The number 108 is known as a sacred number. It is considered the most auspicious of numbers & been revered thousands of years in many spiritual traditions.
According to Buddhism there are 108 defilements, 108 earthly temptations, prayer beads have 108 mala beads. The Buddha has 108 names & 108 lamps devoted to him. Most Buddhist temples have 108 steps & 108 columns. Angkor Wat is a great example built around 108 huge stones.
Tibetians have 108 sacred books & believe there are 108 sins & 108 delusions of the mind. Tibetian legends are made of 108 Masters & 108 initiates.
In both Buddhism & Hinduism it is believed that there are 108 different feelings: 36 associated with the past, 36 with the present & 36 with the future.
108 is also significant within our solar system: the distance between the moon & earth is 108 x diameter of the moon, whilst the distance between the earth & the sun is 108 x the diameter of the sun.
In Astrology there are 12 zodiacs & 9 planets: 12 x 9 = 108.
108 is said to represent oneness, wholeness, unity.
In numerology 1 represents new beginnings & higher truth; 0 represents nothingness & completeness & amplifies the energies of the other 2 numbers; 8 represents eternity. Adding them all up gives us the number 9 which is regarded as being a highly spiritual number.
In nature, the Fibonacci sequence is related to the golden ration, representing 108 ways of representing the wholeness of existence. It governs the dimensions of everything from the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Nautilus seashell & is called nature’s code or nature’s universal rule.
The Sarsen Circle Stonehenge is 108 feet in diameter.
In yoga the number 108 refers to spiritual completion; there are 108 mala beads for mantra recitation; sun salutations are often completed in 9 rounds of 12 poses or 108 in total; pranayama can be practiced no more than 108 rounds. It’s said that there are 108 nadi’s converging at the heart chakra. In Ayurveda it’s believed there are 108 Marmas.
This is why often yoga practices include 108 sun salutations to harness the energy of the Summer Solstice.
The Summer Solstice falls on the day when the sun is highest in the sky. It’s the longest day & shortest night. The sun’s potency is said to be at highest on this day & as such it a s time of powerful healing.
International Yoga Day also falls on this day this year. It has been celebrated for 10 years after the UN proclaimed 21st June as International Day. The theme for this year is harmony.
Please join me for Summer Solstice Yoga LIVE on Zoom on Wed 21st June at 6pm. This class is FREE. To sign-up just click the link: https://mailchi.mp/2eff5b848158/summer-solstice-free-practice
