AN Autumn pathway to presence

Fully Alive in the Seasons. Autumn Gifts of Presence

I was sitting indoors, my head heavy, shoulders stiff from hours at the laptop, anxiety gnawing at my core about the future and all I can’t control. The endless to-do list, the shifting seasons, the uncertainty of what lies ahead—each thought clouded my mind, pulling me further from the present moment. I glanced out through the window.

Then I knew what I had to do. I decided then and there: it was time. Before the wind and weather strip the trees of their vibrant colours, leaving them bare and stark. I called to my husband - I kept talking to him about the National Trust grounds a short drive away. He had recently arrived from an intense time in Hong Kong and needed a place to breathe and release. Lets go.

We walked, following the path thickly carpeted in leaves . I felt the crisp air on my skin, the scent of the damp earth and layers of leaves filling my senses. We paused, listening to the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees, the crunch of acorns underfoot, and gazed at the flickering golden sunlight filtering through the treetops.

With each step, I let the world alight my senses— I could feel the shift in my body, circulation moving, breath deepening, I recognised the present moment again, connected to a sense of safety, bathing in nature’s gentle wisdom.

This act of surrender—pausing to notice, breathe, and be—is a powerful pathway back to presence. When we allow ourselves to fully experience the natural rhythms of the season, we find moments of awe and wonder that soften anxiety and bring peace. Autumn, in its fiery colours and fleeting beauty, reminds us that change can be beautiful—an opportunity for transformation, not loss.

By using the senses fully—smelling the damp leaves, feeling the cold wind, hearing the crunch of dried twigs and seeds—we anchor ourselves here. We cultivate a mindful appreciation for what is, releasing expectations of how things should be and embracing what is now. This simple act opens the door for healing and clarity, balance and acceptance amid all the uncertainties.

I invite you to step outside at least once a day. Nature’s revelations reconnect you to your centre.

For those in the world now in the midst of autumn, here is an imagination: let into your being the magnificent warmth of the maturing colours, observe the gradual falling of the leaves, feel the reminder of the beauty in both delighting in what has been and in surrendering expectations compassionately, trusting in the natural cycles of change.

Before the winds sweep away the last of the season’s vibrant leaves, immerse yourself—breathe deeply, listen, and truly be in the fullness of this season’s gift.

Embrace this moment of autumn’s magic— sometimes the best way to find ourselves is to lose ourselves fully in nature’s wise rhythms.