The change of seasons is a lesson on impermanence, grasping, and aversion. I’m a green-season person even though I have an autumn birthday and am grateful to live in a region where there is sunshine all year. In this conundrum, mindfulness helps me practice with emotions, thoughts, and sensations conjured up by the change of seasons. I notice the grasping and aversion felt in my body as churning in the stomach and heaviness of the heart. I understand that these feelings are uncomfortable, even depressing. I allow myself to explore the sadness when fall is giving way to winter and remind myself in a moment of wisdom that this is a predictable journey of life and death which is temporary and will in a few months transition again to the seasons of rebirth. I try to make friends with my emotions using self-compassion, reminding myself that the flowers and green leaves WILL return. Apple crisp and pumpkin pie are delicious. Wood burning in the fireplace is cozy and all is well at this moment. It’s the cycle of life.

The family meditation in this episode is done outdoors on a hike or where ever we can find an area to be among trees. We keep our eyes open and can choose to either sit or lie down for this practice. 

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