For Everything There is a Season

     You may, these days, out of the corner of your eye catch glimpses of color as you notice the trees beginning to drop a few tired leaves as they prepare for seasonal change. If you know me personally, Autumn is most positively my favorite time of year, hands down. 
     This year, there is so very much change. I am ever so blessed to be welcoming two grandsons this November.....10 days apart. It is going to be busy, miraculous, and preparations underway, as well as some concerns to be sure the mommies stay healthy. A health scare for one, and some ensuing craziness has left me feeling a bit ungrounded-as much as I practice mindfulness, and some anxiety that all is well as I wait to meet them. I am blown away by the almost cosmic timing, and the fact that my family genetically births girls, and bam- we now have boys! The birth of my book, has also happened and it is an amazing time. 
     I have also had a few health issues of my own, which have changed my practice, and while frustrating, these challenges are my teachers at the moment-but my personal practice has been transmuted, and changed. It has enabled me to find my roots again, and much like the trees, change with the season by gracefully accepting and letting go of what is no longer of service. 
     But, this IS the practice-to be able to come back to the roots of my practice to help me stay present in these times of change, growth,  and uncertainty.  To find acceptance with grace. Even writing my blog fell to the wayside for some time, and I am making it a practice to come back to and allow my thoughts to become words. 
     So, I offer you, dear readers, what is called in Yogic tradition a "Bhavana", or intention of the heart in the form of a meditative offering, with suggestions for a practice to follow. My hope for you, is that you allow change to  happen and let go of any expectation and revel in  the changes in your own season. 
      Allow yourself to find a comfortable seat, perhaps closing the eyes. Focus your awareness to the Root Chakra, where you connect to the Earth. Draw the breath up as though you were a tree taking nourishment, and send the breath back to the ground and feel the strength of the connection. spend a moment or so, just noticing.  Let the hands rest upon the knees, palms up, thumb, ring, and pinky fingers connected with peace fingers extended in Prana Mudra. Draw and assimilate the energy of change. And then listen....allow the senses to slowly reach out beyond your physical parameters. Notice the scents, sounds, and feel of change all around you. Feel a shifting in the energies around you, and as you breathe, notice with awareness how you are in the moment. Looking within and see yourself releasing those tired leaves in life that no longer serve, so that you can move ahead with grace and ease into a new season of life.  Affirming " I let go so that I can grow anew, I draw strength from my roots."
                             May your life be as colorful as the Autumn leaves
     
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