Who cares about ‘reflection’ says ‘Harry the Hamster’ – peddling away at full speed on his hamster wheel. 

Time for Reflection
Most people, most of the time are so actively seeking something else, outside of them-self, that they are not quiet enough to actually see them-self. There’s certain times that’s ideal for reflection. As an example, at the end of each day. Also, autumn is the ideal season of reflection.

Reflection is about being in a more passive phase. In this relaxing phase, we’re more-so quietly reviewing upon how things appear as a reflection of who we are.  To see something for how it really is, we need to become more of a silent witness, to be still to observe and reflect.

The Power of Reflection
Everything in this world has many aspects. We may see the polarisation of day and night, and the many active and passive phases of nature. For everything that seems apparent, there’s also another less obvious side. These are the hidden aspects, we’ve failed to observe. Yet, as we can embrace an overall perspective of all things, we may become  clearer about who we are and how we relate to the world around us. Hence, we become more whole. Embracing a ‘holistic’ perspective can help to resolve many conflicts in our life.

Revelations
Re-evaluation allows us to step back and see our-self from a different perspective. Most problems are due to conflict. Most conflict is from only seeing just one isolated perspective. However, everything in this world has many aspects. We may awaken to realisations as we review those various different aspects of our life. Maybe we may realise what has been working for us and those parts that haven’t been working for us.
This re-evaluation gives us the opportunity to change these parts of our for the better.

Tis the Season of Transformation
Most people usually consider that Autumn is just that season of transition from summer to winter. It’s typically when the temperature starts to cool down a little, the daylight gradually becomes a little shorter and the nights longer. It’s when the trees start to loose their leaves again. Yet, in essence, Autumn actually means much more than that.

Living with the Seasons
As we are a part of nature, also the cycles of the seasons are within us. Yet, now-a-days, most people are just so busy, pounding away on the treadmill at full speed, they barely slow down to take notice of these cycles. The quality of our life reflects how well we care about our-self. This in turn, reflects our our relationship with nature. Simply put, if we don’t care about our relationship with nature, hence the true nature of our-self, we’re not loving our-self..

Most people tend to think that the more resources they can accumulate, the more powerful they become. Yet, transformation is much more about letting-go. Autumn is the season of letting-go. As we let-go, we transform. Each time, as we reflect, we bring the past closer to the present. As we re-connect, it allows us to resolve and integrate these issues that s’s being holding us back in the past. As we’re more integrated, we’re more living in the present moment.

Beyond Balance
Autumn is half way between the peak and lowest aspect of the year. As a way to reflect upon this, we may see, just as 6pm is half way between day and night. This is the transitional time to take a moment and pay our respects to the passing day and the impending dark. Much more than just the time of balance, it’s the culmination of power of how these two forces come together. More-so than merely a meeting, it’s about the  integration of these aspects of nature and our-self. Hence, Autumn is the season to reflect and integrate the many aspects of our-self to so as we may emerge more powerful than before.

Wisdom
From reflection comes wisdom. Autumn is also the magical season of maturity and wisdom. In ‘Traditional Oriental Medicine’, Autumn correlates with the element ‘metal’, which is about conductivity, giving and receiving, letting-go and change. It’s about reflection in our ‘maturity’ phase. From this comes wisdom, revelations, empowerment, and growth!

Transformation of Consciousness
Once Autumn arrives, traditionally, it’s the time to gather the harvests from summer and determine what is needed for the upcoming hibernation of winter. To help get things in perspective, let’s compare the whole year to a day. We may consider autumn as being the late afternoon to early evening period of each day. At this time of day, it’s the ideal time to reflect upon the daily activities, to evaluate how well we did, and maybe to learn our lessons in preparation for the next days adventures.

Celebration time
To honour the end of an era is a great time to celebrate. Like-wise, we may consider Autumn as the end of the active phase of the year. Perhaps this is also the ideal season to take part in celebrations. Take this opportunity to be grateful for what you’ve achieved since spring. As we reflect, we may contemplate and be grateful for what we have. This will also prepare us for the up-coming seasons.

Contemplation
Autumn is the season when the buzzing activity of summer dies down and the excitement of life outdoors begins to relax into the more evenly paced, more predictable rhythm of fall. Reflect upon ways you may re-connect more to your inner-self.  This is the time to contemplate how to go more within. Maybe, practice meditate or do more gentle exercises like ‘Tai-chi’ or ‘Yoga’. Find your ‘inner-balance’, in much the same way that the external world finds its balance on the Autumn equinox.

Self-Development
Self growth and development is much about gaining a greater appreciation and gratitude of who we are and how we’re connected to the various aspects of our-self and our life.  Remember, Autumn the season of balance and reflection, following the theme of equal hours light and dark. It’s also the time of giving thanks for all that we have. Traditionally, it may have been seen as for the harvest of crops. In these modern times, it may also be about having gratitude for the abundance of also other blessings.

Practical Tips
Consider some practical ways you can celebrate the essence of Autumn. Take some time to sit beside water, a lake pond or river and to reflect upon nature. Find ways to re-connect with nature, such as with bush walks. is day of bounty and abundance. Autumn is the season to get rid of any emotional baggage you’re dragging around with you. Accept that there are darker aspects to life, and embrace them, but don’t let them rule you. Appreciate ways that a healthy life finds balance in all things. Practice meditating on balance, opening to see other aspects of life that were no previously so apparent. Also, remember to count our blessings.

Learn More 
You can learn more about ‘Living with the Seasons’ in the upcoming ‘Awakening Awareness’ seminar which is the introduction of the ‘Holistic Life-style Mentoring ‘ course. For the full article – please register to become a member – & log-in the members site

Also, to find out more – come along and join us for the free seminar: ‘Awakening-Awareness’ – to book – please click here –