Oh sacred season of Autumn....

“O sacred season of Autumn, be my teacher for I wish to learn the virtue of contentment…..’ - Edward Hays

My birthday arrives right before the change of season every Autumn. For many years now I have chosen to honor this turn of the sun by doing something ‘outdoorsy’ as one of my friends calls it and this year was no exception. I was able to slip away for my first cross country travel in three years to celebrate. My destination, the Oregon coast and Portland to visit family that have put down roots there. The actual day of my birthday was forecasted to be rainy so I took advantage of the few days ahead that were going to be spectacular. My husband tends to get up early most days so he took that time to find a few local things for us to do. He did not disappoint in finding experiences as my presents that required no wrapping paper. Mt Hood, the largest mountain in Oregon is quite popular for recreational reasons but mostly just dang beautiful to look at especially at sunrise or sunset. Without me knowing our destination we set off early for one of the best viewing locations, Jonsrud. ‘The viewpoint offers …. expansive views of Mount Hood and the Sandy River Valley, as well as the "Devil's Backbone," a ridge named by pioneers who were traveling on the Barlow Trail.’ I was grateful to simply enjoy the scenery and not need to travel the way of the pioneers.

Labyrinth

Then off to the Oregon Coast following the Umqua River, numerous tree nurseries, vineyards and hops farms. Signs denoting we were in Tsunami prone areas (a tad unnerving) let us know we were getting close to our destination. While my husband golfed, I explored a 10 mile trail that offered breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, colossal sand dunes and a woodland forest. Discovering the labyrinth tucked away in a forest clearing was my favorite part of this hike. Walking a labyrinth is a splendid contemplative walking practice (one I have done many times). This one is my new favorite, a replica of the Labyrinth on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France, ‘a metaphor for our journey through life. It’s path leads toward an inner light, to the center of our self and the center of the sacred; one and the same. It’s direction, at times, is confusing, taking us around, and then back again. Yet, it is through this circular journey of discovery and growth that we reconnect to where we once began.’ Apparently this trail is seldom used so I had the space to myself and had my own ‘collapsing of time’ experience (a feeling that the normal flow of time is compressed into something more compact’), completely immersed in the elemental beauty of my surroundings. The perfect spot to begin my next ‘turn of the sun’ surrounded by the ‘standing ones’, cedar, maple, fir and an occasional sequoia.

Releasing Ritual

Spending a morning on a Pacific Coast beach offered another opportunity for a ‘time standing still’ experience. Written warnings that ‘I should seek higher ground if I feel a shaking sensation’ immediately created a sense of fear and alarm. My nervous system eventually calmed down after sitting for awhile just noticing my surroundings and orienting to this place, a small tributary leading to ocean full of beach stones and tiny currents. The land invited me to create a letting go ritual to enter my new year with less baggage. A small piece of bark became a boat. I blew items I was releasing into some twigs and flowers, placed them in the ‘boat’ and sent them off downstream to reunite with the ocean feeling lighter and calmer.

Morning Altar

Eventually I just began wandering along the shore gathering beach items for my nature mandala I wanted to create in honor of my life journey. Day Schildkret’s Morning Altar wisdom through nature, art and ritual’, guided this process, It’s purpose simply ‘to sanctify something and offer it up to a higher source’. Before I knew it three hours had passed and time had stood still. Day says ‘for hundreds of thousands of years, people all over the world have nourished life through ritualized earth art’. This practice allows one to tangibly and interactively reengage with the ‘greater-than-human world through a sense of wonder, play and reverence.’ We need rituals, way markers, to honor where we have been, maybe grieve something, offer gratitude for any lessons learned and then let it go. A beautiful mindfulness practice to honor the sacred in every day and remember our connection to the natural world. More of this please as I start fresh into this new year.

What Is Essential

Essential and non essential are common phrases but we’ve been hearing them more often for weeks now. With more and more ‘time’ on my hands I’ve been contemplating these expressions more deeply and experientially. What is absolutely necessary and what is not are frequent ponderings. Basic necessities - food, water, shelter, sun, fresh air, sleep, movement, relationships, right work, breathing - essential. Closets full of clothes, 24/7 news, fear, worry, mindless shopping, eating out - not so much. As the world grinds to a halt may be we all begin to see things in a new light. Circumstances that have always been with us such as suffering and disparity are being illuminated.

