Astronomy & Movement
And He is the One Who created the day and the night, the sun and the moon – each travelling in an orbit.
Surah Al-Anbya 21:33
The Quran holds layers of mystic knowledge about the celestial world. This verse was revealed long before science discovered the sun, moon, and planets moving in precise orbits. What can this teach us about wellness and spirituality?
From a soul perspective, we can be inspired by the idea that every individual has their own orbit. From the moment God whispered your path into your soul before you arrived on Earth, through the searching and unfolding of your journey, and ultimately your return to Him, this is your orbit. Your role is to keep moving within it.
From a physical perspective, circular movement has profound effects on both body and spirit. Bāguà circle walking is a gentle Chinese practice in which one moves slowly in a circle, allowing breath and steps to flow together, calming the mind and balancing energy. Similarly, the Sufi practice of whirling connects the seeker from Earth to heaven, tuning the body to a universal flow.
This sacred geometry appears in Islam as well. Walking around the Kaaba in a circular motion mirrors how everything in creation moves around its Source, a reminder that God is the axis of our lives.
On an inner level, a hidden orbit exists within us. Every cell, every atom is like a planet, moving in its own cycle. The breath is one of the most sacred orbiting cycles, refreshing our system, allowing us to rest and return, and access our greater life orbit.
“Dance to the Rhythm of the Universe”
Deena Fadel
Today, reflect on how all the planets move, circulating in continuous motion.
Take a walk and choose a circular path if possible, around a block, a garden, or any space that is accessible to you.
Contemplate on how life moves as we move in the simplest ways.
If you feel drawn to it, allow your body to whirl slowly, following its own rhythm.
Finally, close your eyes, take a deep breath in and a gentle breath out, and imagine the circular motion flowing within you.
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Know that all will return to its origin. The heart, the essence, has to be awakened, made alive, to find its way back to its divine origin. It has to hear the call. One has to find the one through whom the call will come, the true teacher.”
The Secret of Secrets – Hadrat ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
