The Season of Fall

Fall has arrived. For me, it's the time of year when the rapid growth and hectic pace of summer begin to ease. Trees showcase stunning red, orange, and yellow leaves that eventually fall to the ground. Migrating birds head south, and animals like squirrels gather nuts and seeds. The emergence of fungi and autumn flowers such as asters and goldenrods, along with cooler temperatures and shorter, dimmer days, defines the season. The air also carries the crisp scent of damp soil, and seeds like acorns and maple "helicopters" drop from the trees.

For me, fall is a season that encourages reflection and inner inquiry. As the pace of life slows down, I find more time for contemplation and introspection. It's a time to take stock of what may be needed for the coming winter. In our parents' and grandparents' time, this meant ensuring food preservation through canning or curing, and making sure there was a good supply of food and wood for the winter. Today, our modern way of life may not require these preparations, but the spirit of fall still invites us to reflect and prepare for the changes ahead.

Let's take a moment to discuss the natural cycle of life, using a berry bush as an analogy. In the spring, as the sun warms the earth, small leaves emerge from the bush's stalk and stems. These leaves continue to grow, followed by flowers on the branches. Bees pollinate these flowers, which then transform into berries. These berries provide nourishment for numerous people, animals, and insects. In the fall, as the cold slows the flow of nutrients to the branches, the leaves begin to fall from the bushes. The fallen leaves offer excellent cover for smaller insects and animals and serve as protection and compost for the tree roots during winter. Each season follows a natural rhythm and harmony to sustain the life cycle. Now that we've had a brief lesson in botany, let's explore the potential similarities we might share with the natural world.

Take a moment to reflect on your physical energy this season. Have you noticed that you are more tired or have slowed your pace? Perhaps it's due to less light. As I was walking the other day, appreciating the change of colours of the leaves, marveling at the intelligence and beauty of nature, I also noticed leaves falling. It made me inquire within. Are there things I need to let fall to the ground, to drop, to let go of?

A technique I want to share with you is letting nature be your mirror. Take a walk in nature, a park, a forest along the river, or on the street, if that is all that's available. Bring yourself fully to your senses, taking in the sights, smells, sounds, and physical sensations, and be as fully present as possible. Notice what you notice, is it telling you anything? For example, I was walking with a friend, and she noticed a small garden snake in the grass. She said she had been seeing a lot of snakes lately. I asked her what snake means to her. She replied that they shed their skins. She said she felt like she was going through a shedding transformation, too.

One technique I want to share with you is using nature as your mirror. Go for a walk in nature, whether it's a park, a forest by the river, or even just along the street if that's all you have access to. Immerse yourself in your senses, absorbing the sights, smells, sounds, and physical sensations, and strive to be as present as possible. Pay attention to what you observe—does it convey anything to you? For instance, I was walking with a friend who noticed a small garden snake in the grass. She mentioned she had been seeing many snakes lately. I asked her what snakes symbolize to her. She responded that they shed their skins and expressed that she felt she was undergoing a similar shedding transformation.

Reflecting on the leaves falling from the tree and their symbolism for me, it's about releasing what no longer benefits me. If you're hesitant to let go of something—be it a habit, a friend, or a job—remember that these leaves descend to the ground and serve as nourishing covers for our roots. Let's also recognize the wisdom of the root system beneath us in the soil. Trees, fungi, and plants are intertwined and interconnected, supporting each other in the system known as life. We are similar to that. As Thích Nhất Hạnh famously said, 'To be is to interbe,' we do not exist in isolation; we are interconnected with everything else. We are not as separate and alone as society might have led us to believe. We are part of a beautiful, interconnected web of life.

More offerings:

I will be offering online guided meditation twice a week once in the morning and once in the evening, hoping to meet folks schedules. The focus of these meditation will be deepening relation to self and surroundings via sense perception. Learning to soften and expand into a place of Balanced Being.

You will be able to register for the courses on my scheduling page and or email me and I will send a link. On the workshop page therein a waitlist where you can add your name to get information about future workshop's I will be offering. .