much like the Catholic rosary.  We practice 108 Sun Salutations at the Spring and Fall equinox to mark the changing of the seasons. The number 108 is all around us, all of the time.
There are many theories as to the significance of this sacred number.  For starters, it is said that there is a convergence of 108 energy lines at the heart center, Anahata, making our hearts a prominent source of life, love and energy. Some believe that 108 represents the mathematical relationship between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Others see correlation to the 108 marmas (energy channels) in the body. And still others will say it's the 54 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet times two, representing the male and female engeries-Shiva and Shakti.  There are a plethora of resources out there on this subject so I encourage you to check it out and decide for yourself!
Whatever you believe, reciting mantra or practicing sun salutations 108 times in a row provides a focus for meditation and intention for practice. I read somewhere once that to form a habit you must do something 16-21 times in a row before it sticks. Imagine, chanting a mantra 108 times or gracefully moving through 108 sun salutes with attention on every breath...what a great habit creating experience that would be!
I wish you all a beautiful weekend and happy Fall Equinox. May your 108 sun salutations be light and free and may you have all the love, joy, and laughter in your hearts and homes.
Namaste... :)

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