All good experiences in daily life add to the harmony of the brain function: good music, good food, good rest, good environment. Everything which is favorable to life does make life more harmonious.
                                                           Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Welcome back to our Co-Creative Mandalas blog!

Each month, we share insights, inspiration, and all the ways the cycles of the Great Mandala uplift and support you.  We draw upon the metaphors and messages of each season to explore and celebrate our individual and collective journeys toward Freedom.

The Co-Creative Mandalas have a vibration that represents something about the natural world and the energy in the universe at this current time.
 
This month's mandala is Harmony

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

As the Great Mandala rotates through its seasonal cycles, we find our lives shaped by the rhythms it generates.

Are you ready to step into the dance of harmony with the autumnal equinox?

The arrival of the autumnal equinox, on September 22nd or 23rd depending on where you live in the northern hemisphere,  announces a shift in our seasonal energy, bringing balance to our lives through nature's display of harmony.

Autumn is the time for gathering your energy and for allowing your energy to turn inward.

After a busy summer, filled with growth and activity, now's the time to ease up, take a breath, and collect and calm yourself.  By going inward and connecting to your essential self, to the beauty and biorhythms of nature, to the present moment, and to infinite spirit you allow the healing blessings of autumn to fill your life.

Perhaps you experience a sense of serenity, an instinctual need to prepare for the winter ahead. Just as the natural world begins dropping its old leaves to make way for new growth, you, too, might find yourself releasing things in your life. What are you letting go of that no longer serves your spiritual growth?

The most ancient spiritual wisdom was centered around the predictable shifts in seasonal rhythms that govern all of life, including the autumnal equinox. With mindful awareness, we can draw on a multitude of healing blessings inherent to each season of the Great Mandala.

The evolution from summer's vibrant energy to autumn's calm serenity can be likened to the yin yang philosophy. The word "equinox" literally means "equal night." The fall equinox balances light and darkness, yin and yang, masculine and feminine--inviting us to do the same.

The human condition reminds us that it's completely natural to have periods of both stability and challenge, and the fall season invites us to find harmony by accepting these ebbs and flows.

Just like the vernal equinox in the spring, the fall equinox is a time of new beginnings. In the spring, nature's invitation is toward growth and light. Now, we're invited to reflect, rest, and release as we enter a season of increased darkness.

When you're in harmony with the autumnal equinox, you’ll realize that it’s the perfect time to reflect on the intentions you set at the beginning of the year, and the seeds you planted and tended throughout the spring and summer.

Among the characteristics of autumn are releasing and harvesting. The trees surrender their lush greenery, demonstrating the art of letting go. This is the time to reap the rewards of your hard work. Just like farmers who harvest their crops, you can use this as the time to celebrate your accomplishments and gather your personal "crop" of successes. In parallel, I'm witnessing my gardens reward my perseverance with bounty and abundance, as the plants and flowers lose their vibrancy. This poignant moment can provide inspiration to reflect upon what I can release and harvest within myself.

These are both challenging and enlightening times. We have opportunities this fall to explore what we want to harvest, what we want to leave behind, and the intentions we envision for the rest of the year. Life is inviting us to be more aware than ever of what we’re creating with our thoughts and beliefs, and new perspectives on our divine nature are presenting themselves.

I asked the leaf whether it was frightened because it was Autumn and the other leaves were falling.
       The leaf told me... “No. During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree. I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon.’
         That day there was a wind blowing and, after a while, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully, because as it floated it saw itself already there in the tree. It was so happy. I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf because it is not afraid ... it knew nothing can be born and nothing can die.”
        I share this “Leaf Wisdom” story today as I am also contemplating my own progression along this unique & wonderful life path.
                                                                                  Thich Nhat Hanh 

So, are you ready to step into the dance of harmony with the autumnal equinox?

