Fear, Creativity, and Wisdom
Now when the veil between worlds is said to be the thinnest, we can catch a glimpse of the forces behind the "ordinary." We play with the unknown and fear, looking directly at what is deathly and gruesome, being a scared, and being scary . Many traditions celebrate death or at least take a good hard look at it. Pictured here is Kali, one of the scariest fearless goddesses I have ever encountered.
Whether your preparing the favorite foods of your ancestors, dressing up as a demon, or drawing in around the wood stove (or all of the above), during this juncture between the fall equinox and the winter solstice our perception of possibility is greatly enhanced.
Ayurveda encourages us to ride the current of the season, and I encourage you to nurture your brain. The moving air and shifting light can have a dispersing effect on our minds and bodies, but with skill we can bring the elemental forces into balance and channel that movement from a fearful place into receiving knowledge and engaging in deep learning. Awaken your creative response and neural plasticity. Contrary to what was previous believed about aging, no matter how chronologically challenged one may be, all of us remain capable of forming connections in the nervous system. Throughout our lives there is the possibility to grow your brain.
The time is upon us to take some time wrangling the mind with a meditative practice, bringing in the earth element in the form of a settled, rooted and stable mind and regular practice. The water element is reflective of the flow of knowledge and consciousness. The River Goddess Saraswati (pictured to the left) is the goddess of learning, wisdom, and all the creative arts. The white lotus she is shown seated upon represents supreme knowledge, and she plays the "veena," which conveys that the seeker must tune her mind and intellect in order to live in harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
As we kindle fires in the hearth, we can also invite the transformative element of fire into the mind by providing the fuel for empassioned learning. According to Deepak Chopra, MD, "Although you may no longer think of yourself as a creative or imaginative person, your very existence is evidence of your innate creativity. In every moment you are co-creating your reality through your thoughts, your intentions, your words and your actions. We all have unlimited creative potential because our essential nature is pure consciousness."
Cultivating the spark for learning can be challenging, but we now have more tools available to us than ever, and many of them are free. Whether it's calling together a book club, or finding a new podcast that inspires you, know that learning keeps us growing and evolving. Need even more encouragement? Visit the resource tab on the website.
As for me, I am definitely stretching into possibility in November, and facing down some fears. I will be headed to India for a Yoga and Ayurveda Immersion! I am drawn to traveling to the birthplace of yoga, the home of many sages, and sacred temples. I love to travel, and engage in intensive yoga training. As a mom of two young children, this feels like taking a big leap into the unknown. On this trip I will be visiting places beyond my imagination and comprehension, like the Meenakshi Temple to the Goddess pictured here. What could be better?
