For some of us, the change of seasons from summer to fall means watching the beauty of green leaves on the trees disappear as the leaves change color and eventually fall to the ground. Even with the captivating beauty of Fall colors, there can be a sense of losing something precious as the green disappears. Some of us have found that the shift from lush leaves of summer to bare branches and trunks of trees offers an often unexpected opportunity to see the unique shapes of trees. We discover that there are no two trees exactly alike and that under all those leaves branches and trunks were “dancing”, creating previously hidden and intricate patterns.
This practice invites us to discover the beauty in what is around us, even when we may feel that the beauty we love is being lost. For this practice, offer yourself an opportunity to seek out what fills you up in a way that nourishes your eyes, your heart, your soul. This might be a visual discovery, maybe a building you had never noticed before that you somehow see in a new way, perhaps being drawn to the artistry of the architect. Maybe it is the sound of something that you haven’t paid attention to until now. Many people have felt the experience of discovering the silence that comes after a snowfall–the “sound” of silence.
Whatever it is, orient your awareness to discovering beauty in some of the everyday things you encounter all the time. Look for something new, something previously unrecognized. Discover or enhance your experience of the fact that our intention to find beauty orients our perceptions and awareness to do just that.
Here’s an audio version of the written information below, if you prefer to listen to it.