Our practices offer ways of living in harmony. When we bring our practices off the cushion and into the world we are often confronted with difficult and uncomfortable truths in our personal or professional lives and in our society. Whether it's our interpersonal relationships, climate catastrophes or the social, economic and racial injustices surrounding us, by grounding ourselves in the practices of harmony we have the opportunity to experience well-being while meeting life as it is.

Aligning ourselves with nature's ceaseless cycles calls for embracing these experiences, not resisting them. It's essential to transition through this period with grace and adapt our lifestyle to stay in sync with the energy of autumn. Practicing mindfulness, incorporating seasonal foods into our diet, getting an adequate amount of rest, and nurturing our creative and introspective sides can assist in achieving this.

Ahhh, welcome to autumn!

Along with the daily practices, I like to add a little fall fun to my routine.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get my hands on some gourds and arrange them in a cornucopia basket on my dining room table. I’m about to head up to the attic right now to find that basket, dust it off, and fill it with an ornate assortment of gourds. I usually throw some multi-colored leaves into the mix, all haphazard, like a crisp fall breeze just blew through the house.

It's  going to look so seasonal when I bring the fall energy into my environment.

Closer to Halloween, my partner will get to work on carving pumpkins while I'm creating an outdoor display of corn stalks, hay, and carved Jack o' lanterns along with a few different sized pumpkins.

When my guests come over they won't have to guess that it's fall.

Finally, I'll throw on my favorite flannel shirt, change the summer sheets to flannel ones, add an extra blanket,  pull up the quilt that's been neatly stored at the end of the bed and start wearing my flannel nightgown (I'm sensing a L L Bean theme). The house will be filled with the aroma of soups and stews, pumpkin muffins, and mulled cider.

What fall rituals and routines are you looking forward to?

As the season unfolds its rich tapestry, we're reminded of the harmony in the consistent patterns of life: change, balance, release, and harvest. By aligning ourselves with these patterns, we might uncover a deeper understanding of our existence and the role we play in this grand cosmos.

Harmony begins with each person and inspires others as it spreads, uniting all the world’s people to live and thrive in peace and cooperation.

We're meant to live in harmony. I hold that vision and offer service as a way to make world harmony a reality for all of us.

This Co-Creative Mandala, "Harmony", from photographs of phlox (symbolizes harmony), daisy (symbolizes new beginnings), delphinium (symbolizes transitions), and Queen Anne's lace (symbolizes refuge) is associated with the heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. It reminds you when you remember you are already whole and complete--you can acknowledge, honor, and accept the ebb and flow of life. When you're aligned with your true nature, you're free.

Every action I take can contribute to harmony.

Harmony Exercise:
Intention:

The real power of the practice is the intention you place behind it. Start your day with gratitude and by setting the intention that you are dedicating time for self-care, to allowing Harmony and awakening to Freedom.  Create a space in your experience into which a spirit of harmony can emerge.

Achieving harmony in our lives is a continuous journey that requires intention, attention, and practice. By embracing certain rituals and practices, we can cultivate a sense of balance and peace within ourselves and in our surroundings.

The seasonal cycles play a significant role in our daily lives, influencing our moods, energy levels, and overall well-being. By aligning ourselves with the natural rhythms of the Great Mandala, we can enhance our sense of harmony and connection. The fall equinox, in particular, marks a time of balance, as the length of the day equals that of the night. It is a perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the upcoming season.

The Harmony Exercise:
Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this exercise. You can use this exercise throughout the day and the weeks and months ahead.   Remember, as you co-create this exercise, be gentle with yourself as you discover what nurtures and sustains you.

Before you begin the exercise:

There are two parts to this exercise. You'll need paper, pen, pencil, color crayons, colored pencils, and/or a journal. I invite you to write, draw, color, and/or create music that reflects your experiences as you complete each step.

Preparation: Invest time toward moving into stillness.

Create your sacred space. Light a candle. Create an altar that contains items that bring you joy, delight, and peace. Include items that reflect the season--fall leaves, colorful flowers, gourds. Take a few deep breaths to ground & center.

When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your guides and helpers to join you in your sacred space. Wait a moment for that connection and alliance to form.

