Fall in the Northern United States is a MAGICAL experience. It’s foreshadowing, it’s colorful, and it’s mysterious.

I use the word Magical because it is! Although, magic is a funny word. Sometimes evoking a feeling of silliness or make-believe and other times a sense of mystery and a chance for exploration.  This Autumn, I challenge you to see the magic of this time of year with the eyes of a yogi. It may feel silly, but if you see this with the eyes of someone who knows they are creating their reality, the insight and discoveries will be well worth it. 

A yogi knows we may *think* we are separate from the seasons...but, we actually are arising with them. 

NATURE MEDITATION FOR AUTUMN:
-Duration: 20+ minutes

Go out into a more secluded park, trail, or forest area 1 day each week .

*I recommend walking for part of this meditation as the fall of your footsteps heightens the effects.*

Come into your space fully. Hear the songs of life preparing for the decent into winter.  Smell the scents of the leaves decaying as they nourish the earth under our beautiful forests. Hear the falling leaves as the space seems to grow with each new naked branch. Bring a drink that makes you feel cozy and hydrated. Sip on the drink with full attention to the smells and taste. Look for animals, insects, and signs of animals. Appreciate that they are with you in this space and send them love and kindness.

Try to stay in this observant role with the present moment for as long as possible. Keep going through your senses if you feel your mind start to ruminate.

• At the end of the meditation repeat the mantra “SoHum” a few times. So Hum means “I am that”. This is meant to invoke that feeling of oneness with the nature we are apart of. 

Ways to Bring this sense of connectedness you cultivated into your week:

• Purchase and Eat local seasonal foods. A quick google can tell you which foods these are. Make sure you add your location to the inquiry. Try to make as many meals as possible with these foods.
• Make a local forest animal friend (a squirrel who received a few acorns you found on a walk, a skunk who can live under your shed for the winter, a possum who gets to sneak past you without you “noticing” them... so on.
• Create art with natural materials you find on your walks. This can be as simple as a picture frame from sticks to a mural with leaves.
• Bring a friend and share this meditation with them so they too, can feel that connection again.