Yes, we bid farewell to the scorching heat of summer. With that farewell, autumn arrives like an artist’s brush, painting the world in shades of red, orange, and gold. Living in the joy of this season, there lies a profound lesson – the lesson is letting go.
Gently but surely, the trees shed their leaves. Accordingly, nature makes way for renewal. As we witness the cycle of life unfold, autumn can teach us how to release the old. This life lesson demonstrates how we release the old to allow space for new and more beautiful life experiences.
Autumn’s Lesson is “Letting Go”
The Sanskrit word ‘Parinamavada’ is the teaching that ‘everything is in a constant state of flux.’ Meaning change is the one constant in this universe.
In yoga philosophy, the concept of “Aparigraha” means “nonattachment” and “non-greed.” This ancient principle contends that by relinquishing attachments and possessions, we don’t allow the possession to possess us.
As I contemplate and meditate on these two concepts together, I understand how both speak directly to the art of letting go. If we are not attached to things, people, or even outcomes, it makes it much easier to let go when change happens.
And change will happen.
In this way, we are lighter. And when we are lighter, we make room for personal growth, fulfillment, and the true essence of our soul to shine through.
Like leaves that fall from their branches, we can shed the burdens and attachments that no longer serve us. It’s in this act of surrendering we unlock the potential for authentic self-realization and renewal.
Surrendering to Change with Grace
Again, change is the only constant in life. It is a natural part of life. Change is the one experience we all have in common. Change leads to growth and growth is challenging. Just as the trees transition from fullness to bareness in the autumn, we will also have these experiences.
Subsequently, we can choose to resist or we can learn to navigate life’s transitions with grace and equanimity. When we truly understand abundance, we will discover that resistance doesn’t allow flow. If we let go, we no longer swim against the current. And if we no longer swim against the current, we flow and abundance is continual flow.
In yoga practice, this can translate into embracing transitions between asanas (postures) with mindfulness and acceptance. It reminds us that sometimes we need to let go of our resistance to change and trust in the process.
The Exquisite Space From Letting Go
In autumn, nature lets go, but there is also harvest time! By letting go in autumn, nature creates an exquisite space for the harvest. The same principle applies to our lives. When we release old patterns, beliefs, and attachments, we create space for new and more beautiful experiences to fill our hearts.
Yoga and meditation can be powerful tools in this process. Yoga and meditation provide a space for inner reflection, helping us identify and release what no longer serves us. In the emptiness that follows, we often discover the beauty of simplicity and the richness of the present moment.
Immersed in Autumn’s Lesson of Letting Go
As we immerse ourselves in the beauty of autumn, let’s remember the wisdom it imparts. Just as the trees gracefully let go of their leaves, we too can release what holds us back, allowing new and more beautiful experiences to enter our lives. Aparigraha, the art of letting go, is a practice that invites us to surrender, embrace change, and find the beauty in the exquisite space.
So, this autumn, step onto your yoga mat, take a deep breath, and allow the season’s transformation to inspire your own.
Let the falling leaves remind you that sometimes, by letting go, you create space for the most magnificent and bountiful harvest of your life.