How to ease into the delight of winter
The change of season happened so sharply this year that it totally threw me off guard. The thing is we’re still in autumn, this time is supposed to be a transitional season from the playfulness of summer into the delight of winter. So how can we navigate this time?
Invisible threads of animal, human and plant rhythms
There is an invisible intelligence that unseeingly controls the delicate processes in all physical life on earth. Birds know when to fly south. Bears know when to hibernate. Nature knows when to bloom, procreate and play, and when to furl inwards.
This beautiful rhythm flows in perfect harmony as we slide in and out of the seasons. It’s stunning to witness. And it’s not just the animals and plant life, it’s humans too.
We are in tune with the seasons just as much, we’ve just forgotten. In our push and strive culture which has been deeply embedded for generations, we ignore the natural rhythms. We impede, block and disrupt the natural cycle of things. We want to stay up later, work harder. We believe rest is for the weak, that it’s feeble to slow down and restore.
It’s so ingrained in our way of being that we know longer realise it’s there.
Which is why, as soon as we take a break, go away on holiday, or pause for just a moment, our bodies collapse in on themselves. In this small moment of respite our inner intelligence takes advantage and sees an opportunity to repair.
Letting go of ego’s fear of stillness
Often, this comes as a form of detoxification, a flu-like response of mucus, discharge, phlegm and fever, all purposely designed by nature to dispel and discharge toxic cellular debris from the body.
And it’s not just physical debris, it’s emotional and energetic debris too. When we’re busy, our waters are frantic and muddied, making it impossible to see, often on purpose. When we pause, those waters become still, allowing emotional stress to rise to the surface. We can see with complete clarity all that bothers us.
This makes for uncomfortable viewing.
Of course, we try to block the symptoms and carry on. We cannot even contemplate the idea of resting; our lives are far too busy and frantic. Yet, here’s the thing. We like to be busy because when we’re busy our ego feels important. When we’re busy we feel wanted, needed, purposeful.
But, it’s all a distraction. Our busyness only serves to feed the ego’s self-importance. If we’re not being seen, wanted or needed, who are we and where does our importance go?
This is the question we like to avoid.
If we stopped and allowed ourselves to just melt backwards into existence, remembering that the world can, and will, carry on without us, we might relish in the chance to rest and repair, knowing it’s needed and necessary.
This is a message we all need reminding of, especially at a time when the cold kicks in and our bodies click into the rhythm of this season. We’re not even conscious of it happening, it just does, and we need to adapt our lifestyles accordingly to allow a smooth and gentle transition as we descend into winter.
Fall to the ground like the leaves do
Grounding is of particular importance. Look at the leaves falling to the earth, this is also the pattern we need to follow.
There are so many beautiful ways to do this and my favourite is through nurturing, warm food. Meals don’t need to be heavy, just grounding. Stews, soup, root vegetables and grains are all perfect for this time of year. Incorporating those warming spices such as ginger, cardamom and cinnamon all serve to soothe the body at this time.
When it gets cold, I find it becomes easy to forget to drink water. We are electrical beings and our bodies need water to function. If we don’t have enough, we become sluggish and tired. If possible, gravitate towards warm water, especially ayurvedic herbal teas. Cold water cools the fiery nature of the stomach, inhibiting digestion and causing digestive discomfort.
We can also majorly dip in energy because of poor lymphatic circulation.
Unlike in summer, where we hop around going to and fro like social butterflies, as soon as it gets cold and dark, we stop moving, sometimes quite literally gluing ourselves to the sofa. So, to enervate ourselves we need to move. Whether it’s a grounding practice like yoga or another form of movement outside, we have to get our lymph circulating and doing its job.
Autumn is just such a divinely beautiful time to appreciate nature so if you have the time to be outside, go, as often as you can.
Slow it down but don’t stop completely
Another easy way to slide into the new season is to adjust the lights.
Sudden darkness can be a jolt to the system in quite an unpleasant way. We therefore need to soothe our nervous systems as much as we can. The easiest way to do this, especially with the shorter days, is to dim the lights. Use candlelight, adjust laptop lighting, avoid harsh overhead lights, go for warm bulbs rather than cool white.
Autumn is soft, made up of warm yellows, reds and oranges, so follow the pattern and change the lights accordingly.
It’s all too easy, with less sunlight and daylight hours, to feel a little gloomier and downcast. While tender loving care on a spiritual, emotional and physical level is never needed more than at this time, it doesn’t mean slowing down to a state of stopping completely and stagnating. Just go gentle.
Slow the pace and allow more time for the things that truly nourish you on those all-important levels, but keep moving, being, doing and living life joyously and purposefully. Keeping the fire of your Dharma alive is as important than ever.
The system likes to keep us in a state of doom and gloom about the winter, like it’s something fearful to dread, an ordeal that we put ourselves through yearly. It’s not. It’s a stunning season full of vitality and colour, if you look for it. Don’t fall for the programming, it’s as beautiful a season as the rest.
Just remember, if your intention is to dread winter, you will. If your intention is to love winter, you will. It’s completely up to you.
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