Since age seventeen I knew I wanted to be a social worker. I have stayed on this helping profession path for over forty years consequently in the service of others for a long time. Now in the time of COVID and everything at a standstill I am giving myself permission to replenish, do less and savor what is essential for me without guilt. Sleeping later, going for long walks with my husband, preparing all my meals and planning my garden are taking on new levels of importance and reverence. Not needing to be productive and not having to be as conscious of time are curious entities. Mid morning today I simply sat outside in the sunshine, was still and watched a carpenter bee buzz around, enjoying my awareness of this delicious moment. How often in our busy lives are we not noticing these simple events that are always happening around us.

I often use the metaphor of putting one’s mask on first as we are taught to do on an airplane when oxygen is lost. For most of us who do too much for others, giving to oneself first can feel awkward and strange at first but, actually are generous and sustainable acts. Self care is not selfish, mean or a luxury and yes, essential. The healthier we are the more we can navigate this marathon we’re in with ease and continuity. As in nature, energy is not wasted unnecessarily and on needless things such as judgement. While we learn to adjust to our ‘new normal’ it’s Ok to pause and regroup. All ‘hearts on deck’ will be needed as those on the front line will need a break and reinforcements brought in to replace them.

One of the first teachings of Yoga is ‘and now the inquiry’. My hope is that we will be in our ‘stay at home’ place long enough to get comfortable with 'this new normal’ and discover what is absolutely necessary for our own wellbeing. For those of us who are working less may we remember the art of non doing and that less is more. May we discover freedom from obligatory and mindless choices on how we use our time. May our inquiry reveal how little we need and the importance of gratitude and appreciation for what we have. May we care for one another from a place of our own fullness rather than from a place of depletion. May we see the present moment in a new light, not taking anything for granted and remembering we have an opportunity to wake up to what is truly essential. And may we finally acknowledge our interconnectedness, what happens to one happens to us all. May our capacity for compassion and gifting grow and expand, not for just what’s happening in the present moment but in the words of Buzz Lightyear (my granddaughter is into Toy Story right now) ‘to infinity and beyond’

Advice from the River

To celebrate Autumn’s arrival I intentionally joined a canoeing/camping excursion offered by Washington Women Outdoors (a local outdoor adventure group for women). On the last morning of summer I awoke on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River (the largest river on the East coast) outside of Harrisburg, PA; with a part Huck Finn, part Peter Pan and the lost boys kind of feeling. After six hours of meandering down this waterway we began searching for our evening real estate. Like Goldlocks tasting her porridge, the first island we came to was too small, the second one was already occupied and the third one was just right. Plenty of room for seven spacious camp sights. Canoes were beached, tents were pitched, campfire was built and the traditional WWO happy hour began. Each of us slowly made our way to our sleeping bags on full bellies, sun warmed skin from our day on the river and muscles pleasantly tired after a day full of physical effort. Sleep came easy. Dawn sun rays poked me awake through my tent screen along with the morning chorus of crickets, tree frogs & the haunting call of a train whistle. A soft river scented breeze began to seep into my bones. My six two legged companions were beginning to stir as well. As poet Wendall Berry says, I was returning to ‘the peace of wild things’.

Leaving my world behind, whether to take a short hike solo or with other women, often can calm my frazzled nervous system like no other medium. As Robert Greenway notes in his contribution to Ecotherapy, Healing With Nature in Mind, many things begin to happen when one enters the wilderness or brings ‘the wilderness mind’ to an outdoor excursion. Physically, the body begins to awaken when tasked with being responsible for whatever might be need during our weekend and while meeting the navigational demands of an unknown waterway with lots of rocks, class 1 or 2 rapids and shallow water. Traveling in a group helps us remember our tribal nature. ‘Exercises of mutual caring and of developing trust in the sharing of camp duties, cooking and eating food together all arouse this tribal consciousness.’ - 1 Sitting around a crackling fire naturally connects us with our ancestors, a sense of gratitude for it’s warmth and light along with a sense of “We’ve been here before’. Finally, rivers are a natural place of balance that we can align with when the senses are opened to her gifts.

One of my favorite shows of the 1990’s was called Northern Exposure. In this comedy-drama series, Native American wisdom and seasonal rituals were often featured. One of the most beloved characters was ‘Chris in the morning’, part time radio DJ, philosopher & artist. In one episode a variety of random personal items were going missing ie hair dryers, blenders, etc. Finally, Chris was caught in the act or stealing a car radio and confessed without any resistance stating, ‘sometimes you just have to do something bad to know you’re alive. My take on this is sometimes you just have to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone & provides an appropriate challenge (within ones’s skill set) to remember the feeling of being alive.

