Autumn, nourishing our soul
I love autumn, is probably my favourite season. After the activity and long summer days, we have the opportunity to enjoy early evenings, fireplace and time to gather together with our loved ones. Even my body talks to me and asks me to slow down, to cook more nourishing food and to take more time for myself. I like to see this season as a chance for transformation, introspection, and letting go, offering me the perfect opportunity to nourish my soul.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is governed by the metal element, which represents the lungs and the large intestine, the balance from our respiratory health to our ability to let go and grieve properly. During this season I also like to look into the Hinduism principles of Aparigraha, or detachment, which guides us to release what no longer serves us, as well as Brahmacharya which essence lies in moderating one’s energy by controlling desires and attachments, ultimately fostering a state of higher consciousness and inner peace.
Aparigraha:
Let go what not longer serve you, material possessions, relationships, and even certain emotions. Take the chance to embrace simplicity and find contentment within yourself. This principle melts beautifully with the essence of autumn, a season that encourages introspection and the release of what weighs us down.
Brahmacharya:
The essence of this concept lies in moderating one’s energy by controlling desires and attachments, ultimately fostering a state of higher consciousness and inner peace. By practicing this principle, we redirect our focus from external pleasures towards our spiritual and emotional well-being. This season it’s an ideal time to learn to regulate our energy for deeper connections with ourselves and the world around us.
And autumn invites us into a more reflective space, so I see it as an ideal time to declutter and let go unnecessary things (either material or spiritual) and observe how we use our energy. Just as trees let the leaves go and conserve their resources to prepare for winter, we can learn to let go and make a better use of our energies for deeper connections with ourselves and the world around us.
But first things first: Understanding the Metal Element.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, the metal element symbolises purity, structure, and clarity. Fall is the season to restructure things. It’s the perfect season to balance our physical and emotional well being. Just as trees lose their leaves to conserve resources for the winter, we are invited to examine which aspects of our lives need to be pruned. The lungs and large intestine, which are associated with this element, not only govern our breathing but also our ability to take in and let go of emotions and toxins. During autumn, it’s essential to nurture our lungs and intestines and cultivate an awareness of what we need to release. Grief and sadness are the emotions of these organs and during this season we tend to be a bit more melancolich and fall a bit more inwards. Take this chance to listen to your body and give to yourself this time of introspection.
On todays post I would love to explore these concepts and discover practical ways to integrate them into our daily lives during this reflective time.
Practices for Nourishing the Soul
1. Nature Walks and Mindfulness.
Take leisurely walks in nature, observing the changing colours and sounds of autumn. Practice mindfulness by focusing on your breath, inhaling deeply to fill your lungs, and exhaling fully to let go of stress and negativity. This practice not only nourishes your lungs but also invokes a sense of calm and tranquility.
2. Journaling for Clarity.
Set aside time to journal your thoughts and emotions. Write about what you feel you need to release this autumn, like toxic relationships, limiting beliefs, or material possessions that clutter your space. Reflect on how these attachments have served you and how letting go can free you. Ask yourself what desires or habits may be distracting you and where you can practice detachment. This empowers you to prioritise what truly matters, aligning your energy with your soul's purpose and helps you connect with your innermost desires.
3. Breath-work and Meditation.
Incorporate breath work into your daily routine. Try the 4-7-8 technique: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. This regulates your energy and calms your mind. Pair this with a meditation on letting go visualise a leaf floating down from a tree and surrendering to the wind. Imagine yourself releasing everything that no longer supports your highest self.
4. Decluttering Your Space
Autumn is an ideal time for decluttering, aligning with the metal element’s focus on shedding the unnecessary. Tackle one area of your home each week. Donate or recycle items that don’t resonate with you anymore, leaving space for new energy to enter your life. Limit some of your daily activities like reducing screen time, reducing social engagements, or cutting back on material purchases.This not only refreshes your environment but also reflects your inner journey of letting go.
5. Cultivating Gratitude
Embrace a gratitude practice by listing three things each day that you are thankful for. This shifts your focus from what you lack to the abundance already present in your life. Let go of relationships that drain your energy and cultivate deeper connections with those who share your values.Gratitude encourages a sense of detachment, you begin to appreciate what you have without feeling possessive or anxious about gaining more.
6. Evening Reflection Rituals
As the day settles down, set aside a few moments to reflect on your day. Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Consider which emotions or experiences you wish to release, and visualise them leaving your body. This ritual reinforces the balance of energy and effort in your life.
I am so happy to start my inner trip and explore all these practices during autumn. I encourage you to explore introspection, to release all the unnecessary and to nurture your soul through practices rooted in the metal element of Chinese medicine.
By embracing these teachings, you can cultivate a deeper connection with yourselves and the world around you.
By cultivating mindfulness and intentionality in your daily lives, you can nourish your soul and prepare for the introspective winter ahead.
Let autumn be a time of renewal and transformation through the power of introspection.
Happy Autumn yinsters!