Munishwarji:
Fall Back / Spring Forward

On this past Sunday, November 6, at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time ended in the United States and we set our clocks back one hour returning to Standard Time.

This yearly ritual reminded me that autumn is in full swing and that when our glorious Mother Gaia goes through seasonal changes, so do all of the Creatures Great and Small that she holds in her vast limitless bosom. In Ecclesiastes, it is said, "For everything their is a season, and a time for everything under the heavens." It is important that we remain "in tune" with the Seasons of Mother Earth; otherwise, we may feel like we are swimming "up stream" in our daily lives. In other words, the seasons are giving us a message­­— profound guidance about how to live a more harmonious life. Notice how God’s Creatures — the squirrels, the birds, and the trees — listen and "go with the flow" of Nature as if their life depends on it. Actually, many of them would not survive the coming winter unless they took time to get ready during fall. What if our mental and emotional health depended on following Nature's guidance? Perhaps it does.

Autumn is a cycle of preparation for the winter period of hibernation — a period when we go within for deep healing, renewal, meditation and contemplation. The maple tree embodies the spirit of autumn. As the seasons change, the maple begins to withdraw her sap into her core, letting go and shedding her leaves with a brilliant display of color — a sign of thankfulness to Nature for all she has received. Fall is an excellent time for each of us to let go of old belief systems, withholds, and ways of being that no longer serve us — giving thanks for the lessons they have taught us and shedding them with gratitude like the Maple Tree. In letting go of our unneeded baggage, we prepare the way for the delightful coming Winter Wonderland just around the corner — allowing our period of Winter hibernation to be freer and lighter. We are all Travelers on the Path of Consciousness, and as Travelers, our Journey is most enjoyable when we travel lightly — with as few encumbrances as possible. Here's a wonderful exercise for releasing and letting go of things that no longer serve you to allow your journey to be lighter. I call it, "Fall Back — Spring Forward."

1. Go outside where you can be near (or even better, sit under) a colorful tree that is in the process of shedding its leaves. If you do not have such a tree nearby, then visualize such a tree with your eyes closed.

2. Observe the tree. Notice that tree doesn't DO anything. The tree sheds its leaves easily, effortlessly and naturally. The tree simply stands majestically and allows Nature to take Her course.

3. Close your eyes and imagine that you are the tree. Ask the tree to teach you. Imagine the tree's consciousness descending upon your consciousness. Feel the strength, serenity and wisdom of the tree.

4. Visualize the many branches of your life (work, home life, spiritual community, etc.) and your leaves — the things in your life that no longer serve you. Feel the temperature of Mother Earth become cooler; as that happens, feel the sap in your veins automatically contract — withdrawing the "life force energy" from the" leaves" — the issues you have been feeding. As the life force energy withdraws from the leaves into your core, feel the leaves transform into brilliant displays of color expressing your gratitude for the lessons they have taught you. As the life force energy withdraws even more from the leaves, feel the life force energy in your core become stronger and more integral. Feel a deep sense of peacefulness within as the leaves begin one by one to Fall Back to Mother Earth.

5. Feel Mother Earth lovingly accept each of the leaves. Feel Her absorb each leaf — turning it into soil — into healing energy that will nurture and nourish your roots through the coming winter. As you receive this nourishment, feel that your Journey is Lighter, empowering you to Spring Forward in life. Give thanks to Mother Earth and send your love to Her.

I invite you to share your own experiences with this exercise. Use the Ask a Messenger feature on this page to share your insights with me.

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