Part 1: Power of Mandala Meditation
Incorporating mandala meditation into your routine can greatly support your journey towards harmony. Mandalas are sacred geometric patterns that can help focus the mind, induce a sense of calm, and unlock deeper levels of self-awareness.

Step 1: Sit comfortably, read and reflect on the Harmony mandala description and message. Let your gaze fall gently on the mandala. Take a few moments to observe its intricate details and patterns. Then, gently close your eyes and bring the image to your mind's eye. As you visualize the mandala, allow your attention to rest on each shape and color, observing, without judgment,  any thoughts, emotions, or sensations that arise. Use your breath as an anchor, returning to it whenever you find yourself getting distracted.

Step 2: Ask yourself: What message does the mandala have for me? What does it want me to know? How can I incorporate Harmony into the mandala of my life?

Continue this practice for at least 10 minutes, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.

Step 3: Journal about any thoughts, feelings, or insights you have.

Through regular mandala meditation, you will cultivate a sense of inner harmony, clarity, and tranquility.

Part 2: Cultivating Harmony
Step 1 - Gratitude Practice
Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to invite harmony into our lives. Take a few moments to reflect on the blessings and abundance that have come your way so far this year. Write down at least five things you're grateful for, whether it's the support of loved ones, the beauty of nature, or the opportunities you have been given.

Step 2 - Letting Go Ceremony
As the leaves change colors and gracefully fall from the trees, we're reminded of the importance of letting go.

In this step, create a symbolic ceremony to release any burdens, negative thoughts, or attachments that no longer serve you. You can write these down on pieces of paper and burn them, or simply visualize letting go as you take deep breaths and then exhale and release.

Step 3 - Setting Intentions
With a clear space created by your gratitude practice and letting go ceremony, it's time to set your intentions for this new season. Think about what you would like to cultivate in your life, whether it's a deeper sense of self-love, stronger relationships, or a healthier lifestyle. Write these intentions down and keep them somewhere where you can revisit them regularly.

Remember, the fall equinox energy is present for the next few days, so you can practice this exercise each day and then revisit it throughout the next few weeks.

Cultivating harmony in our lives is an ongoing journey that requires nurturing, practice, and dedication. By incorporating rituals like the fall equinox ritual and mandala meditation into your routine, you foster a deeper connection with yourself, your surroundings, and nature's rhythms. Through gratitude, letting go, setting intentions, and embracing the power of mandalas, you can create a harmonious space within and experience greater fulfillment and freedom in your life.

Wishing you the blessings of harmony today and throughout the season.

Let all the barren and dry things in your life that don't matter fall off in the breeze. Stop clinging to what doesn’t work for you anymore. Let it all go.
                                                                                       John Roedel

Welcome back to our Co-Creative Mandalas blog!

Each month, we share insights, inspiration, and all the ways the cycles of the Great Mandala uplift and support you.  We draw upon the metaphors and messages of each season to explore and celebrate our individual and collective journeys toward Unity.

The Co-Creative Mandalas have a name that represents something about the natural world and
the energy of the current time.
 
This month's mandala is Luminosity.

Happy Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere (and Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere). Twice a year when the sun shines directly on the equator there are nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world.

Wherever we are located, Autumn announces itself before it arrives--the daylight hours begin to shorten, the air cools (even when temperatures still feel summer-like), the light angles change. In Colorado where I live, as if on cue, overnight the temperatures dropped nearly 40 degrees and brought welcomed rain to the sun-parched Earth. We notice the changes in our garden, too. After the summer-long burst of growth and production our plants have begun to slow and start forming seeds. The color of leaves are changing from green to orange, gold. and red.

When changes occur in nature, they resonate within our own spirit. Whether you consider yourself a “nature person” or not, you are connected to Earth.  And as such, are affected by the forces and energy in nature–just like trees, just like the gardens, just like all the animals.

