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 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven 
                                    Ecclesiastes 3:1  


Autumn draws me into a reflective embrace.  The misty air, the golden leaves, the noisy call of geese winging their way southward, all these lead me inward. I relish autumn’s quiet way of doing this.  At the same time, I resist autumn. Mainly because it pokes “death” in my face everywhere I turn.  I don’t want to let go of summer’s warmth and energizing green. I resist the inherent message of impermanence reflected in this season. 

Letting go is absolutely essential in order for change to occur. All the major spiritual teachings hold this belief – we can’t grow unless we let go. So, who of us passionately desires relinquishment?  Not me. This call, to love what is but not cling to it, has been a long time challenge. Every autumn I turn and face the big question: how to cherish who and what I have but to hold these gifts freely, with open hands and heart. I think I am getting better at it, but I still sense some latent resistance.

If we want to be spiritually transformed it is essential to include letting go as part of our journey. Each autumn I now seek inspiration from those dying leaves gathering in ever deeper layers on the ground. As the trees let go of what enabled them to sip of the nourishing rays of summer sun, their falling leaves will eventually become a rich humus to nourish spring’s greening growth. If I stay open to the inner and outer changes that naturally arise, (if I dance more and drag my feet less about impermanence), my life can be a nourishing source for personal and world transformation. I hope the same for you.


Prayer for Autumn Days   by Joyce Rupp

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; 
there is a time for dying and a time for rising. 
We need courage to enter into the transformation process. 

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye 
to their green, letting go of what has been. 
We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk.
Help us to let go when we need to do so. 

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on 
the ground, our lives have their own patterns. 
As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them. 

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always 
the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. 
We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. 
May we gain strength from this. 

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts 
of growth lie within the season of our surrender. 
We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. 
Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings. 

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables 
us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. 
We yearn for insight and vision. 

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, 
may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons. 

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, 
you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. 
For all this, we are grateful. Amen