Pumpkin patches, apple cider, morning frost, and vibrant colors usher in the fall.  October brings shared conversations over steaming mugs, strolls through parkways, and warm cable cardigans. The last hints of summer begin to ebb away as the ground prepares to turn inward, hibernating into itself in preparation for a new birth next spring. Fall is a wonderful time for a psychological inward turning, looking to gently examine what we value, what is in balance and what we need to alter. As I write this, with a delicious mug of chocolate nearby, and geese creating a cacophony in the nearby pond, I welcome what the season will bring.  Creating inner space for the sanctuary from which we will live our lives for the next six to seven months before spring peaks through again allows us to live our lives in rhythm.

We don't need to be a monk, an isolative writer, or a formal retreat-goer to experience this sanctuary. Creating intimacy with our deeper selves and connecting with our source of abundance, love, gratitude, beauty and strength deepens our capacity to live our lives fully and to be of service to others. Fra Angelico, a famous early renaissance artist and friar, who meditatively painted frescoes in Italy, used to say that "he who practiced the art of painting had need of quiet, and should live without cares or anxious thoughts" (Georgio Vasari).  We all are artists of our lives, carrying with us our own studios, and the palettes which we use to enter into the dance of life. With quiet, intentionality and a willingness to listen from within, we can discover, generate, and re-connect with the peace and contentment that is always present. Whether we're in a long line waiting to pick-up our children, raking leaves, or completing work projects, in each and every moment we can access our internal sanctuary. The task is where we put our attention and intention because whatever we focus on expands. Therefore, if strife is present in the home, or individuals frequently roar when a firm, but gentle request is all that is needed -- radiate the harmony you wish to embrace. If you want more beauty in your home and are repelled at what needs to be fixed, focus on what is already beautiful and expand upon that. If you frequently feel you don't have time to care for yourself, then look for ways that caring occurs (comfortable home, food, access to a computer)). Fortunately, none of us needs studios nestled in the deep woods, generous patrons, or galleries waiting to show our works. Each day, we share what we have and that has a ripple effect on the lives of all of those around us. Fall provides us with an opportunity to look within and discover what we wish to give birth to in the spring. "There is a time and season for everything under the sun." 

 

         As much as we love and honor the light, great richness is found when we go into the darkness. Divinity, great love and wisdom can be found therein.  Wholeness requires that we go deeply into our inner world and find our connection with the Cosmic Mother.  The Earth has treasures of healing to bestow upon us when we enter the darkness.
         Many years ago I learned from Matthew Fox, author of Original Blessing (and several other wise books), founder of Center for Creation Spirituality, that "any form of spirituality that does not include the darkness is a fake spirituality."  Truly, dark and light are meant to be the partnership which the cycle of day followed by night could remind us of continuously if we did not have a cultural prejudice about the darkness.  Going within has rarely been encouraged in western civilization and at what cost! Indigenous peoples honored the darkness -- Yin, the Feminine Principle - in ways that modern world forgot. The dark road, one of the roads to wholeness, has been ignored and this has caused a massive disembodiment in our culture. Experiencing our own emotions is not possible if we are not embodied. Descending into our bodies, our own personal plot of earthiness, is what this season in particular calls for.
         Our psyche and our body longs for us to drink in the energy of the Earth and let it move through us.  We are not to hold on or hoard this Yin energy, but let it flow in and out, doing its healing work as we invite it into our body.  Where tension is present we are hoarding the energy. LET GO of it. Holding on, hoarding energy, is hazardous to our health - mental and physical.
           Recently I attended a weekend workshop led by Reginald Ray, PhD, author of Touching Enlightment (2008) and SoundsTrue CD's on "Meditating With the Body.". From Reggie I learned a 10 point meditation.
           To experience this, lie down on your back (I recommend you put a nice eye pillow over your eyes to darken and protect you for a few moments from the outer world. Notice how soothing this feels). Now bend your knees and put your hands on your lower abdomen. (It is extremely helpful and comfortable to tie a cloth belt around your bent legs just above your knees during this process). With your knees together place your feet comfortably apart -- several inches.. Now slowly focus on 10 points: each foot, the two sides of your derriere (delicate French word for butt), the mid-back, the two shoulder blades, the two elbows and the head as you let go of tension. Simply feel the earth under you. Absorb the earth into each of the 10 points. Feel each sensation that arises within your body. Notice the feeling of your clothes or whatever is making contact with your body. Stay with this process of feeling your body and noticing any emotions that arise for as long as you like knowing that Mother Earth is loving you, healing you, blessing you.   
         

Nancy S.B. Ging, LCSW, is a holistic psychotherapist, poet, author, columnist, teacher and consultant.  She has been in private practice in Hinsdale since 1981 and also at Clarus Center since 2006.  www.nancyging.com