Letting Go in the Autumn

Each year the natural world elegantly lets go of what is no longer needed. The leaves that served the tree all year are released effortlessly to make way for the next cycle of rebirth. The beauty of this cycle lives not just in the trees but also in you.

In Chinese medicine, Autumn is the time of the metal element. When the leaves begin to fall, we may find ourselves reflecting on the year as it begins to come to a close. We may even begin to feel some grief as we move further away from the warmth of the sun. This is a normal emotion for this time of year. In fact, by reflecting on the impermanence of all things, we can allow the grief in and remember that life is a precious miracle. Here are 3 tips to align with this season and to help yourself move into it with more ease:

Spend more time in nature.

By connecting with the naturalness of change, we can find some peace as we navigate our own discomfort with it. We may also feel inspired by the intense beauty of this season, Nature’s palette at this time, and the expansiveness of the great big sky, call us to feel the awe and privilege of simply being alive.

Let go of the clutter.

Just as the colon, one of the organs associated with the fall in Chinese Medicine, releases that which we no longer need, now is the time to get rid of those things that you don’t use. A general rule is if you haven’t needed it in a year, let it go. Notice the peace and spaciousness that arises when you lighten your load.

Try some Qi Gong.

As I mentioned, the element of the fall in the Chinese Medical System is Metal. YouTube has some great links to Qi Gong masters, just search Metal Element Qi-Gong. These simple mindful movements can open the lung (the other organ of the autumn) and colon channels. With just a few minutes of practice each day, you can boost immunity, encourage proper digestion and lift your mood to feel more of the inspiration that is all around us in the beauty of this season.

Allow yourself time to connect with this season. In western culture, we often don’t give ourselves permission to contemplate the end of things, we tend to want to be in the anticipation or manifesting phases of life. It’s important to acknowledge that everything, even ourselves, will one day be gone.. When we do so, the preciousness of this moment, this breath, this life comes into focus.