Night of the Naga
Image by Thaifold ChiangMai
Happy Loi Krathong!! 🇺🇸🙏🏾🇹🇭 “Loi” means to float. ”Krathong” is what we use to float our wishes on down the stream toward the mythical Nagas (sacred water serpents) by candlelight, traditionally made from banana leaves. We honor the spirit of water on this day, releasing any stagnation (grudges, anger, regrets, etc) we’re holding onto in our minds and bodies so that we can allow gratitude, joy, and peace to flow into our lives. Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, thus the exact date of the festival changes every year. In the Western calendar this usually falls in the month of November according to professor Wikipedia, so this year it falls on November 22, the same day as Thanksgiving!
Today is also when my sun sign #Gemini is in full moon. 🌕 While I enviously look at epic photos of people releasing paper lanterns into Chiang Mai skies or lotus candles into Phuket canals, I am so grateful that the Thai temple serves as a place to bring a piece of the motherland to Tongva land, even if traditions are recreated in watermelon shaped kiddie pools along the chilly foothills of the San Gabriel mountains to mimic a pond. #buddhistonabudget 😆
One indigenous Tonvga elder came to our full moon yoga and meditation today and shared gratitude over the similarities between Buddhism and his native traditions he is passing on that are rooted in forgiveness and compassion, beginning with oneself. 🌿If you are struggling with anger, sadness, or any feelings of discomfort that are robbing you of joy, go to the water as if returning to the womb. Cry it out, practice being held by her embrace with the moon as your witness, cleanse yourself free of any self-blame and speak words of kindness to the ocean within you so that you can allow those frequencies to ripple out as waves to those around you who could use a splash of hope. 💦 What beliefs will you transmute today? What are the wishes you will whisper to the moon so that you can float into streams of possibility? I’ll start...
I’m releasing the believe that I need to be in the motherland to learn my ancestors ways. Everything they have to teach is already within me.
The Naga King Mucalinda sheltering the Buddha. Source: The illustrated life of the Lord Buddha!
