It’s been coming for some time now. Cooler nights. Longer nights. While we have enjoyed one of the driest
periods of time on record in the PNW we all know what is coming next. Clouds and mist.
Before we go rushing into the future, anticipating the need
for rain boots, a waterproof coat and a change of clothing; or pining for our
single layer summer days; let’s pause and observe what has been creeping up on
us, the autumnal equinox. For a single
day in the autumn and a single day in spring, the balance between light and
dark on the planet is even. The opposing
qualities of light flitter into brief harmony.
Interestingly enough, the concept of duality or opposing
qualities has been following me around like an annoying little sibling (much
love to my three younger siblings!) When
something presents itself over and over in my life, I have learned to pause and
reflect on what I might need to learn from this concept.
Our minds have a need to create order
and categorize. When we were running
around with little less than sticks, rocks and trees to protect ourselves, this
served us rather well. It helped us
survive. Buddhist thought asks us to step out of the duality of good and bad,
right and wrong and accept all aspects of life as experience. I often speak about this as radical acceptance
or big love.
Being a human being means, we have an
amazing capacity for emotion. It runs
the gauntlet from high to low. I am
learning more and more to value the lows.
To stop running away from frustration, irritation and embarrassment and
to sit with it. To say to myself, oh,
this is what anger feels like in my body, in my mind, and in my energy.
The question then becomes could I hold
with as much love the parts of my life and myself that I dislike as much as
those parts that I do like? Could I
practice radical acceptance, not only a narrow like for the ease in my life but
a love without borders for every part of my life? The effort for this kind of living must be
fierce. But with practice, as with all
things, it gets easier every day.
On this day after the equinox, I choose
to appreciate the highs and lows in my day.
I am reminded of the dual necessity of summer and winter, light and
dark, a season of growth and a season of rest.
Balance, by design, is all inclusive….
big love!
