Embracing Change: A Guided Autumn Meditation

The seasons are changing,

Seemingly endless summer is squeezing out its last bit of warmth.

It's like a final goodbye kiss,

It's bittersweet,

Sensing both the excitement for a new season with its bright colours and the nostalgia of the departure of a friend.

I've been getting to know more intimately.

The air feels more crisp and the light is different,

Not sure in what way,

But different.

Nature is exhaling after giving its all for many months.

It's time to move into a more restful and contemplative state.

And as these natural cycles occur by themselves,

Sometimes we can notice ourselves resisting this change,

Both clinging and pushing away,

Feeling like it or we should be different.

So I want to invite you to close your eyes and bring something to mind that is changing for you right now.

And maybe it's something you have chosen,

Maybe something that was or is outside of your control.

And can you sense how this change in your life feels in your body at this moment?

Can you notice some part of you that is having difficulties with what is going on?

And really try not to judge whatever is coming up.

We often have these thoughts that we should not feel a certain way or think a certain way,

Dismissing and rejecting what is present in us.

Sometimes we can both feel joy for the new and grief for what is or will be lost.

What if we can embody the humble exhale of autumn after the summer months,

Just accepting what was and what is and trust in what's ahead.

See if you could sense your breath clearing away all the worries,

The tension,

The resistance to what is happening,

Like the wind helping the trees to let go of their leaves.

And see if you can let yourself surrender to this process with trust,

A little bit more with every exhale.

How does this feel in your body?

You see our resistance is not slowing down the process.

If anything,

It's becoming more uncomfortable as we are stretching and tearing while we try to hold on.

And change is a natural part of our lives.

We can let fear tell us we are not ready or that life is unkind,

Or we can try to be like the tree in autumn,

Gently releasing its leaves with the passing wind in all its beautiful colors.

And you can now take your time to gently open your eyes and maybe move and stretch your body a little bit.

And when you go about your day,

I want to invite you to keep the image in mind of the tree,

Both firmly rooted in the ground,

But also willing and able to let go of its leaves when it's time.

Let this be a reminder of your resilience to the cycles of life.