Autumn is asking for simplicity in life. As the season changes, the inner and outer energy  changes. Are you noticing that your spirit wants to release and turn inward? I invite you to allow autumn to work in your favor. I believe that when you say goodbye to the things that limit your potential (like trees letting go of their leaves), you open your life to the limitless possibilities within and around you.

The equinoxes are moments of balance on Earth. The earth is literally balanced on its axis, it's leaning neither toward nor away from the sun. As a result,  Earth is flooded with this beautiful energy of balance. Energetically, the autumn equinox is a time of balance and pause, a transitional moment between the bright half of the year and the dark half of the year. This time also brings with it a sense of equilibrium to those parts of your life that need it.

We're at the halfway point on the path of darkening days. This time is a gateway to what is called the dark half of the year (which is the time between the fall and spring equinoxes). The word "equinox"  invokes balance and implies an balancing of the forces of life.  Can you feel the call back into the dark? Right now, it's faint, but it is happening. For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, we're being called back into a slowing down time, to inner reflection. It’s like the slow fade at the end of an old movie.

We're shifting out of a season where so much of our energy has been focused on the outer, Yang-energy in our lives, into a season of introspective Yin-energy. Fall equinox is the beginning of exploring our inner lives; diving into our shadows, exploring our dark spots, letting go of what no longer serves us. Today we experience what Chinese philosophy calls the "valley between the light side and shadow side of the mountain".  In the days ahead, we'll shift more into the dark half of the year; the inward-focused side of the Great Mandala.

From a spiritual, personal growth perspective, autumn is a magical season of transformation, regeneration, and release. Beginning today and throughout the fall, the task is to let go,  let autumn's gorgeous change unfold, and rediscover balance. This is a shift between the extroverted spring/summer seasons, which are all about play, pleasure, and connection, and the introverted fall/winter seasons which is a time for rest, solitude, and reflection.

This time of year always brings me back to an inquiry I often entertain about our light and our shadow.

They are two parts of one whole, of Luminosity. They are the Yin and the Yang of our inner life and outer life. You can't have one without the other. Without darkness you would not even know what light was, everything would be white and so you’d see nothing at all. Without darkness there would be no light.

Through experience, I've come to believe that balancing the light and dark aspects of life is vitally important and is the focal point of my spirituality. Daily, I strive to honor the shadow and the light, and incorporate both light and dark into everything I do. I've also come to understand that darkness is not evil. Life cannot exist without both dark and light. Imagine if it was always daytime and never night; what kind of a life would that be?

In my opinion based just on my experience, we must go within the darkness to see the light, the Luminosity, of our true nature to be in alignment.  We are the physical body and spirit; right and left hemisphere; the masculine and the feminine; Yin and Yang energy.

We are both. You can not see one if you don't acknowledge the existence of the other. Until you fully accept your dark half, you can not see the light. We are the duality that has come here to experience Unity within by integrating both.

Check out this blog post by author and Yoga instructor Julie Peters who offers a wonderful perspective on  The Spiritual Meaning of the Autumn Equinox

Sometimes, this time of year we notice parts of  life that feel out of sorts, funky, wonky,  or down. The equinox can help bring these things back into alignment. Luckily, the autumn equinox comes with nourishing wave of beautiful, balancing energy.  

If you invest some time reflecting on where you need more balance in your life right now, you can draw on the equinox's balancing energy and direct it to those parts of your life that really need it. Take simple steps toward what you want. Don’t push, let the autumn energy speak to you. Listen. Respond. Move forward.

The autumn equinox is one of two days throughout the year when Earth is in perfect balance. That makes it an ideal time to examine balance in our own lives. Below are some powerful questions to ask yourself that help you bring balance into your life. Stay present. Enjoy yourself! Use these questions as journal prompts throughout autumn:

1. Where do things feel out of balance in my life right now? Where do they feel in balance?

2.  How can I bring some balance back into this part of my life? What did I do to foster balance in my life?

3. What's one action item I can start today that would help maintain and/or restore balance to my life?

In Autumn we are drawn, in particular, to the balance between life and death. Everything is dying all around us. And that death is necessary, in order for new life to grow in the spring.

