Getting to the Root
Solar Term 21 | Dec 6 – Dec 20 Low Expectations It was a grey day, windy and cold, with just a dusting of snow on top of ice. It was the kind of day where it was hard to be outside. Even walking was a challenge on the trail after being beaten up with […]
The Balance of Happiness and Suffering
The Alpine cold arrived early this year. A couple of weeks in, and my clinic is busy. Some days the waitlist is 1, 3, or even 5 people. There are voicemail messages from people seeking relief from pain, speaking with tight voices from holding back tears. Loved ones are dying. Joints are aching. Cancer is […]
Winter Reflection in the Light of the Moon
Solar Term 19 | November 7 – November 21 Moon Light and Moon Shadow The short days of November catch me off guard. Most nights, we walk the dogs after dark, lighting the way with headlamps and reflective collars. As we walk, I am aware that the small circle of light produced by the headlamp […]
Transforming Grief and Letting Go
Solar Term 18 | October 21 – November 7 There is land behind my house that needs attention. Every day I walk past, trying to create a vision of its potential. It’s been neglected for so long that it feels downtrodden. I walk through the plants pulling invasive weeds, inspecting the earth, and thinking of […]
Aging Gracefully
Solar Term 17 | October 8 – October 21 Graceful leaves It is fascinating to watch the leaves change as they stop making food for the plants and trees. Each day as the sun retreats a little more, the leaves transform from being green and helpful to a stunning array of red, orange, and gold. […]
Powering Down: Dusk, Sleep, and the Autumn Equinox
Solar Term 16 | September 22 – October 7 Night comes quickly this time of year. In a blink of an eye, the light turns from dusk to night. One evening I paused to watch the light fade. As my vision dulled from the low light, I felt myself shift. My ears opened to the […]
Cooling Down to Become Calm, Focused, and Energized
Solar Term 15 | September 7 – September 22 White Dew Each morning when I step outside, I wonder what nature will bring me. Sometimes it’s a subtle difference in light and temperature. Other times it is pretty unique – glittery frost, a beautiful sunrise, or a buck running across the field. Last week it […]
Creating Order from Chaos
Solar Term 14 | August 22 – Sept 6 Chaos Making sense of things is one reason why I started paying attention to the way Nature shows up in ourselves. Life can be very disorienting at times and I was looking for a place to orient in order to create a sense of order in […]
Summer Stagnation
Solar Term 13 | August 7 – August 21 Hiking the big mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies requires a level of focus and concentration that is unparalleled in my modern multi-tasking life. Walking across a scree field along the edge of a ridge leaves little room for mistakes. A small unfortunate misstep could require […]
Between the Shadow and the Soul
Solar Term 12 | July 22 – August 6 I don’t tolerate the heat very well. As the days get hotter I seek higher and higher altitudes to escape the heat. This week I was fortunate to spend time in the high mountains riding my mountain bike through alpine meadows filled with blooming wild flowers, […]