The delicate and auspicious nature of autumn's onset does not negate the reality that change is often difficult for us to handle. It seems just as we get into one comfort zone or another, we are asked to move again. Indeed, our tendency to become attached to our routines and the various emotions that settle into each stage of life, whether they are peaceful times or turbulent ones, can hinder us from seeing and understanding that change is a natural component of the flow and rhythm that is essential to our existence and especially our growth. In order to reach our full potential, we must accept this reality and learn to make transitions with grace. Ultimately, we need to take a step back and see our lives unfolding within the bigger picture. As is evident all around us, regardless of how extreme some conditions may be in the moment, nature returns to balance. And so it is with us. Learning to appreciate times of transition is part of the archetypal model for Skillful Living.

If you think more about it, you will see that nature gives us a chance to practice every three months or so. Indeed, there is more to the transitioning into a new season like fall than just the weather. Moving with nature's cycles and rhythms helps us develop a sense of security, self-possession and wellbeing. While we may pine the longer days of summer, we understand that they will be back. However, in contrast to what many of us do by counting the days until the vernal sun returns, the trees make use of this time to let go of the old, rest and recover completely before they reach back up to the sky. We would be wise to do the same and to dwell in peace as the days shorten and the earth begins to get quiet.

Many struggle to identify these rhythms and unnaturally attempt to control the course of time. And they spend, perhaps exhaust, a lot of their energy doing so. On the surface they may feel that they are in charge of their journey, but the course is far from certain and many get lost along the way, or at least, miss the forest for the trees. Think of people you know who complain about nature. What do they wish for? We cannot change the natural cadences of nature and it is without benefit to try.

Just as nature is overflowing with curves, corners, knots, and unexpected changes in direction, so too will our lives be filled with unpredictable twists and turns. While you may find yourself briefly on the straight and narrow path, there is sure to be a sudden curve up ahead. The journey of life does not always deliver you directly to your goals, but it will definitely bring you closer to yourself and to happiness. Since fall is often considered a time of letting go, perhaps this is a good time to let go of any resistance you have to nature and to dance to its music.

Please share your thoughts...  

First, take a minute and think about when you left for college and how difficult it might have been for

you. Unless you didn't particularly enjoy high school, for most of us, that was a particularly exciting

time; and by the end of those years the emerging freedoms associated with adulthood were pitted against the hard feelings of leaving our lifelong childhood friends-a comfort zone buoyed by our families and the old neighborhood. If you put yourself back into that mindset, you realize that your fears then were unfounded, as you eventually made it to a far greater place. Yet, at the time, this was hard to see and made it hard to leave.

• The next SunRaven Group Juice Fast will be an 8-day program that will run from September 30 - Oct 8th. It coincides with the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and actually concludes with the break fast at the end of Yom Kippur itself. For more information send an email to michael@sunraven.org.

• There is also a 4-day SunRaven Group Juice Fast that will take place from December 1-5thand focus on the letting go that is so important during the fall season and helps us to stay in balance through the holidays.  For couples that chose to do the program, there will be a special' program component during this retreat as well. For more information send an email to michael@sunraven.org.

• Mark your calendar for a special musical event at SunRaven: Please join us as we welcome Japanese Musician and artist Yuji Nara as he performs his music as an offering to SunRaven. Nara uses instruments from Asia, Africa and South America in non-traditional improvisational pieces based on indigenous peoples worldwide. Nara was featured in the documentary film "Gaia Symphony Number 6" released in Japan which originally aired in 2007. He loves to share his music with groups and people, he volunteers performances to local schools and organizations for the aged, disabled and disadvantaged. He has also performed in Shinto shrines and temples worldwide. He will be joined with spiritual dancer and healer Maki Aoyagi. This is an event not to be missed. Saturday October 1 at 7:00PM  

• The next SunRaven Dream Group will convene next week, on Tuesday October 4th. The SunRaven Dream Group helps us better understand our dreams with 'dream expert,' Warren Falcon. For more information visit the SunRaven website or email: michael@sunraven.org.

• The inaugural meeting of the SunRaven Men's Group will be taking place on Monday, October 17th at 7:30PM. The SunRaven Men's group aims to restore peace of mind and balance so that we thrive, not just manage to get by. For more information visit the SunRaven website. 

Links

1. For more information on SunRaven, Dr. Finkelstein's holistic health center in Bedford, NY, please visit http://www.sunraven.org/
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3. To comment on this letter, please visit The Skillful Living Blog  
4. Skillful Living Room http://www.businesstalkradio.net/weekend_host/tslr.shtml