That’s true for the trees and the flowers, and its true for the Self as well. In order to experience new growth, we need to let go of our old leaves–old patterns and habits that no longer serve us.

What are you ready to let go of? What do you need to shed in order for new life to grow?

The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Luminosity", is created from a photograph of a dahlia (the solar symbol of the universe). The colors are related to your solar plexus, heart, third eye, throat, and crown chakras. Dahlias also represent release and healing. This mandala invites us to relax and reflect; notice balance and harmony; and remember your brilliant light within.

It's not about binary but awareness of Oneness riddle. Between two extremes I choose the way in the middle.
                   Ana Claudia Antunes, The Tao Of Physical And Spiritual’

Autumn Luminosity Ritual:
Intention:
The real power of the practice is the intention you place behind it. Start your day with gratitude and by setting the intention that you are dedicating time to self-care, to remembering Luminosity, and awakening to Unity.  This practice is a simple method of helping you to honor both the shadow and the light of Luminosity.    This ritual balances the scales and mirrors nature’s own division of light and shadow, which strike a perfect balance at fall and spring equinoxes.

This ritual also includes a ritual found online at Mabon: A Ritual for Autumn Equinox

Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this ritual. Do all parts of the ritual or as many as you want. You can start and finish on different days. Remember, as you co-create this ritual, be gentle with yourself as you discover what nurtures and sustains you.

Before you begin the ritual: (Please note: These are suggestions for creating sacred space with a Yin/Yang circle. Use whatever stones, flowers, leaves, items that represent autumn, and other light and dark objects you have.)

For creating sacred space, a Yin/Yang circle gather:
• One white or cream candle to represent your light harvest

• A gemstone to represent your light (e.g., selenite, scolecite, clear calcite, quartz, or petalite)

• Palo santo, copal, or white sage for smudging

• One burgundy or black candle to represent your dark harvest

• A gemstone to represent your shadow (e.g., black tourmaline, jet, golden sheen obsidian, or aegirine)

• A perfume or essential oil blend to integrate your light and shadow aspects

There are three parts to this ritual.

Part 1: Invest time toward moving into stillness.

When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your guides and helpers to join you in your sacred practice. Wait a moment for that connection and alliance to form.

Next, invest some time for reflecting on the Luminosity mandala.

Let you gaze fall softly on the mandala. Use one or all of the  following prompts for connecting your energy to the energy of the mandala:

What message does it have for you? What expansive and balanced energy do you want more of in your life?   How will honoring Luminosity support manifesting your vision?  How will you nurture the mandala of your life? How will you practice self-care and self-compassion by welcoming Luminosity into your life? How will you bring your brilliance, your light into the world?

Part 2: (Complete the ritual found at Mabon: A Fall Equinox Ritual)

Part 3: Preparing to let go and release
In Autumn we are drawn, in particular, to the balance between life and death. Everything is dying all around us. And that death is necessary, in order for new life to grow in the spring.

That’s true for the trees and the flowers, and its true for your Self as well. In order to experience new Soul growth, we need to let go of our old leaves–old patterns and habits that no longer serve us.

Use these prompts to journal about releasing and letting go and looking ahead:
•   What am I ready to let go of?
•   What do I need to shed in order for new life to grow?
•   What is one thing I'm looking forward to the most this   autumn?
•   How can I nurture myself during this transition from the light half of the year to the dark half of the year?
•   How do I want this year to close?
•  What are the simple things I want to complete or finalize by year's end?

When your ritual is complete, write a note to yourself and express how proud you are of all the hard work you’ve done this year. Talk to yourself like you would a beloved friend, or your child, and let yourself know how proud you are of all your accomplishments.

I hope this shift in seasonal energy feels balancing, nurturing, and comforting to you.

Remember, as you're going through any transition in your life this autumn, I'm wishing you ease and peace.