Reverencing Winter’s Journey

How often do you honor nature’s winter rhythm of slowing down, getting still, and quieting body and mind to rest and prepare for spring’s emergence? We live in a time and culture antithetical to quiet reflection and rest. This season is a paradox. It is dark and cold. Many if us feel anxious, disoriented and unsettled. Yet, the holiday lights are twinkling and the solstice that signals returning light is just a few short days/weeks away. This season, we must give ourselves permission to turn inward, withdraw into silence’s loving embrace, and reflect on how we want to emerge in the spring to serve creation, others, and ourselves.

Wisdom teachers tell us that spiritual maturity is being able to honor these conflicting thoughts and feelings without trying to reconcile them. Like these teachers, we look to nature and Spirit as our guides, asking “ What does winter mean for me and Earth, our common home? How is this period of darkness and quiet stillness essential in nature and in my life? How are we adapting and embracing the season?” Using guided meditations, prayer, praise, nature exploration, silent reflection, storytelling, and ceremony we weave together practices of contemplation and action. Preparing for winter means remaining resilient in troubled times while welcoming inner stillness to nourish our spirit to prepare for new beginnings and making change for the common good.