It feels like autumn is well and truly here (in Melbourne, Australia) this week. The leaves are magnificent shades of red, orange, yellow and gold, and many are already crunching under foot.
Traditionally autumn is the harvest season. Internally we also harvest and gather energy for the colder months ahead. It is a time of year when we are naturally drawn towards turning inward, and the practice of Svadyaya (self-study, enquiry). This week alongside our yin yoga practice (please find a link below for the video recording*) we are practising 'mindfulness of emotions' (please find a link below for this guided meditation recording**).
I find the following 2 poems particularly helpful when discussing or considering emotions and turning inward.
THE GUEST HOUSE
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
- Rumi -
God help us to
live slowly
To move simply
To look softly
To allow emptiness
To let the Heart create for us.
Amen.
- Leunig -
In TCM it is believed that each season has a corresponding element. Autumn corresponds to the metal element which involves our lung (LU) and large intestine (LI) meridians. The lungs and large intestine are more sensitive during this time which can result in being more vulnerable to respiratory illness and constipation and/or digestive changes. Emotionally it can result in being more susceptible to grief and sadness (lungs) or feelings of being stuck (large intestine). To help nourish our LU and LI it is helpful to practice yin yoga poses involving our arms and opening and contracting our chest and torso.
I wish you all the best with your practice.
Many thanks,
Freya xx
* You can find a recording of this online class "Lung / Large Intestine Nourishing Sequence + Mindfulness of Emotions" to rent in the video library on my website -
** You can find my guided "Mindfulness of Emotions Practice" on Insight Timer (a FREE App) - https://insighttimer.com/freya/guided-meditations/mindfulness-of-emotions-practice
