Picture: Tree of Four Seasons
September has always been a time of new beginnings for me, perhaps it started with it being the commencement of a new school year. But, it is not just that, all through my adult years I have noticed it is a time of launching a new phase in my life. While nature around me is in harvest and preparation for winter, I have a springtime of new generations being planted.
This September we are also experiencing a harvest, finishing renovations to the house; we are now sporting a first-floor apartment and Rebecca is moving in. It is always interesting to be eyeing up the completion of a larger project, an additional rush of energy to complete what had been started some time ago. With this completion of a project in sight and the newness of a “sadhaka in the side-door,” I also feel there is something new with the Work I do for God and Gurus. It is now in the seedling stage, but I feel the hallmarks of its coming.
Every life has beginnings, times of growth and then the harvest or completions built into a natural rhythm. However, due to the fact that many of us live lives insulated from the seasons–work indoors and have jobs that do not reflect changes in nature (50 weeks of regulated hours with 2 weeks of vacation)–it can make us insensate to what should be a natural cycle for the body, mind and soul. This comatose sense of sameness makes us dull to miraculous life occurring all around us.
We thrive best when, like a farmer or gardener, we feel in synch with when it is time to prepare new ground and sow seeds, to water and fertilize those seeds and watch them sprout and grow to the light, gather the fruit of those labors in grateful harvest and then enter a winter-time rest. In that time of rest we focus on the still-state from which all creation comes. And, when God is ready, new cycles of growth begin anew. Of course, life does not always operate in such defined beginnings, middles and ends as a farmer’s life does, but if we pay attention we will see such cycles operating in our lives.
God creates in you, and you feel a stirring when something new is coming forward. New beginnings are exciting times of discovery, a fresh energy coming into life. Some people hold back from new beginnings because it threatens the status quo, but this blocks the renewal of life—fear becomes a terrible denial of life. Some are good at beginnings, but are not steady in cultivating that new growth, giving the energy over time that is required to bring the creation to fruition. Drawing upon inner strength and determination you overcome all obstacles and bring the creation to its natural completion. In harvest, you celebrate and taste the fruit of creation—you feel the fulfilment of what has been brought about. Some do not take the time for this acknowledgement and celebration but are busy, off on the next thing. It is important to be, even as God is with each stage of creation, standing back and saying, “It is good.” Then comes wintertime rest, deepening contact with God in the still-state, drawing from the all-powerful Spirit, renewing your soul and preparing yourself spiritually for a new season—to dream new dreams.
Your inner spiritual life also goes in such cycles. So, do not become dulled to new life surging forward in your spiritual practice. Be sure to put in the hard work to increase those sacred seeds in their growth, reap the harvest of peace and bliss with joy. Then merge your little self with the Supreme Self in complete stillness. Your spiritual life reflects, like all of life, these cycles—stay alive to your own rhythm of growth so that you may reap the great harvest of fulfillment God has in mind for you.