Fall-ing

Ajahn Chah, a prominent monk in the Thai Forest tradition of Buddhism, said that “Nature is always teaching us”. I took a walk the other day to enjoy the fall colors unique to the northeast, and was reminded of this quote.

Living in an area with distinct seasons provides a constant reminder of the ‘regularity’ of change: as much as we enjoy any season, it won’t last forever. The greens of summer gradually fade and change to the brilliant hues of fall. These bodies that we inhabit, which society tells us to enjoy only in their “spring” form, become resplendent in their decay as we age. If we hold on to youth, we miss out on the maturity and wisdom that age bestows. This too, passes in nature. Rain which we so desperately need will wash away the leaves from the trees and herald the coming of winter. One of the daily reflections in the Buddhist tradition is to reflect upon the fact that we are of the nature to get sick, grow old, and die. Not to be morbid or to be preoccupied with death, but to be present for the life that is the present. Right now.

Watching the changes in nature also reminds me to take a step back from any issue which the mind brings up, and look at the greater picture. Leaves, like worries, fall to the ground and take their place in the seasons of life.

I ventured in a new direction on my walk, and was rewarded with the discovery of a small waterfall near my home. There are some great big boulders there that will make great meditation spots, and the sound of the water going over and under the rocks is a soothing background.

So for a time in which travel is limited, my gift to you is a beautiful reminder of change. Take a step back, but don’t fall off the rocks!

For video, click here

Be well and peaceful, dear readers.

Author: mettatsunami

In 2009 I was working full time in medicine, and living a life that was alienated from what I truly valued. While volunteering with a local hospice, I began to wonder: "What would I do differently if I had six months to live?". This began the impetus to change direction. While it has been a case of two steps forward, one step back in many ways, there has still been slow movement in the direction of a more authentic life. Since the pivotal decision to change direction, I have been a Buddhist nun, returned to lay life, changed Buddhist schools, returned to medicine part time, and then full time, quit again, traveled extensively, trained in yoga, spent time in several Buddhist monasteries, and am in the process of how to live according with Buddhist and yogic practice and values, and how to streamline this life into something worthwhile. In the Theravadan Buddhist practice, one of the daily reflections is "Has my practice born fruit with freedom or insight, so that at the end of my life, I need not feel ashamed when questioned by my spiritual companions?". That is my practice. My goal in this blog is to share the journey along the way. View all posts by mettatsunami