Autumn

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-even’s run’

(To Autumn, John Keats)

Welcome to Our Spiritual Earth as she shines in all her beauty in these Golden Days of Autumn. It’s been a busy Summer for us here at OSE - we continue in our meditation, awakening/awareness and ‘every day a schoolday’ journey, doing our best, as Ram Dass says to ‘be here now’.

As the airwaves become more heavy ( with rumblings of trouble) than an apple tree laden with fruit in Autumn, we have a responsibility to ourselves and others to focus on the good, the positive, the hopeful.

We are not always aware of the impact a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand can have on another and on ourselves too, for to quote from that first environmentalist, St. Francis of Assissi, it is in giving that we receive.

We are sending and receiving information from our bodies and minds at all times; our moods, expressions and thoughts have an impact on ourselves and on all others too. While we are all creators of our own reality, we often don’t understand or take responsibility for what we are creating with our own thoughts words and actions.

The key is awareness. Once we notice our mood in the moment, the scowl or frown on our face, we can change it. A simple act such as pausing to take a few breaths before we head out to the shop can bring us into the now, into the awareness of what energy we’re bringing out with us. The pause allows us to let go of the energy, of the defensiveness, the judgement, the anger, before we pass it on to someone else, for we are always giving and receiving, always interacting with the energy around us.

Everyone is in better form on a sunny day, aware too, though maybe not always consciously, of the impact a smile or a nice complement has on how we feel; how devastated we can be when criticised or judged harshly.

So in this glorious season as Mother Earth shows off her magnificent colours, let us show off our own magnificent smiles, our joy in being gifted life on this extraordinaryily beautiful planet, our delight in friendship and in love. Let us breath in the good clear air, feel our feet on the ground, and use the ‘superpower of our focus’ (as astrologer Pam Gregory call our ability to focus) to keep our own vibrations nice and high and to have a loving impact on all whom we meet. After all, as the old saying goes, ‘there’s so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us that it ill becomes any of us to talk about the rest of us’.

Photo - New York public library

We each have a relationship with our planet

Our connection to the Earth transcends surface appearances; it's a profound integration of our existence with the very essence of our planet. As Thich Nhat Hanh the Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet and teacher, eloquently expressed, that this realisation engenders a deep love for our world, erasing the illusion of separation.

The Earth encompasses us at all times, not merely as the ground beneath our feet but as the source of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us.

We aren't just inhabitants; we are the Earth itself, carrying its legacy within us. This awareness transforms our relationship with our planet, urging us to tread gently and care for it with newfound reverence.

Recognizing this unity reveals the Earth as a living entity, pulsating in harmony with us. We become a vibrant manifestation of this beautiful planet, and our survival is irrevocably linked to its well-being. It’s more important than ever that we act with respect to our planet with our daily actions.

Love blossoms when we bridge the perceived gap between ourselves and the Earth, compelling us to care for our home as we would for a beloved.

Embracing this interconnectedness, we embrace our role as stewards of the Earth, critical for its survival and, ultimately, our own.

This shift in our Earthly relationship isn't merely a choice; it's a necessity, a call to honour the interconnectedness.

What will you do to make a difference?

Some of the ideas which our members have found to be supportive and helpful at this time are listed below;

Positive and affirmative messages are always beneficial.
It is important to support those in our wider communities with kindness and good advice as they move through transitions in their lives - transitions to new states of being, to letting go, to moving forward in their lives.
Positive blogs are shared on our website.
In the headlines at the moment is the topic of ever increasing costs and global warming. There is always an encouragement for participation in earth friendly activities such as recycling – reusing shopping bags, composting waste, sorting household refuse, gardening - planting seeds, using non-chemical products, tending gardens with Mother Nature’s diary in mind. Leaving the car at home whenever possible, using a bicycle or simply walking. Making small changes make such a big difference.
Most of all, we do our very best in our own lives to 'walk the walk' of our own private spiritual practice, by taking care of ourselves, supporting each other and those around us and loving Our Spiritual Earth.

Gatherings and events

Please see our Gathering and Events page HERE, for more details on regular and upcoming special days in our calendar.