On Autumn, and Seeking Simplicity

​As we move further into the season of autumn, the energetic of the metal element sparkles with increasing brilliance and clarity.  The Five Element healing wisdom from Chinese Medicine teaches us that the metal element is about letting go of what is not needed (the dead leaves of autumn) while holding onto and cherishing what is precious to us (the gold dust in our lives).  This means that fall is the perfect time of year to focus on simplification, and paring down to what is essential. 

Now is a good time to ask ourselves what we are ready to let go of, so that we make more room for what is really of value to us.  One way we can practice letting go is to actually go through our homes and "purge" any of our physical possessions that we no longer personally need or value.  Donating these things to charity organizations is a simple act of generosity, and the clearing out of one's living space can have a profound effect on one's mental and psychic clarity.

In addition to physical decluttering of our living spaces, we can also go a little deeper to simplify on the psychological and spiritual levels.  It can be helpful to look at all the ways in which we over-clutter our own minds.  A profound medicine for me personally on this level is daily meditation.  I think it really is an ultimate medicine for all of us, as it allows one to access the clear open sky within one's consciousness.

Read More