Maybe going camping or spending time on a river is not your thing, however, a nature prescription is available to everyone of us. Whether just stepping into one’s own back yard for a few minutes in the morning, sitting next to a plant on a windowsill or visiting a favorite park for a long walk these simple choices can reconnect us to the more than human world and most importantly to ourselves. The best part, it’s free. Spend some time this autumn remembering this important relationship and enjoy Ilan Shamir’s:

Advice from a River

Go with the flow-~immerse yourself in nature

Slow down and meander~Go around the obstacles

Be thoughtful of those downstream~stay current

The beauty is in the journey!

1 edited by Buzzell, Linda and Chalquist, Craig, Ecotherapy, Healing With nature in Mind,2009, Sierra Club Books

Mind, Body & Nature

This past weekend I led two different Mindful Outdoor Experiences, one on a mountain, the other by a river. Both creating space for participants to pause, breathe with intention and experience present moment awareness through the senses. Research continues to support what we already know and because of what nature writer Mary Reynolds Thompson says “the ancient Earth-consciousness that resides within you-within us all-that you can access any time, in any place, even in the midst of the busiest city….four billion years of Earth wisdom are embedded in your cells.” Participants say these excursions allowed them to notice how often we are distracted and how to come back to the present moment; that being outside and gardening (although a wonderful experience) feels different than just ‘being’ in nature and not even realizing how much time outdoors is needed for rebalancing and realligning the psyche and the soul.

Last fall I graduated from Kripalu’s newest School of learning, Mindful Outdoor Leadership. “This training—which combines forest bathing, yoga, Ayurveda, outdoor skills, and an overview of relevant research on nature’s health benefits….. is designed for those who are called to share nature’s gifts by integrating their love of the outdoors with mindfulness.” Meaningful connection with the generative powers of nature is an essential part of a healthy and balanced life. With the average American now spending about eleven hours a day on screens and ninety percent of our time indoors our health is suffering. I now humbly call myself a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide, trained by the knowledgeable Kripalu faculty who are a ‘dedicated group of earth stewards, environmental protectors, and nature lovers deeply committed to sharing with you the wondrous gifts of Mother Earth.’

Recently, I read an article, Ice Wisdom, The Ice is Speaking, about the effects of climate change. As long ago as 1963, two young Eskimo-Kalaallit men ‘noticed that water was coming out of the Big Ice way up the wall. When they returned and told the Elders of that strange phenomenon – no one believed them. How could water move, when the temperature has been less than minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22 ºF) for about three months. Later that winter other Elders went hunting and upon returning confirmed that water was trickling out of the Big Ice at the Big Wall. That became the first sign that something was amiss – not at home – but in the world.’ We can no longer ignore what is happening with our planet. For many years now I have been offering therapy and programs that include nature as a co-therapist. Consistantly, attendees have found their participation meaningful, informative and healing. I must confess, these offerings help me as well. The work I do and how I live my life must mirror my intention for this planet I call home; it must be sustainable, efficient and regenerative.

For more information on joining one of my next mindful outdoor events or bringing my services to your group or organization please contact me at www.livingbalanced.org. Although studies continue to document the numerous health benefits of time in nature; come see for yourself how being with the living earth and the more than human world can calm the nervous system, quiet the mind and sooth the spirit. See you on the path.

Sunday Morning Musings: What has yoga done for you lately

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings are precious in my house as they are leisurely, slow and unstructured. On sunny mornings my yellow walls and oak table turn my kitchen into a sanctuary. Usually there is nothing on my calendar allowing for a leisurely breakfast with my beloved, a savored cup of java (one of my adored vises I will be taking a break from during my upcoming spring detox) and to peruse the Sunday paper. Most of the time my optimistic outlook is unphased by the headlines but today my mindset took a turn toward despair with headlines such as ‘Death toll at 50 in mosque attacks in New Zealand’, “Do-or-Die decision for the Chesapeake Bay’ and ‘Depression rising for the young’. Where has our concern for ourselves and our planet gone, my entire life efforts dedicated to healing, does it make a difference?

‘When despair for the world grows in me’ as Wendell Berry so elegantly describes in his poem ‘The Peace of Wild Things’, a simple stroll to my favorite spot in nature usually does the trick. Most likely a nature connection moment will happen later, but for now off to a yoga class I go. Sometimes the call to be with other like minded souls is stronger then the pull of nature. The soothing sound of the teacher’s voice, the soft music in the background and the slow cadence of our collective breathing allows me to ‘come in the peace of wild things’ and ‘come into the presence of still water’. Even after seventeen years of practicing this ancient art of self care, savasana still allows me to experience ‘For a time to rest in the grace of the world, and am free’. That is what yoga did for me today. What has yoga done for you lately.