Photo Credit: Jack Slagle via Flickr
Today’s gratitude meditation took me on a wonderful journey throughout revisiting my entire seasonal year, and giving a nod to my accomplishments, and a hug to all those things I have had to lay aside or place upon the proverbial ‘back burner’. I was given a gentle and simple reminder: Give gratitude for an Earth that is tilted at just the right angle, in order to give us our seasons.
These words are from the wise and gentle Zen Master Nissim Amon: “Zen monasteries are always deep in the mountains, residing in nature. The four seasons are very distinct in Japan and Korea. Winters are cold, there is snow, everything freezes and you can actually walk on water.
Winter – a perfect time for meditation, for reflecting, for waiting, for relaxing oneself, for finding the gap between the thoughts. In Springtime, the snow melts and there are new sounds and smells on the air.
Summer is hot. The Summer in the monastery, is when it is difficult to sit, you sweat. Autumn is when the leaves turn red and maroon and yellow and brown, dancing in the forest, covering everything. So beautiful.
Four beautiful seasons, teaching us the constant change and flow of nature. Meditating in nature, you learn so much.
There once was a very wise man in China, emperors used to consult with him. His day job was as a boat man, taking people across the river. People used to ask him, how do you know so much? He answered, everything I know, the river has taught me.
Being part of nature, accepting the flow. Like the water flows through the landscape, down the mountain, you too let everything flow through you. Do not try to grab anything. Do not try to hold it. Just let it go, and things will go their own way.
Open your heart, knowing, loving, being part of nature. Rejoicing. Thank you Louie (Schwartzberg), and Mentors Channel, for this wonderful gratitude program. Let gratitude ease the gateway to enter becoming one with the One. I am holding my palms together to all of you, in Gratitude.”
Daily Insight:
We are blessed to live in a world of changing seasons with special gifts in each one. Be grateful for change, for newness, for differences, and for the miraculous dependability of the ever changing world.
Quote of the Day:
“In the depth of winter, I have finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.” -Albert Camus
Daily Thought:
As I stay in gratitude for the change of seasons, I welcome change in my life.
I like the way you made the analogy between changing seasons and changes in life!
Lovely sentiments. We are having very little of spring here, it was cold, and now summer is close to embrace.
Great post. I try to find a quote or affirmation to tell myself everyday. I think it helps to have something to keep you positive and motivated. Thanks for this great post.
That picture looks very relaxing, my relaxing time is on my couch early in the morning reading my Bible.
I totally agree!
Though when it’s been -30 for over a week it’s hard to think of it as a good thing. I love the idea of reflecting of past growths and achievements!
It proves that even if we don’t know the way we are still walking and growing ;0)
I love all seasons. They have their rough moments but that makes the good moments so much better.
Meditation Is Such A Great Way To Escape Even If It’s Only For A While & So Relaxing Thank You For Sharing!!
Beautiful. Love the way you incorporate the seasons. Fall is my favorite!
thank to yoga am really learning to meditate more with a baby on the way sometimes it feels having my baby with me makes the experience more wonderful,
I totally agree, Maria 🙂 I hold much more reverence for everything since having my children.
This is a beautiful and peaceful way to help me start my morning today! I agree that we really should take time to think about what we have done the past year and be proud of ourselves!
This seems even more wise and insightful given our really, really long and rough winter this past year!
Great words. I try to appreciate each season of life but some are more enjoyable than others.
Beautiful photo, and lovely sentiments. I, too, am grateful for a Creator that tilted the earth on it’s axis just right.
I love that Spring is here and we can appreciate LIFE to its fullest! Whenever I step outside I’m always appreciative and grateful for all nature has to offer!
We have Spring right now and it’s been so strange, a mix of super cold weather and super humid weather, but there’s always a nice in between.
The analogy really makes sense. Sometimes when I’m really, really looking at nature and this wondrous earth, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for it.
As much as I complained about this horribly long winter, I have to say I love that there are four seasons and we get to anticipate the arrival of each one for different reasons – Katy