Phoenix Rising: Welcomes - The Season of Radiance (Patreon)

Hello Patrons! This September, I have vowed to “be here now.” You see, I have a seasonal obstacle that I call my Vata situation. For those of you familiar with the Ayurvedic doshas, you know that autumn, the season of dry air, shifting winds, pecans and dead leaves covering the ground, is heavy with Vata. As the summer ends, and autumn looms on the horizon, I can feel that shift of Vata within myself.

For years, I slept surrounded by yoga bolsters and a multitude of pillows because it soothed my insomnia. My body would be tired, but my mind would wake at three or four in the morning. It was too early to rise, and I knew I needed the sleep, so I learned to prop myself up with bolsters and pillows and let the weight and support put my senses at ease.

If I couldn’t sleep, at least I could deeply relax.

There was something about being held in place that helped. Instead of fighting wakefulness, I could make myself comfortable inside it.

It used to happen every year during autumn. This September, I am celebrating the balance of “be here now.” I have more practices in place for maintaining healthy rhythms, along with the hope that I can prevent those bouts of insomnia before they begin.

One way I have started is by defining what it means, at this time in my life, to be grounded.

Being grounded is the capacity to center oneself and expand.

I like this definition because grounding does not mean becoming still or small. It requires a master-level sense of calm and creativity: enough steadiness to know where you are, and enough spaciousness to see where you might go.

So this month, I am practicing against the impulse to add more simply for the sake of getting busy.

It’s not that I’m feeling less ambitious or less interested in what comes next. It’s actually about ensuring that my ambition and direction become even more apparent. When I stop filling every available space, I can better recognize what serves and deserves my attention.

This season, the practice is:

Instead of rushing, inhabit the transition.

Lot's of good things ahead this month.