The Autumnal Equinox is behind us. Days seem shorter as the night creeps into day.

School has resumed. Hours are filled with projects and deadlines and rehearsals, practice, and homework. Fewer daylight hours make the time feel cramped and tight, like pants that no longer fit. Yang rages. Yin comes.

This season of darkness signals a shift. This is a time to look inward, a time to decide what to do with the things, relationships, occupations nearest to us. A time to ask and discover, what still fits?

With cooler temperatures and night coming soon, we will spend more time indoors. We may change into more seasonal clothing. We may crave different foods, drinks, diversions.

Look around you; in what condition is your home, pantry, closet?

In what state are your relationships, activities, fitness?

In what condition are you to travel around the sun once more?

Have you sat still long enough to notice?

 

This is today’s Monday Meditation. Keep a journal nearby.

  1. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
  2. Find a comfortable place.
  3. Settle in. Take a five deep breaths. Count up to 4 for the inhale. Pause. Count down from 4 for the exhale. Notice how your body begins to relax and settl.
  4. Imagine a scene from nature. You walk along a path. Large rocks soar above and along the path. As you stroll, notice large trees reaching toward the blue, cloudless sky above you. The tree branches resemble fingers stretching toward the light. Leaves the size of plates, colored amber, persimmon, burgundy, and light green, drift sleepily around you. Your feet step peacefully among the fallen leaves. A light breeze caresses your face.
  5. Imagine yourself as a tree, solid and regal. You slowly lose your leaves. What does each leaf represent? What burdens do you shed? What unnecessary things fall easily away?
  6. Witness the leaves and what they represent with no judgment. Note if some of the leaves cause you distress or anxiety. Observe your feelings without blame or guilt. Let your spirit guide the process instead of allowing your mind to dictate what or how things should be. If you feel agitated as certain thoughts come up, return to your breath counting by four on the inhale and exhale.
  7. After the timer goes off, imagine returning to your body.  You walk along the path, peacefully, enjoying the stroll.
  8. Become aware of your surroundings. Slowly open your eyes.

When you emerge from the meditation, pick up your journal and write for a page. What came up for you? What did some of the leaves represent? Unfulfilling relationships? A stale job? Wishes for more? Increased fitness?

Write down the things that came up for you. We will continue to explore this shedding.

 

Until next time,

do well

be well

 

xoxo

Lucila