When the Sun, Moon and Earth are in one line, there is a different cosmic energy pattern that happens and it is called “Eclipse”. It is a celestial phenomenon. This time is very good for meditation and chanting.
The mind is connected with the moon, the body is connected with the Earth and the Sun is connected with both. The time when all three come in alignment is good for spiritual practices. It is not a good time to eat, or indulge in pleasures. It is a good time to conserve energy. So, from the ancient times it is said that you should not eat during the eclipse, and you should meditate.
Eclipse is a very good time for mantra chanting and meditation. Chanting mantras at the time of eclipse is much more powerful. This is the ancient saying.
One or two hours before an eclipse, stop eating so that the food gets digested well and during the eclipse time you have an empty stomach, and on empty stomach chanting and mantras are done for maximum result.
Eclipse is a very auspicious time for saadhaks; it is not a bad time. It is a bad time for enjoyment and for pleasures. And when you chant 108 times during this period it is equivalent to 10,000 times or more! So meditation and chanting are highly recommended during this period.
When we are in activity, our mind is always focused in the front of the body. Close your eyes now, you’ll feel your mind is in front because the mind goes through the eyes to look at the world, and through the ears. During activity the mind is mostly focused in the frontal part of the body. For relaxing, we take our mind to the background. You will see suddenly there is something different happening. This is necessary, from time to time.